Research statement
Spaceborne coarse resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) cover extensive portions of Earth’s surface but at coarse spatial and temporal resolutions. Although useful representations of Earth’s large scale topography features, coarse resolution DEMs are not suitable for modeling surface processes at scales smaller than their spatial resolution.
My research focuses on the development of a stochastic downscaling and data fusion framework to generate synthetic fine resolution DEMs in areas where only coarse terrain elevation measurements are available. An essential part of my PhD project consists of elaborating a data integration methodology for conditioning the downscaling process to different data sources (e.g. remote sensing imagery), and demonstrate its applicability to surface flow problems. Due to the complex spatial structures present in DEMs, my research relies on the use of multiple-point statistics simulation and image processing techniques.
Biography
In March 2014, I was awarded a BSc in Geology and a MSc in Mining Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. During my graduate studies, I was involved in the application of geostatistics for geological and orebody modeling. Later on, I worked as a research fellow at the same institution developing parallelization strategies for sequential simulation algorithms. During this period, I had the opportunity to work in partnership with multinational oil/gas and mining companies. In September 2015, I started my PhD in Earth Science at the University of Lausanne.
Publications
Rasera, L.G., Gravey, M., Lane, S.N., Mariethoz, G., 2019. Downscaling images with trends using multiple-point statistics simulation: An application to digital elevation models. Mathematical Geosciences (accepted).
Gravey, M., Rasera, L.G., Mariethoz, G., 2019. Analogue-based colorization of remote sensing images using textural information. ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 147, 242–254.
Carvalho, P.R.M., Rasera, L.G., Costa, J.F., Araújo, M.G.S., Varella, L.E.S., 2019. Variogram modeling of broadband artifacts of a seafloor map for filtering with factorial kriging. Journal of Applied Geophysics 161, 92–104.
Carvalho, P.R.M., Costa, J.F., Rasera, L.G., Varella, L.E.S, 2016. Geostatistical facies simulation with geometric patterns of a petroleum reservoir. Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment 31(7), 1805–1822.
Rasera, L.G., Machado, P.L., Costa, J.F., 2015. A conflict-free, path-level parallelization approach for sequential simulation algorithms. Computers & Geosciences 80, 49–61.
Boucher, A., Costa, J.F., Rasera, L.G., Motta, E., 2014. Simulation of geological contacts from interpreted geological model using multiple-point statistics. Mathematical Geosciences 46(5), 561–572.
Conference proceedings and presentations
Rasera L.G., Mariethoz, G., Lane, S.N., 2018. Stochastic fusion of multi-resolution digital elevation models and satellite imagery data. American Geophysical Union 2018 Fall Meeting, 10-14 December 2018, Washington, DC, USA.
Rasera L.G., Mariethoz, G., Lane, S.N., 2018. Data-driven fusion of multi-resolution digital elevation models and remote sensing imagery. IAMG 2018 19th Annual Conference, 2-8 September 2018, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Rasera L.G., Mariethoz, G., Lane, S.N., 2018. The effect of small scale terrain elevation uncertainties on surface flow processes. 12th Conference on Geostatistics for Environmental Applications, 3-7 July 2018, Belfast, UK.
Rasera L.G., Mariethoz, G., Lane, S.N., 2017. Multiple-point simulation of sub-pixel topography on low-resolution digital elevation model guided by high-resolution satellite imagery. Spatial Statistics 2017, 4-7 July 2017, Lancaster, UK.
Rasera L.G., Mariethoz, G., Lane, S.N., 2016. Geostatistical sub-pixel imaging of terrain elevation data. 14th Swiss Geoscience Meeting, 18-19 November 2016, Geneva, Switzerland.
Carvalho, P.R.M., Costa, J.F., Rasera, L.G., Varella, L.E.S, 2016. Stochastic facies modeling with geometric patterns of a submarine fan reservoir with multiple-point geostatistics. Rio Oil & Gas 2016, 24-27 October 2016, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Rasera, L.G., Mariethoz, G., Lane, S.N., 2016. Stochastic downscaling of digital terrain models using spatial patterns. 10th International Geostatistical Congress, 5-9 September 2016, Valencia, Spain.
Rasera, L.G., Mariethoz, G., Lane, S.N., 2016. Stochastic downscaling of digital elevation models. European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016, 17-22 April 2016, Vienna, Austria.
Carvalho, P.R.M., Rasera, L.G., Costa, J.F., Varella, L.E.S, 2015. MPS facies modelling of a submarine fan reservoir in southeast Brazil with SNESIM. EAGE Petroleum Geostatistics 2015, 7-11 September 2015, Biarritz, France.
Silva Jr., A.A., Costa, J.F., Rasera, L.G., 2013. Quantifying uncertainty in lithotype modeling of a Brazilian iron ore deposit with multiple-point geostatistics. 36th International Symposium on the Application of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industry, 4-8 November 2013, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Rasera, L.G., Dani, N., Bernardo, R.T., Moro, C.C., Formoso, M.L.L., 2013. Acid activation and bleaching capacity of bentonites from Melo, Uruguay. XV International Clay Conference, 7-11 July 2013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.