Samuel N Araya

Soil Data Scientist

I am passionate about data science, machine learning, and geospatial analysis to address soil and environmental challenges.

My experience ranges from traditional field and lab-based research to modern techniques such as machine learning and unmanned aircraft systems.

I have a Ph.D. and M.S. degrees from the University of California Merced and a post-doctoral research experiece at Stanford University.

⬇️ Download my resumé/curriculum vitae.

Interests

Soils
Data science
Machine learning
Spatial analysis

Education

PhD in Environmental Systems (Soil Physics), 2019
University of California, Merced
MSc in Environmental Systems (Soil Biogeochemistry), 2014
University of California, Merced
BSc in Land Resources and Environment, 2006
Asmara University

Technical Skills

R | Python | JavaScript

Machine Learning

GIS

Publications

Samuel N Araya, Mitchell, J. P., Hopmans, J. W., Ghezzehei, T. A. (2022). Long-term impact of cover crop and reduced disturbance tillage on soil pore size distribution and soil water storage. SOIL.

Mitchell, J. P., Shrestha, A., Epstein, L., Dahlberg, J. A., Ghezzehei, T. A., Samuel N Araya, Richter, B., Kaur S., Henry, P., Munk, D. S., Light, S., Bottens, M., Zaccaria, D. (2022). No-Tillage Sorghum and Garbanzo Yields Match or Exceed Standard Tillage Yields. California Agriculture.

Samuel N Araya, Fryjoff-Hung, A., Anderson, A., Viers, J. H., Ghezzehei, T. A. (2021). Advances in Soil Moisture Retrieval from Multispectral Remote Sensing Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Machine Learning Techniques. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences.

Samuel N Araya, Fryjoff-Hung, A., Anderson, A., Viers, J. H., Teamrat A Ghezzehei (2020). Machine Learning Based Soil Moisture Retrieval from Unmanned Aircraft System Multispectral Remote Sensing. IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium.

Samuel N Araya, Teamrat A Ghezzehei (2019). Using Machine Learning for Prediction of Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity and Its Sensitivity to Soil Structural Perturbations. Water Resources Research.

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