Matthew Hamilton (2010)
Fellowship Year: 2010
Academic Background: University of California - Davis - MS 2011- (International Agricultural Development)
Matthew is an M.S. student in International Agricultural Development at the University of California, Davis, where he is advised by Dr. Mark Lubell and Dr. Richard Plant. He is interested in environmental and humanitarian applications of emerging geospatial technologies. At present, Matthew is leading a team of specialists from several Central American countries to develop a low-cost technique for gathering environmental and social data on water resources using high-resolution satellite imagery as base layers in participatory mapping exercises. By involving community members in the information-gathering process, these mapping exercises serve both to gather rich datasets and at the same time build social capital critical for improving land-use practices. His work is helping to improve the effectiveness of integrated water resource management projects carried out by the Global Water Initiative, a partnership of local and international NGOs. Before beginning his studies at UC Davis, Matthew was Developing Regions Program Coordinator at the Association of American Geographers. Earlier, he spent several years in Latin America working with local stakeholders to improve conservation of natural resources and ecosystem services, first as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay and later as an agroforestry extension volunteer with the Golden Lion Tamarin Association in Brazil. He has also worked for the Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth in the U.S. He has a B.A. from Dartmouth College.
Expertise: Water Resources