Johannes Nelson
Data Scientist, Ecologist, Bioacoustics Specialist
I am a data scientist specializing in bioacoustics and conservation analytics. My research has primarily focused on the use of passive acoustic monitoring to survey wildlife communities and monitor biodiversity metrics—combining traditional field work techniques with deep learning/artificial intelligence for data processing and analysis. My programming skills in R and Python allow me to contribute to projects in a variety of ways, from building complex data analysis pipelines to automating/streamlining essential processes. I also have extensive experience as an educator in progressive, inquiry-based classrooms around the world. I hope to continue working at the intersection of technology and ecology–using innovative deep learning solutions to promote conservation and discovery.
- Location
- 325 Monroe St, PA 19147, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- johannes.nelson@gmail.com
- Phone
- (917) 444-2451
- Website
- https://johannesnelson.github.io
- johannes-nelson
- GitHub
- johannesnelson
Experience
–
Data Scientist/Bioacoustics Consultant at Social Environment UK
During this short-term data science consultancy, I was responsible for helping to scan raw soundscape data for specie of interest, without the aid of a working classifier. This necessitated coming up with systematic sampling techniques, as well as a number of custom scripts and functions that enabled the efficient parsing of long audio files and functionality to label them.
Highlights
- Improved validation protocol efficiency by using independently developed R package and designing effective audio sampling approaches
- Conducted analysis and manual validation of large audio dataset of Indonesian soundscapes
- Targeted specific species of interest in order to inform restoration/conservation interventions
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Data Scientist/Consultant at Conservation International
During this short-term data science consultancy, I was responsible for developing scripts in R to create a full data analysis pipeline to extract, clean/preprocess, and analyze data from tree monitoring surveys around the world. This monitoring program provides essential metrics about Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition, which aims to restore 100 million trees through a number of major restoration projects in key areas around the globe.
Highlights
- Built complex, multi-script pipeline to extract monitoring data from Kobo Toolbox, preprocess/wrangle it, correct taxonomic information using various online databases and API calls, and finally to calculate key indicator metrics that will be used to evaluate the success of all restoration projects in the portfolio.
- Developed script that uses a combination of API calls and web-scraping to screen multiple thousands of species across dozens of organizations for potentially invasive status.
- Created a streamlined, semi-automated process for further classification of planting data into categories of native or alien using spatial occurence data from public databases and relevant text called and filtered from Wikipedia.
- Built a Large Language Model powered classification agent using LangChain in Python to automate the process of native-alien classifcation using intentional prompt engineering to produce an organized report
–
Field Technician at Wilistown Conservation Trust
During this summer position, I primarily supported efforts for a research project about the Eastern Towhee but also participated in other organization activities like MAPS banding.
Highlights
- I assisted the lead researcher in nest-searching, active mist-netting, trapping, banding, and MOTUS tagging of Eastern Towhees.
- Attended the American Ornithological society conference in Puerto Rico.
–
History/Social Studies Teacher at Carol Morgan School
This school’s curricular program is built of the Common Core. I developed, largely from scratch, the programming/ curriculum for the 5th grade History/Social studies classes as the school underwent accreditation.
Highlights
- Designed units of study focused on the social and environmental impacts of a linear, materials economy; bias and power in historical narratives; and how resource management choices impact social and environmental welfare.
–
5th Grade PYP Teacher at International School of Dakar
Here I was a 5th grade, IB Primary Years Program (PYP) teacher. My prior IB teaching experience allowed me to guide the team and the school in their transition to the PYP program–an interdisciplinary, inquiry-based approach to teaching.
Highlights
- Taught students from 15+ nationalities and fostered a culture of empathy, collaboration, and open-mindedness
- Helped spearhead the school's first 5th grade PYP exhibition
- Planned field experiences for students to make connections to local communities and ecosystems while learning about key resource management issues in the region such as overfishing, desertification, and food scarcity
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English Department Chair and 5th Grade PYP Teacher at International College, Beirut
In addition to being a classroom, PYP teacher, I was also appointed to be the chair of the English department, where I worked in a leadership role with the entire elementary teaching staff–a group comprised of many different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Highlights
- Leadership role allowed me to instigate meaningful, lasting change in English curriculum--including shifting to a more wholistic, inquiry ased approach to learning reading and writing.
- As a teacher, I planned and implemented curriculum on topics such as urban planning, living systems, and human rights
Volunteer
– present
Scientist/Researcher at Great Marsh Institute
Meet regularly to discuss/plan research activities on the preserve and public outreach–primarily advising and increasing capacity of ongoing acoustic monitoring efforts targeting cryptic marsh birds.
Highlights
- Provide ongoing techinical support to streamline process of automatic acoustic signal detection as well as manual validation of detection results.
Education
–
Master in Environmental Studies from University of Pennsylvania with GPA of 4.0
Courses
- Deep Learning for Data Science
- Applied Machine Learning
- Bioacoustic Monitoring: Principles and Practice
- Intro to GIS
- Ornithological Principles
- Biological Occupancy Modeling
–
Bachelor in English Literature from Colorado College with GPA of 3.7
Languages
- English
- Fluency: Native speaker
- Spanish
- Fluency: 3/5
- German
- Fluency: 2/5
- Italian
- Fluency: 2/5
- Arabic
- Fluency: 1/5
Skills
- R programming
- Level: 3/3Keywords:
- Python programming
- Level: 2/3Keywords:
- Deep Learning with PyTorch
- Level: 3/3Keywords:
- Bioacoustics/Passive Acoustic Monitoring
- Level: 3/3Keywords:
- GIS
- Level: 2/3Keywords:
- Ecological Fieldwork
- Level: 3/3Keywords:
Interests
- Outdoors
- Keywords:
- Indoors
- Keywords:
