Maycira Costa
Position
Contact
Credentials
PhD (Victoria)
Area of expertise
Remote sensing; coastal oceanography; wetlands; biogeophysical processes
Oi (means Hi in Brazilian Portuguese).
Our research group is working towards (1) developing research methods to make more effective use of remotely sensed imagery for understanding and monitoring biophysical processes in ocean waters and wetlands, and (2) researching light attenuation in coastal and riverine waters.
We have an interdisciplinary group of young researchers with expertise in oceanography, geography, biology, computer science, and environmental science. We are conducting interdisciplinary research with several international collaborators in Brazil, Canada, the United States, and Japan.
In my life, what I like the most is spending time with my boy, Nattan, my very young daughter, Maiara, and my husband, Kevin.
Research
I built a great lab - - for investigating spectral characteristics of the Earth's surface. The first of its kind in Western Canada, the lab focuses on the interaction of light energy with organic and inorganic material in water.
The lab is equipped with a high-precision liquid chromatograph for analysing phytoplankton pigment, a set of hyperspectral radiometers for above and in-water measurements (Satlantic), a set of fluorescence, hyperspectral absorption and attenuation sensors (ac-S), and a darkroom for simulating controlled environmental conditions, and much more!
In my work, what I like most is field work! Most of my field work takes place in the BC coast and in Brazil, more specifically, in the Amazon and Pantanal. I have to admit that field work in Brazil is more pleasurable because of the warm temperatures (no need for survival suits!). However, BC waters are incredibly diverse (optically speaking), which makes our work very exciting.
Teaching
GEOG 228 - Intro to Remote Sensing
GEOG 319 - Remote Sensing of the Environment
GEOG 420 - Field Studies in Coastal Geomatics
Publications
Faces of UVic Research video
In this video, Maycira discusses the use of satellites in her research work on coastal waterways and wetland systems.