International Association of Women Recognizes Judy Daniels, Ph.D., as a 2018-2019 Influencer

CHICAGO, November 27, 2018 (Newswire.com) - ​​The International Association of Women (IAW) recognizes Judy Daniels, Ph.D., as a 2018-2019 Influencer. She is acknowledged as a leader in science. The International Association of Women (IAW) is a global in-person and online networking platform with nearly one million members, 1000+ in person and virtual events, over 100 Local US based Chapters and International Chapters in several cities in China.

“I’m pleased to Judy into this exceptional group of professional women,” said IPDN President and IAW Spokesperson Star Jones. “Her knowledge and experience in her industry are valuable assets to her company and community.”

Soils are not charismatic megafauna that evoke an emotional response in humans. However, it is the foundational element in our existence that provides everything that plants, animals and humans depend on and soils are taken for granted and mistreated.

Dr. Judy Daniels, Founder, CTO and Principal Geospatial Soil Scientist for Terrestrial Systems, LLC, and Founder, CEO and Principal Geospatial Soil Scientist for Soil Sage, LLC

Dr. Judy Daniels has been working in the natural resource industry for two decades. It was during a summer research project as an undergraduate when she first became interested in geographic information systems (GIS). “The field of GIS was becoming a mainstream technology for natural resource assessments and the beginnings of early data science,” she said.

In 2016, Dr. Daniels founded Soil Sage, LLC, where she is CEO and Principal Geospatial Soil Scientist and in 2018, she partnered with a fellow soil scientist and founded Terrestrial Systems, LLC, where she is CTO and Principal Geospatial Soil Scientist. Dr. Daniels has a Ph.D. in Soil Science and Soil Biodiversity from Colorado State University; a B.S. in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing from Metro State University of Denver and; a B.S. in Biology and Environmental Health from Colorado State University. For 12 years, she worked as an Intelligent Analyst and Data Manager with the United States Air Force.

Dr. Daniels’ early work as a contractor to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) in 2001 allowed her to incorporate her GIS skills with her natural resources education. in monitoring and controlling the spread of invasive plants across the park service system. “In 2005, I became the GIS and Project Manager for the Soil Resource Inventory of the NPS where our mission objective was to create soils information from soil data for 270 national parks,” she said. “This position taught me the complexities of our soils and it is where I gained the full appreciation and awareness of the human relationship with this vital resource.” 

In 2011, Dr. Daniels decided to pursue a Ph.D. so she could “provide a voice to our soils, and create a means to disseminate soils information” and it is when she “learned the intricate complexities of the physical, chemical and biological components of our soils.”

In her roles at both Soil Sage and Terrestrial Systems, Dr. Daniels works to unravel the complexities of soil resource data and create scientifically accurate informative products. “Some of our data science products relate to landslide hazards, as result of wildfires, and others relate to soil-related hazards such as sinkholes and similar insurance-related products,” she explained. “We are also creating products that assist the agricultural industry with their sustainability efforts in reducing the amount of applied fertilizer, topsoil loss and erosion. I’m also applying current technological advances in delivering our datasets in a usable and sustainable manner.”

Dr. Daniels uses her skills as a Geospatial Soil Scientist and her knowledge of biology, ecology, soil, remote sensing, geographic sciences to evaluate the impacts from climate change on food security and natural disasters and much more. It can be a challenging field since most laypeople do not see it as relevant. “Soils are not charismatic megafauna that evoke an emotional response in humans,” Dr. Daniels said. “However, it is the foundational element in our existence that provides everything that plants, animals and humans depend on and soils are often taken for granted and mistreated.”

As she works toward making her work more relatable, including creating a digital platform where soil information is more easily disseminated and ultimately, better understood, Dr. Daniels is encouraged knowing she is working to be a part of the solution for a better future for all.

“Combing all my knowledge and collaborating with my partner to provide an avenue to enlighten others on how we view the world has been rewarding,” she said. “My goal is to be successful in providing soils information to the world and to assist our fellow humans to appreciate and protect this resource for all creatures that inhabit the Earth.”

Awards & Accomplishments: Ph.D., Colorado State University, Soil Science and Soil Biodiversity; B.S., Metro State University of Denver, Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing; B.S., Colorado State University, Biology and Environmental Health; Intelligent Analyst and Data Manager, United States Air Force, 12 years

About IAW
The International Association of Women (IAW) is a global in-person and online professional networking platform that provides nearly one million women the forum, professional development and services needed to thrive in an interconnected world. Through 100+ local chapters, International Chapters in several cities in China and 1000+ in person and virtual events, members cultivate valuable connections, develop professionally, and promote themselves and their businesses. Founded in Chicago in 2017, IAW is a division of Professional Diversity Network, Inc., an online network tailored to provide diverse professionals in the United States with access to employment opportunities.

Source: International Association of Professional Women