The Coastal & Watershed Analytics Lab is a research team led by Dr. Natalie Nelson in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. We characterize and model nonpoint source pollution in inland and coastal waters, and take a watershed-scale approach to studying where and why nonpoint source pollution occurs. More specifically, studies in the lab investigate:
How food production systems (i.e., agriculture and mariculture) influence, and are influenced by, water quality
Ways in which climate-driven changes in freshwater and sea level affect water quality and aquatic species
Methods for combining models (statistical, machine learning, process-based) and environmental monitoring data to create decision-support tools and products, like forecasts, for water/coastal resource managers
Most of our projects use data science methods by analyzing and synthesizing observations from a range of data sources, including satellite and aerial imagery, high- and low-frequency observations from in situ sampling programs, and geospatial databases. We also lead field studies involving in situ sampling and sensing to fill gaps in existing monitoring programs.
In addition to research, we educate students in the engineering, agricultural, and life sciences on the appropriate use and interpretation of data analytics and models, as well as principles of coding and applied data analysis.