Sophia Skoglund

Sophia Skoglund

Faculty Advisor: Paul Hanson

skskoglund@wisc.edu

Lab Page

Sophia Skoglund

Research Interests

Google Scholar

My research focuses on how hyperspectral data—an emerging technology in earth-observing satellites—can be used to monitor lake water quality. I led an airborne campaign of Lake Mendota and am now using the data to explore water quality prediction, seasonal succession of microbial communities, and within-lake heterogeneity. I am also exploring applications of machine learning and curating incoming data packages for the Environmental Data Initiative.

Aerial view of sampling boat on Lake Mendota
Sampling boat on Lake Mendota as seen from the hyperspectral imaging plane. Photo taken by Brendan Heberlein.
Sophia presenting her research at the NASA booth for the 2025 American Geophysical Union annual meeting.
Sophia presenting her research at the NASA booth for the 2025 American Geophysical Union annual meeting.

What made you choose this graduate program at UW–Madison?

What better place than Madison to study lakes?!

Education

BA, Environmental Studies & Studio Art, St. Olaf College, 2018