Crista L Straub, PhD

Dr. Straub earned a PhD in interdisciplinary human dimensions of natural resources. Her current work focuses on Earth observations – better understanding the users, applications, and socioeconomic value of Earth observation data. She supports a broad range of sectors - including agriculture, timber, water resource management, and many more applications - by assessing the value of Earth observation data, particularly from Landsat, and its integration with other satellite and in situ data.  Collaborating with federal agencies, she evaluates the economic and societal benefits of satellite imagery, including its role in decision-making.  Her research methods comprise primary mixed methods data collection using such tools as focus groups, socioeconomic surveys, in-depth interviews, case studies, and social network analysis.  By integrating varying information resources, she explores how Landsat data supports decision-making and demonstrates economic value.  Through her projects, she aims to enhance the understanding and practical application of Earth observation data, strengthening the benefits across users and sectors.