Blog

Updates from the PIE Lab.

HyTES-derived lithological and mineral-alteration maps of a geothermal area in Tuscany compared with the regional geological map
September 10, 2026

New Paper: Mapping Lithology and Mineral Alteration with Thermal Infrared Spectroscopy

A new paper co-authored by Dr. Pierrat in the International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation uses thermal infrared spectroscopy to map rock types and hydrothermal alteration in geothermally active areas.

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Three-panel figure showing deforestation trends around the Vale do Javari Indigenous Land
August 21, 2026

New Paper: Spiralling Frontier Threats in Indigenous Amazonia

A new paper co-authored by Dr. Pierrat in Nature Sustainability documents accelerating socio-environmental threats closing in on Indigenous Lands in the Brazilian Amazon.

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Tree-ring site maps and seasonal GPP fraction plots for oak species showing decoupled photosynthesis and growth
August 21, 2026

New Paper: Decoupled Carbon Assimilation and Growth in Oaks

A new paper co-authored by Dr. Pierrat in Science Advances shows oak photosynthesis and wood growth are decoupled across the season, with implications for forest carbon models.

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Diagram of SIF monitoring scales, applications, and instruments for on-farm agriculture
August 17, 2026

New Paper: Harnessing Solar-Induced Fluorescence for On-Farm Agriculture

A new paper co-authored by Dr. Pierrat reviews recent advances and outstanding needs for using SIF in on-farm agricultural research and management.

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February 25, 2026

PIE Lab is Hiring a Postdoctoral Scholar!

The Dept of Geography, UCSB is excited to announce the opening of a Postdoc Scholar in the PIE lab.

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February 25, 2026

New Research Out Now on Human Impacts to the Water Cycle in California!

California’s swing from extreme drought to record-breaking rain didn’t reset the water cycle the way we might expect — because humans are a major driver of it.

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December 9, 2025

AGU Schedule

Going to AGU? Come find us at any of the following events — presenting our own work and filling in for JPL colleagues.

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Hotter Weirder Smarter podcast thumbnail with Dr. Pierrat and Dr. Ruby Patterson seated on a couch
December 9, 2025

Guest on Hotter Weirder Smarter Podcast!

Dr. Pierrat chats with Dr. Ruby Patterson about plants, fieldwork, imposter syndrome, and finding community.

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July 23, 2025

Speaking at AGU!

Dr. Pierrat's talk, “Proximal remote sensing for scaling forest ecophysiology from leaf to globe,” at AGU in New Orleans.

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June 18, 2025

Welcome to the Photon Informed Ecology Lab!

The PIE Lab at UCSB combines remote sensing and data science to understand terrestrial ecosystems in a changing climate.

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