Tapia, Roberto, BEng MSc Student, GeoSTARS Lab Department of Geography & Environmental Management Faculty of Environment University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Phone: (519) 208-7322 E-mail: rctapia@uwaterloo.ca

  Research Interests
     My main research interest is the use of information technologies such as geographic information systems and remote sensing for
    develop precision crop protection. First, I am especially interested in the use of optical and thermal sensors for the quick and early
    detection and localization of weed zones, pest and plant diseases in agricultural fields. Furthermore, use of sensors for early detection
    of plant stress such as water and nutritional stress and for faster correction.

    Moreover, I am interested in the use of GIS and remote sensing for planning and analysis of site-specific. In addition, I would like to
    develop automatic classification for spectral signature of crops and lands, and finally, modeling, estimating and detecting of crop yield.

    In summary, I am interested in researching on precision farming and environmental impacts using information technologies in order to
    maximize yields, optimize resources and reduce pollution.
  Education
   • Sept. 2009 - Present: MSc Student in Geomatics, Department of Geography& Environment Management, University of Waterloo,
     Canada.
   • 1998 - 2001: Agricultural Engineer's Licence (with distinction at the University of Chile), specialized in soil and water management,
     University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
   • 1993 - 1997 B.Eng. in Agriculture Science, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
      Work Experience
   • Sept. 2010 - present: Research Assistant, Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technology Lab, Faculty of Environment, University of
     Waterloo, Canada.
   • 2004 - 2006: National Advisor for the Import Program, Ministry of Agriculture, Chile
   • 2001 - 2004: Advisor of Irrigation Projects, Ministry of Public Works, Chile.
   • 2001 - 2004: Consultant in Environmental Management, Ministry of Agriculture, Chile.
   • 2000 - 2001: Research Assistant in Natural resources, Irrigation and Water Pollution at the National Institute of Agricultural
     Researches (NIAR), Chile.
   • 1997 - 2000: Research Assistant in Irrigation Project, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile.
    Publications
   • Tapia, R., Botti, C., Carrasco, O., Prat, L. and Franck, N. 2003. Effect of four irrigation rates on growth of six fig tree varieties. Acta
      Hort. International Society for Horticultural Science ISHS (ISHS) 605:113-118. Link: http://www.actahort.org/portfolio/605/605_17.html
   • Tapia, R., Botti, C., Carrasco, O., Prat, L. and Franck, N. 2003. Effect of four irrigation rates on growth of six fig tree varieties. II
      International Symposium on fig. May 7-11, Caceres, Spain.
   • Franck, N., Botti, C., Prat, L., Tapia, R., and Morales, B. 2000. Research advances in type of crop on fig tree in Chile. International
      Seminar on Fruit Growing Strategies for Dry Zones, April 27-28, Santiago, Chile.
   • Tapia, R., 1999. Irrigation Research in Six Varieties of Fig Trees, B. Eng. Thesis, FONDEF D96-1062 project, supervised by
      Professor Claudia Botti, Tired field Cardas, IVth region of Chile.
    Awards and Scholarships
  • 1st Position in Poster Presentation at International GIS-Day, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, 2009.