Biography

Dr. Carlos Alberto Silva’s research as an Associate Professor of Quantitative Forest Science at the University of Florida (UF) focuses on advancing the understanding of forest ecosystem dynamics through the integration of cutting-edge remote sensing technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantitative analysis. His work addresses critical ecological and management challenges by developing innovative statistical models and open-source tools that leverage LiDAR data from terrestrial (TLS), airborne (ALS), and satellite platforms (e.g., GEDI, ICESat-2), alongside optical and radar (SAR) imagery.

His research aims to quantify forest structure, monitor aboveground biomass, and assess the impacts of natural and human-induced disturbances—such as fire and hurricanes—on ecosystems across various spatial scales. By integrating these advanced technologies, Dr. Silva provides actionable insights for sustainable forest management, carbon monitoring, and biodiversity conservation.

At SilvaLab, he leads efforts to connect remote sensing and forest science through software and mapping platforms such as SilvaLiDAR Air, SilvaLab Explorer, CMS4D, EMS4D, ICESat4D, and RapidFEM4D. His open-source tools include rGEDI, ICESat2VegR, rFDS, FuelDeep3D, rTLsDeep, and rForest, enabling scientists, land managers, and policymakers to monitor forests more accurately and efficiently. Explore all SilvaLab tools.

Previously, Dr. Silva worked as a research scientist at the University of Maryland, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He has authored over 140 research articles and is currently involved in 11 projects, serving as Principal Investigator (PI) on 7 projects funded by NASA, NSF, the USDA Forest Service, and the Joint Fire Science Program. Since joining UF in 2021, he has secured over $14 million in research funding. Dr. Silva is also a member of NASA’s Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) and the ICESat-2 Science Teams.