A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Social Sciences student pursuing an Undergraduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Science has been awarded one of 21 national scholarships totaling $125,000 from the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF).
Louis Catalano’s research interests focus on unmanned aerial systems and their innovative application in geospatial information science (GIS), remote sensing and geomatics.
Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) refers to the knowledge about human activity derived from analyzing imagery, signals or signatures with geospatial information.
“Receiving a 2023 USGIF scholarship is a tremendous honor,” Catalano said. “This award will allow me to pursue an education in GIS and further develop my skills and research in the geospatial intelligence field. Equipped with this knowledge, I look forward to volunteering my new skills to help communities around the world.”
USGIF CEO Ronda Schrenk, added, “By means of the scholarship program, USGIF can provide support to the most exceptional students aspiring to enter the GEOINT field. This year, we received an unprecedented number of applications, and I am confident that the recipients will bring immeasurable value to our community.”
Catalano earned his bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering with a minor in science, technology and society from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Geospatial Information Science program is housed in the UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences Department of Geography and Environment.
