Dr. Nikelene Mclean is a scientist with keen interest in remote sensing applications that support coastal management, climate adaptation and mitigation, ecosystem conservation and marine governance. She has worked among global scientists, decision makers and stakeholders in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa to promote the use of Earth observations in decision making related to offshore wind development, fisheries and aquaculture, marine pollution and climate adaptation on a global scale.
As an ocean enthusiast with a passion for scientific communication, stakeholder engagement and capacity development, Dr. Mclean is particularly interested in building strategic partnerships, and connecting decision makers from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean Sea, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, to the Earth observation data, tools and expertise needed to improve their adaptive capacities to climate change. Dr. Mclean holds a PhD in Bioenvironmental Sciences with a concentration in Coastal Geospatial Ecology from Morgan State University in Maryland, USA.
Stewart Bernard specializes in strategic development and analysis of earth observation services, missions and value chains. He has expertise in remote sensing of the ocean with particular interests in ocean colour, bio-optics and harmful algal bloom research. His other areas of Earth observation expertise include value chain analysis, user requirements studies, programme and mission strategy, climate change adaptation, marine service development, aquaculture, and fisheries.
Dr. Bernard holds a Ph.D. in bio-optics, an M.Sc. in Physical Oceanography from the University of Cape Town, and a B.Sc. Hons. in Oceanography with Physics from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. His key competencies are in the field of ocean colour, specifically in the bio-optical modelling and characterisation of phytoplankton and the development of new ocean colour methods to observe the phytoplankton community. He has also led the development of new regional capabilities for marine operational services. He has played a strong role in international community building and was chair of the International Ocean Colour Co-ordinating Group from 2014 – 2017. Previously Research Group Leader at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Chief Scientist at the South African National Space Agency (SANSA). His recent focus has been on quantifying South African national Earth observation user needs, developing new national mission requirements, and analysing the value of Earth observation for urban climate adaptation.
Dr. Massimiliano Sist is a remote sensing and data processing expert with a robust background in meteorology, computer science, and geo-information. Serving at EUMETSAT on Sentinel 3 and 6 missions, he excels in monitoring and refining the full data processing lifecycle from acquisition to distribution. His tenure includes leading technological projects in remote sensing for the Italian Air Force Weather Service and managing engineering teams in global settings.
Holding a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Geo-information with a specialization in Remote Sensing and Artificial Intelligence, Massimiliano has authored many scientific publications that advance meteorological satellite technologies. Passionate about Earth observation, he is actively engaged in research and development of novel algorithms for enhancing meteorological products and leveraging satellite data for environmental and climatic applications.
