Peter Backhaus is a PhD Candidate in Geography and a member of the Riparia research center. His research focuses on the assessment of wetland functions and ecosystem services via remote sensing. Specifically, he seeks to adapt field-based hydrogeomorphic assessment methods to remote sensing proxies to conduct watershed-scale assessments for applications such as watershed management, wetland restoration, and historic analyses.
He holds a BS in Environmental Science from SUNY Plattsburgh and a MS in Geography from Penn State. In his prior work as an environmental consultant, he conducted wetland delineations, endangered species surveys, and GIS analyses for several large infrastructure projects throughout Pennsylvania. He currently serves as the Student Representative for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists and assists local organizations with stream and wetland restoration projects throughout Centre County.