An EPP/MSI scholar's internship analyzing Antarctic images

Using machine learning to identify penguins

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Rose Leeger, a 2021 EPP/MSI scholar, spent her summer internship using machine learning to analyze drone imagery of penguin colonies with NOAA’s Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division.
Tammy, Rose, and Jefferson stand together and pose for the camera with relaxed smiles. They wear each sun glasses and stand in front of a water and sky that are calm and blue.

2021 EPP/MSI scholar Rose Leeger on the Scripps Pier with her summer internship mentors, Tammy Russell (left) and Jefferson Hinke (right). (Image credit: Jules Jackson)

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Rose created new models to detect juvenile and adult penguins within colonies of Adélie and chinstrap penguins. She trained the model to identify the penguins using drone footage from NOAA’s two field stations, Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island and Cocobana on King George Island. Her progress towards developing a successful penguin chick identification model provides encouragement for future use of machine learning to monitor species in remote locations. 

Rose concentrates on her work at a dissecting microscope at a lab bench, holding a pair of forceps in gloved hands. In addition to her latex gloves, she wears a lab coat.
Rose says that her EPP/MSI internships helped her make connections that led to other research opportunities. Here, she works on one such project in the Vernet Lab at Scripps Institute of Oceanography analyzing penguin guano samples for microplastics. (Rose Leeger)
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The EPP/MSI program has given me the opportunity to work alongside scientists that research an ecosystem I hold close to my heart: Antarctica. I’ve learned so much about the advanced technologies NOAA is utilizing to survey remote environments and am honored to be a part of the team this past summer.

Rose Leeger, EPP/MSI scholar, class of 2021

After finishing her undergraduate studies in marine biology, environmental science, and biology at Nova Southeastern University, Rose plans to begin a Ph.D. program in the fall with plans of incorporating polar ecology into her dissertation work.  She aspires to become a professor at a university inspiring future generations to conserve marine environments.

Rose's favorite images from her colleagues in Antarctica

Three penguins stand on a rocky coast. One penguin looks off to the distance with its wings spread. Another stands stoically, and a third looks at the first one, wings spread. The penguins have black backs and white fronts, with the exception of black markings that look like a helmet with a thin chin strap running under their chin.
Chinstrap penguins at NOAA’s Antarctic field station at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island. (Sergio Morales)
Two small penguins on stony terrain. One lays on a pile of small stones and the other stands watch. The penguins have dark gray backs with the exception of an elongate white blotch extending from the top of their eyes, and white stomachs.
Adult gentoo penguins laying on a nest at NOAA’s Antarctic field station at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island. (Sergio Morales)
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The adult seals rest near their pup, who looks to be cleaning itself. In the background, several other seals can be seen resting on the rocky beach.
Two adult fur seals and a pup at NOAA’s Antarctic field station at Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island. (Sergio Morales)
Headshot of Rose
Rose Leeger, 2021 EPP/MSI scholar

Rose Leeger is a 2021 EPP/MSI scholar studying marine biology, environmental science, and biology at Nova Southeastern University.

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