Jennifer FERNANDO
Advice in environmental strategy
& Earth observations by satellites
Succeed the transition to a more sustainable and resilient land management thanks to Earth-observation satellite data
Independent advisor specialized in environmental strategy based on Earth-observation satellite data
Passionate about the world around us, I wanted very young to explore the Earth and beyond. So, I decided to study geology at the University of Paris-Sud (now the University of Paris Saclay) then at the University of Pierre and Marie Curie (now the University of Sorbonne), where I developed the fundamental bases in the field of Earth sciences.
After getting my master's degree in Geosciences in 2011, I started a thesis at the University of Paris-Sud at the Géosciences Paris Saclay laboratory. I obtained my doctoral degree in Earth Sciences in 2014. The research focused on studying the surface of Mars to better understand the past and current geological history of the Red Planet by analyzing remote sensing space data from NASA and ESA exploration missions.
I continued my studies as a researcher at the University of Paris-Sud, then at the University of Claude Bernard in Lyon, and finally at the University of Arizona in Tucson in the US. I improved my skills in the acquisition, processing, and analysis of space remote sensing data (multi-band, hyperspectral, multi-geometric optical imagery). As a researcher, I developed innovative tools based on the analysis of satellite data to derive physico-chemical parameters for better understanding the evolution of the atmosphere and the surface of planetary bodies. This information that comprises the inventory of gases and aerosols in the atmosphere, water, and carbon dioxide reservoirs, landform erosion as well as volcanic and sedimentary activities in different geological periods, is essential to understand the environment and past climate change on a terrestrial planet. I worked on several space missions such as the high-resolution camera HiRISE and the hyperspectral multiangular imager CRISM onboard the NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, the CaSSIS camera onboard the ESA EXOMARS spacecraft, and recently the pointed spectrometer NIR3 onboard the JAXA Hayabusa-2 mission.
By studying our solar system bodies, I became more aware of the singularity of our planet: there is not a planet B. This new vision of our world led me to get involved in fighting against climate change and in protecting our environment.
To achieve this new personal and professional objective, I decided to study environmental policy at Science Po Paris. This training gave me the skills to master up-to-date political strategies to solve environmental issues and promoting sustainable development while taking into account legal, economic, and social dimensions.
I applied this dual skill within the French Water Partnership (FWP), a platform gathering French public and private stakeholders from the water sector. I coordinated the working group dedicated to issues related to water resources and climate change. I participated in (i) advocating so that water becomes a priority in sustainable development policies at the international level (e.g., climate COP), (ii) promoting French know-how internationally and, (iii) facilitating know-how exchanges between French and international stakeholders.
I also have experience in higher education (bachelor's and master's levels) in Geosciences. I taught the elementary notions of Earth sciences (e.g., petrology, sedimentology, mineralogy, geographic information systems) at the University of Paris-Sud. I am also interested in knowledge and experience sharing, and I regularly give seminars for the general public and interviews to the media and write articles.
Today, my will is to support you in more sustainable land and natural resource management using space innovation to contribute together to a fairer world and more respectful of our environment.
