Karyn M. Tabor

My research utilizes near-real-time satellite data to improved the timeliness and accuracy for information used by decision-makers in response to natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

In my role as Agroclimatology Advisor for USAID’s Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), I assure the integration of agroclimatological and water availability information from NASA, NOAA, USGS, and university partners into analyses of emergency food insecurity that determine where and how much humanitarian aid is needed to assist people in need.

I have extensive expertise in building tools and models that use satellite observations and and weather and climate models to support environmental and humanitarian actions. Prior to my position with FEWS NET, I was the applications coordinator for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission. Before coming to Goddard in 2022, I was the Senior Director for Ecological Monitoring for the Moore Center for Science at Conservation International (CI). There, I developed decision-making tools delivering time-sensitive information for improved fire and natural resources management. During my 20-year career at CI, I worked on various research projects, including forest cover and change mapping, fire risk modeling, and impact evaluations of conservation investments.

Instructor for Geography and Environmental Systems (GES) 386/686, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, during the Fall 2020 semester at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Ph.D.

Geography & Environmental Systems 

Spring 2023 

U. Maryland Baltimore County 

Advisor: Dr. Margaret Holland 

Baltimore, MD 

M.A. 

Env. Remote Sensing & GIS 

Spring 2001 

Boston University 

Advisor: Dr. Ranga Myneni 

Boston, MA 

B.A. 

Environmental Science 

Spring 2001 

Boston University 

Boston, MA