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CRS-ISLA

Caribbean Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Laboratory
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CRS-ISLA

Caribbean Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Laboratory

The Caribbean Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Laboratory (CRS-ISLA) is dedicated to advancing research in remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and environmental monitoring. Our work focuses on studying rivers, coastal systems, hydrology, photogrammetry, and spatial data modeling to understand better and address environmental challenges in the Caribbean region.

Through cutting-edge research and collaboration, we develop innovative solutions for natural resource management, disaster response, and climate resilience. Our lab integrates satellite imagery, GIS technologies, and field data to provide valuable insights for scientific studies and decision-making.

We strive to foster collaboration with researchers, institutions, and organizations to enhance the impact of geospatial science in the region.

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— Our Available —

Resources

We are developing a suite of resources to support hydrological research and modeling in Puerto Rico. Soon, you’ll have access to datasets, tutorials, instructional videos, and analysis tools designed to enhance streamflow forecasting, soil moisture monitoring, and hydro-climatic modeling. Stay tuned for updates!

Soil Sensor Stations
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— Our Ongoing —

Research

Luisa Feliciano Ph.D.

Post Doc Research
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Gerardo Trossi M.E.

Doctorate Research
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Victoria Vega BSCE

Masters Research
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Luisa Feliciano’s Research

Community-driven flood mapping and mitigation in Puerto Rico
  • Vulnerability & Risk Assessment – Identifying higher risk, flood-prone communities using localized social vulnerability indices.
  • Community Flood Mapper – Collecting georeferenced, real-time flood observations, integrating citizen science with model validation.
  • Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) & GIS – Evaluating flood forecasts and incorporating community crowdsourced data to identify high-risk areas and refine flood mapping accuracy.
  • Field Training & Capacity Building – Teaching flood data collection, FIM map interpretation, and community-based mitigation strategies to improve community resilience.

Our research bridges hydrologic modeling, citizen science, and GIS to enhance flood preparedness in Puerto Rico.

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Gerardo Trossi's Research

Research focused on hydrologic modeling and evaluation the National Water Model (NWM)
  • Evaluated NWM streamflow forecasting capabilities in PR
  • Variability of rivers and lakes in PR the past 30 years
  • Evaluating the NWM soil moisture monitoring capabilities
  • On going research to run WRF-Hydro in Puerto Rico

Our research focuses on hydrological modeling and water resource assessment in Puerto Rico. We evaluate the National Water Model (NWM) for streamflow forecasting and soil moisture monitoring, analyzing its performance across the island’s diverse hydrological conditions. Additionally, we study the variability of river and lake systems over the past 30 years to understand long-term trends in water availability. As part of ongoing efforts, we are working to implement and run WRF-Hydro, a state-of-the-art hydrologic model, to improve localized water predictions and enhance flood and drought forecasting capabilities in Puerto Rico.

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Victoria Vega's Research

Research focused on flood mapping and mitigation in Puerto Rico
  • Evaluating NOAA’s Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) services in Puerto Rico.
  • Improving flood forecasting accuracy by identifying data limitations and adjusting hydraulic models.
  • Assessing the limitations of current FIM models due to topographic complexity and data gaps.

Conducting fieldwork to improve model calibration and enhance flood risk communication.

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— Our Past —

Research

Our past research has focused on hydrological modeling, water resource assessment, and climate impacts in Puerto Rico. We have explored topics such as streamflow forecasting, watershed variability, and soil moisture monitoring, contributing valuable insights to improve water management and prediction capabilities.

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— CFM —

Community Flood Mapper

An innovative tool that enhances flood preparedness and response by integrating real-time community observations into flood prediction models. By sharing location details, photos, and flood descriptions, residents help improve forecasting accuracy, especially in areas with limited monitoring infrastructure. This collaborative approach empowers communities, supports emergency planning, and strengthens resilience against extreme weather events.

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— Posts —

Scientific Information

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— The Team —

Researchers
Jonathan Munoz Barreto, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Phone: 787-832-4040, ext. 3499
Email: jonathan.munoz@upr.edu
Linda Velez-Rodriguez, M.Sc, PE, PS
Professor
Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Phone: 787-832-4040, ext. 5045
Email: linda.velez@upr.edu
Tarendra Lakhankar, PhD, PE
Research Assistant Professor
CUNY-CREST Institute
The City College of New York
Phone: 212-650-5815
Email: tlakhankar@ccny.cuny.edu

— Let Us Know —

Contact Us

Send message

Do you have questions or want to collaborate? Get in touch with us. Whether you’re interested in our research, seeking partnerships, or need more information about our projects in remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and environmental monitoring, we’re here to help.

8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Upon Request
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
crs.isla.uprm@gmail.com
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