Di Vittorio Lab

Remote Sensing and Hydrologic Modeling to Support Water Resources Management

Wake Forest University - Department of Engineering

Example of estimating Chlorophyll-a from satellite imagery

Google Earth Engine App that allows users to interact with and analyze satellite-derived Chl-a estimates

Google Earth Engine App that allows users to view land cover changes in US Atlantic and Gulf Coast wetlands from 1985 to 2022

Our Work

The amount and quality of publicly available satellite-based information is increasing rapidly, and exciting opportunities exist to use this information to manage our water resources more proactively and sustainably. The successful adoption of satellite data into decision-making processes requires an iterative research approach that is guided by collaboration with stakeholders and water managers. We therefore strive to make satellite-based products and tools that provide relevant information in the context of current policy and regulation. We engage stakeholders throughout the research and design process with the hope that they integrate these products and tools into operational management procedures. 


The Di Vittorio lab works in three separate but interrelated areas of research: the development of satellite-based data products, new hydrologic modeling and calibration procedures, and decision support for water management. While an individual research project may focus on one of these areas, we try to connect them through stakeholder-driven applications. We currently have three active research projects: a large-scale study of coastal marsh changes on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts that will inform global ocean-climate models, a local application of satellite imagery for improved lake water quality monitoring and management, and a statistics-focused project that aims to develop a new spatiotemporal Bayesian model for categorical data that will be applied to forecast the US Drought Monitor.


Dr. Di Vittorio is also a member of the HydroLearn management team and works with faculty fellows to create and disseminate high-quality open-source learning materials on hydrology and water resources engineering topics. HydroLearn is currently supported by CIROH and new modules are being developed for river forecasters to help bridge the gap between research and operations.

Wake Forest University is committed to the Teacher-Scholar Ideal, where research is integrated into undergraduate education. Our research team is therefore composed of scholars at various levels, but many of them are undergraduate research students. We align our research with the University motto, "Pro Humanitate (For Humanity)", a calling to use knowledge, talents, and compassion to better the lives of others. The Di Vittorio Lab strives to produce research-based products that ultimately benefit humanity, through the lens of social, environmental, and economic impacts. Pro Humanitate is also integrated into the Engineering curriculum and the courses we design; we teach students technical skills in the context of real-life applications that have societal impact.

Updates & Announcements