azaleakamellia.github.io

Geospatialist · Researcher · MPhil Candidate

Gs. Azalea
Kamellia Abdullah

MIGRSM  ·  Universiti Teknologi Malaysia  ·  Kuala Lumpur

I make maps, study rainfall, and occasionally write about what it's actually like to work in GIS. Based in Kuala Lumpur, researching in Sarawak.

I'm a geospatial scientist currently doing my MPhil at UTM, where my research looks at correcting satellite rainfall data to better detect droughts in Sarawak — a part of the world where ground measurements are sparse and the stakes for getting it right are real. The work is done in collaboration with the Sarawak State Government.

By day I work as a geospatial consultant, which mostly means writing Python to wrangle satellite imagery into things that make sense to clients. I also built a drought indices library registered under MyIPO, which I'm quietly still improving. In 2020 I received the Society of Conservation GIS (SCGIS) Scholarship Award.

Hydrometeorology Remote Sensing Drought Monitoring Machine Learning Google Earth Engine Forest Cover Tropical Climatology Bias Correction
Bias Correction of SPE Products for Drought Monitoring in Sarawak MPhil · Active

Evaluating and correcting CHIRPS, PERSIANN-CDR, and ERA5-Land over Sungai Sarawak basin using triple collocation error analysis and ML-based bias correction. In collaboration with the Sarawak State Government.

Drought Indices Calculation Library Registered · MyIPO

A software library for computing standardised drought indices from hydrometeorological inputs. Registered intellectual property under the Malaysia Intellectual Property Office.

Independent Projects — Coming Soon In Progress

Open-data explorations in precipitation analysis, evaporative stress, and forest cover dynamics across Southeast Asia.

Maps are where I started. Over the years I've made them for conservation reports, government bids, published books, and public dashboards — mostly across Malaysia and Borneo. A proper gallery is in the works. For now, the archive lives on Tumblr.

Nature in the Heart of Borneo Published · WWF 2020

Series of maps for a WWF-Malaysia and FORMADAT ecotourism guidebook on Northern Sarawak's highland communities — Lun Bawang, Sa'ban, and Kelabit.

Malaysia Forest Cover 2020 Dashboard WWF-Malaysia

Interactive dashboard of forest cover extent and methodology across Malaysia's regions. Built with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. GEM Award recipient 2020.

Malaysia Bid Round 2023 · PETRONAS Cartography

Exploration block and hydrocarbon field maps for the annual Malaysia Bid Round event, using ArcGIS Pro symbolization and SQL expressions.

IKI Land Use Plan · Heart of Borneo WWF · 2021

Maps supporting Natural Capital Valuation for the International Climate Initiative green initiative across the Heart of Borneo region.

Full cartography archive on Tumblr →

I write on Medium about geospatial work, remote sensing, and the honest realities of being a GIS analyst. Occasionally serious. Usually not.

The day I realized my 'wasted' hostel nights were actually the peak of my life Digitizing the boundaries to your skillset and patience Google Maps Doesn't Do This (And Other Lies That Keep Me Employed) A GIS Analyst's Guide to Losing Gracefully (Mostly Just Losing) All posts on Medium →

Full academic and professional history — including research output, registered IP, and 10+ years of geospatial consultancy experience. Available in academic and industry formats.

Download CV (PDF)