Richard H. Becker (Ricky)
Associate Professor
Department of Environmental Sciences
University of Toledo
2801 W Bancroft Ave, MS #604, Toledo, OH 43606
(419) 530 4571
richard.becker@utoledo.edu
Education:
2008 Ph.D. in Geosciences from Western Michigan
University
Dissertation: Remote Sensing Studies for the Assessment of Geohazards:
Toxic Algal Blooms in the Lower Great Lakes, and Land Subsidence in
the Nile Delta.
1994 A.M. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from
Washington University in St. Louis
Thesis: Construction of regional scale digital Landsat Thematic Mapper
mosaics, and applications for regional mapping and plate
reconstructions in the Red Sea area.
1991 A.B. in Germanic Languages and Literature from
Washington University in St. Louis
Appointments:
2014
– Associate
Professor –
University of Toledo, Department
of Environmental Sciences
2008
– 2014 Assistant
Professor –
University of Toledo, Department
of Environmental Sciences
2004 – 2008 Principal Research Associate – Western Michigan
University,
Earth Sciences Remote Sensing (ESRS) Facility, Geosciences
Department
2002 – 2004 Senior Research Scientist –University at
Buffalo, ESRS Facility
2003 Adjunct Instructor – University at Buffalo,
Geology Department
1996 – 2002 Scientific Associate - Geologic Data Visualization,
Computer Support and Risk Assessment, Argonne National Lab
1995 – 1996 Research Scientist/Computer Specialist -
Washington University, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
(EPSc)
1990 – 1994 Research Assistant - Washington University,
EPSc, Remote
Sensing Lab
1992 – 1994 Teaching Assistant - Washington University,
EPSc
Research Support (External):
10/2017 – 9/2019, Lekki, J., Ortiz, J., Schuchman, R., Liu, H., Becker, R., Sayers, M., Beck, R., Shiller, S., Vander Woude, A., Remote Sensing Research for Harmful Algal Blooms in Inland Waters, NASA
7/2017 – 6/2018 Qian, S. Gottgens, H, Becker, R., Establishing Ecological Criteria and Thresholds for Monitoring Hydrologic Impacts on Old Woman Creek Wetland Functions, ODNR
7/2017 – 6/2018 Mayer, C., Qian, S., Becker, R., Bossenbroek, J., Building Resilient Shorelines, Phase III, ODNR
3/2016-2/2018 Bridgeman, T. (PI), CoIs: Becker, R., Bullerjahn, G. (BGSU), McKay, R.M.(BGSU), Shepherd, A. (Sinclair State), HAB Avoidance: Vertical movement of HABs in Lake Erie, ODHE.
3/2016-2/2018 Martin, Jay (PI, OSU), CoIs: Becker, R., Confesor, R. (Heidelberg), Nedunuri, K. (Central State), Redder, T. (Limnotech), Robertson, D. (USGS), Scavia, D. (UM), How quickly can target phosphorus reductions be met? Robust predictions from multiple watershed and lake models, ODHE.
1/2015 – 12/2016 Bridgeman, T., Becker, R., HAB Early Warning System for Ohio Water Utilities, OBOR
7/2015 – 12/2018 Becker, R., Atmospheric Modeling for GRC HSI Imager, NASA GRC
7/1/14 – 12/1/15 Becker, R., (PI), Co-I: Bridgeman, T., HICO Mapping of Harmful Algal Blooms, Center for Advancement of Science in Space/NASA
12/2013 – 1/2016 Hesse, G. (Lake Erie Commission, PI), Co-Is: Becker, R., Bridgeman, T., Qian, S., Mayer, C., Seo, Y. (UT), Chaffin, J., Reutter, J., (OSU), Kriger, K., Confesor, R., Richards, P., Johnson, L. (Heidelberg U.), Matisoff (CWRU), Assessment of Nutrient/Eutrophication Dynamics in Western Lake Erie, EPA
7/2012 – 7/2013 Becker, R. UT, (PI), Early season satellite monitoring of incipient HAB blooms in Lake Erie, NOAA/CILER8/2011 – 7/2012 Becker, R., (PI), Mapping Buckthorn Distribution in the Oak Openings. Lake Erie Protection Fund
8/2011 – 8/2013 Sultan, M, (PI, WMU), Sherif (NARS, Egyptian PI) , Becker, R., (Co-PI) -– Evaluating Subsidence in the Nile Delta Using Radar Interferomety, NSF
8/2011 – 8/2013 Sultan, M., (PI, WMU) Becker, R. Detailed Studies on Landslides in Jazan Area, Saudi Arabia: Remote Sensing and GIS Applications, Saudi Geological Survey
2011 – 2013 Becker, R., (PI), Landslide Studies in the Red Sea Hills of Saudi Arabia European Space Agency, Cat-1 Data support.
2010 – 2013 Becker, R.,
(Co-PI) – Stepien, PI, Co-Is: Chen, Czajkowski, Bridgeman, -
Environmental Sensor System for the Lake Erie Center, NSF
2010 – 2013 Becker, R., (Co-PI), Chen (PI), Gottgens, Czajkowski (Co-PIs) Lake Erie Hydrological and Climate Modeling, NOAA
2010 – 2012 Becker, R. (Co-I), Lis, J (PI, Cayahoga County BOH), Co-Is: Sigler (UT), Holistic Watershed Approach to Health at Huntington Beach USEPA
2010 – 2013 Becker, R. (Co-PI),
Czajkowski, K., PI, Co-Is: Bjorkman, Khare, Megeath, Weintraub, Egan,
Lawrence, Nemeth, Apul, Hedley, Mentzer, Climate Change Education:
Engaging Teachers and Students and Correcting Misconceptions Using
NASA Data, NASA
2010 – 2013 Becker, R., (Co-PI), Stepien, PI, Gruden, Bridgeman, Fisher (Co-PI), Teaching Fellows in STEM High School Education: An Environmental Science Learning Community at the Land-Lake Ecosystem Interface
2008 – 2010 Becker, R., (PI), Remote Sensing of
Environmental Hazards: Nile Delta Subsidence, US-Egypt Science and
Technology Program, USAID
2007 – 2008 Becker, R., (PI), Assessment of
Subsidence in the Nile Delta Using Radar Interferometry, European
Space Agency, In-Kind Contribution
2007 Becker, R., (Co-PI), Sultan, M.
(PI, WMU) Environmental Remote Sensing Applications in Kuwait, Kuwait
Institute for Scientific Research
2005 Becker, R., (PI) Assessment,
Monitoring, and Modeling of Changes in Land Use and Land Cover and
Their Impacts on the Nubian Aquifer, Saharan Africa, subcontract from
NASA through UB
2004 – 2005 Becker, R., (Co-I), Sultan, M, (PI, University at Buffalo) Integrated Hydrology of the Nubian Aquifer: Evidence from Radar and SRTM Data, European Space Agency, In-Kind Contribution
Research Support (Internal):
2011 Becker, R., (PI), Algorithm Development for Satellite Remote Sensing of Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyll-a and Phosphorous, SBIR Phase 0 funding
2009 Becker, R., (PI), Effects of
Indian Ocean Temperature on Nile River Flow Volumes, University of
Toledo, URAF
2007 Becker, R., (PI) Satellite
Assessment of Toxic Algal Blooms in the Lower Great Lakes, March 2007,
WMU Graduate Research Student Fund
2006 – 2007 Becker, R., (PI) Assessment of Subsidence in the Nile Delta Using Radar Interferometric Techniques, November 2006, WMU Graduate Research Student Fund
Awards and Scholarships:
2008 UT Faculty Development Travel Grant
2008 WMU Research Day Research and Creative Activities
Award
2007 – 2008 Gwen Frostic Doctoral Fellow
2007 Geosciences Department Kuenzi Award
2006 Western Michigan University All-University
Research and Creative Scholar Award
2006 Geosciences Department Research and Creative
Scholar Award
2005 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Outstanding
Student Paper Award
1990 – 1991 Saint Michael and Saint George Scholarship
1988 – 1990 Washington University: Caldwell Brothers Engineering
Scholarship
Graduate Student Advising:
Students Advised:
- 2009 James Fisher (Co Advised with J. Marten-Hayden); MS Geology: Dec 2009
- 2010 – 2012 Janet Traub; M.S. Geology: Dec 2012
- 2011 – 2013 Kirk Zmijewski; M.S. Geology: May 2013
- 2011 – 2013 Kyle Siemer; M.S. Geology: Aug 2013
- 2011 – Oyang Zutao; PhD Ecology
- 2012 – 2014 Joseph Fugate; M.S. Geology; Fall 2014
- 2013 – 2016 Xinwei Zhang, M.S. Geology, Summer 2016
- 2014 – 2016 Michael Cline, M.S. Geology, Summer 2016
- 2016 – Tiffany Gentner, M.S. Geology
- 2016 –
Dustin
Dehm; M.S. Geology
Committee Member:
- 2017 – Adam Schroeder, Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering
- 2017 – Bernard Bahaya, Ph.D., Civil Engineering
- 2017 – J.P. Finnegan, M.S. Geology
- 2016 – Jonathon Phillips; M.A. Geography and Planning
- 2015 – Kristen Hebebrand; M.S. Biology
- 2015 Anthony Dietrich; M.S. Civil Engineering
- 2015 – Ryan Jackwood; Ph.D. Biology
- 2015 Vincent Ng, M.S, Civil Engineering
- 2014 – 2016 Brian Schmidt ; M.S. Biology
- 2014 – Michaela Margida; PhD Biology
- 2013 – 2015 Jennifer Horton; M.S. Geology
- 2013 – 2014 Christopher Maike; M.S. Geology
- 2012 – 2014 Elaine Reynolds; M.A. Geography and Planning
- 2012 – 2013 Biniam Estifanos; M.S. Geology
- 2011 – 2014 Hou-Sen Chu; PhD Biology (Ecology)
- 2011 – 2013 Kira Baca; M.S. Geology
- 2011 – 2012 Marc Morandi; M.S. Biology (Ecology)
- 2010 – 2012 Sarah Panek; M.S. Biology (Ecology)
- 2010 – 2012 Jie Rin; M.A. Geography and Planning
- 2010 – 2011 Brad Anderson; M.S. Geology
- 2010 – 2011 Joel Banaszak; M.S. Geology
- 2009 – 2013 Justin Selden; M.S. Biology (Ecology)
- 2008 – 2010 Barb Hanes; M.S. Geology
- 2017 – Abigail Knapp, M.S. Geology, University of Georgia
- 2015 – Esayas Gebremichael, PhD Geosciences, Western Michigan
- 2013 – 2017 Abdullah Othman, PhD. Geosciences, Western Michigan
- 2013 – 2014 Cameron Manche, M.S. Geosciences, Western Michigan
- 2012 – 2013 Hachemi Y Bouali; M.S. Geosciences, Western Michigan
- 2012 – 2015 Lamees Mohamed; PhD Geosciences, Western Michigan
- 2012 – 2016 Ali Asiri; PhD Geology, Michigan State
Courses Taught:
University of Toledo:
EEES 1050: Geological Hazards and the Environment | Spring 2010,11,12,13 |
EEES 2100: Fundamentals of Geology | Spring 2009, Fall 2009,2010,11,12,13 |
EEES 4490/5490/GEPL4490/5490: Remote Sensing of the Environment | Fall 2010,2012 |
EEES 6980: Environmental Applications of GIS | Fall 2009,2011,13 |
Co-instructor for EEES 6650/8650: Statistical Modeling for Environmental Sciences | Spring 2009,2010,2011 |
Supervisor for EEES 1020: Geology Lab | Summer 2009 - Summer 2012 |
University at Buffalo:
Geology 560: GIS for Geoscientists | Fall 2003 |
Short Courses Taught:
2004 GIS for Geologists: Cairo University, Egypt, Oct
2004 Using ENVI and PCI for Geological Remote Sensing: Cairo
University, Egypt, Oct
2004 Using ENVI for Geological Remote Sensing: Cairo University,
Egypt, May
1994 Remote Sensing Using PCI: Cairo University, Fall
1994 Using ERDAS for Remote Sensing: Egyptian Geological Survey,
Fall
Teaching Assistant for Courses:
1992 – 1994 Washington University: Environmental Geology, Biostratigraphy and Sedimentation, Hydrology, Earth System Sciences
Software Copyright:
2002 Automated cross section generation program for Quick Site program, incorporating multiple styles of electronic and lithologic logs
Software Patent:
2007 Remote Sensing Data Extraction Model (RESDEM) (Provisional)
Invited Talks:
2010 Lake Erie from space: environmental parameters and harmful algal blooms, Lake Erie Center Public Talk Series. Feb 18, 2010, Toledo, OH.
2009 Land Subsidence in the Nile Delta, American Society for
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Eastern Great Lakes Regional
Meeting, Feb 27, 2009, Toledo OH
2007 Mapping Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes Using
Satellite Data, Physics Department Colloquium, Marquette University,
Mar 1, 2007, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
2005 Remote Sensing of the Lower Great Lakes, Lake Ontario Lower Food Web Assessment (LOLA) program workshop, November 16th – 17th, 2005, Cornell University Biological Field Station
Abstracts for Presentations at
Professional Meetings
Reports:
Contributing author to 36 Quicksite Expedited Site Characterization Environmental Site Characterization Work Plans and Reports for site characterization and remediation activities in the U.S. Midwest and West from 1997-2002.
Professional Memberships:
2002 – American Geophysical Union
2003 – Geological Society of America
2004 – IEEE - Geophysics and Remote Sensing Society
2007 – American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
2007 – American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing
2007 – 2008 American Association of Geographers
2012 - AAPG
Journal Reviews for:
Hydrogeology Journal, Remote Sensing of the Environment, International Journal of Remote Sensing, Applied Geography, Earth Interactions, Marine and Petroleum Geology, Journal of Plant Ecology, Wetlands Ecology and Management, Water Research, Journal of Great Lakes Research, Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology
Proposal Reviews for:
2009 US DOE
2011,12 NASA
Service:
2012 – Student AAPG Chapter Faculty Mentor
2011 – 2012 UT DES Ad Hoc Core Course Committee
2011 – 2012 UT DES Faculty Search Committee
2010 – UT DES Ad Hoc New Faculty Committee
2009 – UT DES Undergraduate Advisor
2009 – UT DES Computer Committee
2008 – 2009 UT DES Graduate Recruitment Committee
2008 – UT DES Undergraduate Recruitment Committee
2008 – 2009 UT DES Environmental Sciences PhD Committee
2009 – UT Lake Erie Center Internal Science Advisory Board
Member
2008 – 2009 IAGLR 2009 Meeting Publication Committee, Design
Committee, AV Committee
2008, 2009 Sigma Xi Research Presentation Faculty Moderator
2012 – Boy Scout Merit Badge Councilor (Geology, Env.
Sciences, Oceanography)
2011 Lucas County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee
member
2008 – 2009 IAGLR 2009 Meeting Publication Committee, Design
Committee, AV Committee
2007 – 2008 WMU Geosciences Advisory Council Graduate Student
Representative
2004 – 2008 WMU Geosciences Department Computer Committee
2004 – 2008 WMU Geosciences Department Space Utilization Committee
2004 – 2006 WMU Geosciences Department Website
2002 – 2004 Science Olympiad Remote Sensing Examiner Western New
York
1993 – 1994 University City Elementary School Science Fair Judge