Geospatial scientist and MPhil researcher specialising in the bias correction and validation of satellite precipitation estimates (SPE) for drought monitoring in data-scarce tropical regions. Current research applies triple collocation error analysis and machine learning-based bias correction to multi-source gridded precipitation datasets — CHIRPS, PERSIANN-CDR, and ERA5-Land — over the Sungai Sarawak basin (1983–2023), in collaboration with the Sarawak State Government. Developer of a registered drought indices calculation library (MyIPO). Research interests span hydrometeorology, remote sensing, land cover change detection, and the application of machine learning to geospatial and environmental data across Southeast Asian tropical landscapes.
Document Preparation: LaTeX (Overleaf), Jupyter Notebooks, Quarto
Education
Master of Philosophy (Remote Sensing)May 2025 – Present
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Supervisor: Dr. Mohd Nadzri Md Reba, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Built Environment and Surveying, UTM
Thesis focuses on calibration of satellite precipitation datasets (CHIRPS, PERSIANN-CDR, ERA5-Land) over Sungai Sarawak basin (1983–2023) for sparse rain gauge networks.
Employing triple collocation for error variance analysis and machine learning for bias correction to enhance hydrological modelling accuracy in tropical climates.
Utilising Google Earth Engine (GEE) JavaScript/Python APIs for large-scale data acquisition, processing, and multi-temporal analysis.
Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Pure GeologyJune 2007 – August 2010
Universiti Malaya (UM) · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Final Year Project: “General Geology, Petrology and Geochemistry of Igneous Intrusion Pulau Salak, Sarawak.”
Secretary, American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Student Chapter.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia · Sarawak State Government Collaboration
Evaluating error characteristics of CHIRPS, PERSIANN-CDR, and ERA5 over a 30-year period using triple collocation analysis.
Applying inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation for spatial consistency across datasets of differing native resolutions.
Developing and benchmarking ML-based bias correction pipelines to improve SPE reliability for downstream drought index computation.
Research Assistant — Tropical Peat & HydrologyApril 2014 – June 2016
Universiti Malaya · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Designed research on nutrient mobilisation in tropical peat systems; conducted burn detection image processing at Hutan Simpan Kuala Langat Selatan using remote sensing tools.
Analysed soil and water samples; built hydrological models with GEE for preliminary data processing.
Research Assistant (Intern) — Soil ChemistryApril 2012 – January 2014
Tropical Peat Research Laboratory (TROPI) · Sarawak, Malaysia
Conducted chemical analysis on soil samples (PSI, elements, cations); facilitated data visualisation and statistical analysis on SigmaPlot.
Engineered end-to-end geospatial data pipelines for environmental and biodiversity projects, reducing data cleaning time by 50% through Python automation and open-source libraries.
Deployed GEE workflows for forest cover monitoring, mangrove mapping, and land-use change detection across ESG and ESIA projects.
Built dynamic client-facing dashboards for marine traffic risk and habitat quality assessment using InVEST ecosystem services modules.
Redesigned spatial database architectures (PostgreSQL/PostGIS) and upskilled teams on Python data analytics workflows.
Technician I (SS-Geoscience)June 2022 – June 2023
Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Automated cartographical geoprocessing workflows using Python and ArcGIS Model Builder for resource exploration mapping.
GIS Officer / Lead of Conservation GIS UnitApril 2018 – June 2022
WWF-Malaysia · Sarawak, Malaysia
Led Conservation GIS Unit delivering spatial analysis and satellite imagery processing for biodiversity monitoring across Sarawak’s priority conservation areas.
Developed and deployed ML image classification models contributing to the Malaysia Forest Cover 2020 Dashboard in collaboration with PMTC and SLP.
Overhauled spatial database management (MS-1759 standards) and designed GIS SOPs for conservation programme delivery.
Technical Support Analyst – Desktop TeamNovember 2016 – March 2018
International Support Center (ISC) Esri · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Resolved 127 support cases with 100% CSAT across ArcGIS Desktop/Pro/Online, Survey123, and Collector; trained incoming analysts.
Open Source Tools & Projects
A collection of programmatic tools, recreational experiments, and in-development projects. These reflect my commitment to open science, continuous learning, and the development of robust geospatial utilities.
STEMRAINCAL Python LibraryRegistered IP
Registered under MyIPO (Malaysia Intellectual Property Office)
Independent programmatic Python library for computing standardised drought indices from hydrometeorological inputs.
Currently under active development for updated resubmission and open-source release.
Recreational & Experimental ProjectsOngoing
Personal GitHub Repository
Experimental Google Earth Engine scripts for novel land-cover change visualisations.
Interactive Streamlit dashboards for personal climate data exploration and hydrological modelling.
Algorithmic experiments in spatial statistics and geospatial data engineering.
Confidential & In-Development ToolsUnder NDA / Closed Development
Bespoke geospatial data verification tools for environmental consultancy applications.
Publications & Conference Presentations
Refereed Conference Abstract: Abdullah, A. K., Md Reba, M. N., Jali, N. E., Magupin, S., & Anthony, D. (2021). Deep forest cover classification of consecutive Landsat imageries over Borneo. Warta Geologi Newsletter, 47(1), 71.
Refereed Conference Paper: Md Reba, M. N., Abdullah, A. K., Hashim, M., Mahmud, M. R., & Wan Ahmad, W. A. N. (2025). Evaluating satellite gridded precipitation errors in the Sungai Sarawak basin: A triple collocation approach. Proceedings of the 46th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS 2025).
Manuscript in Preparation: Md Reba, M. N., Abdullah, A. K., et al. (in preparation). Bias correction techniques for multi-source satellite rainfall data in data-scarce tropical environments.
Awards & Honours
SPOT Award — ERM Malaysia, 2024 (For developing procedural standards and analytics in capital projects).
Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award — WWF-Malaysia, 2021 (For editing WWF-Compass Newsletter and supporting Compass Solutions).
Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award — WWF-Malaysia, 2020 (For development of the Malaysia Forest Cover 2020 Dashboard).
CSAT Performance of the Month — Esri Desktop Team, 2017 (For achieving 100% CSAT on all evaluated cases).
Professional Membership
Practicing Professional Member (Gs.) — Institution of Geospatial and Remote Sensing Malaysia (IGRSM)
Languages
English (Native proficiency) | Bahasa Malaysia (Native proficiency)
References
Dr. Mohd Nadzri Md Reba
MPhil Supervisor | Geoscience and Digital Earth Centre (INSTeG), RISE, UTM
Contact available upon request. Additional professional and academic references available upon request.