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Five Questions with Andrew Zachman ’19, ’24

October 31, 2024 Andrew Zachman in the field.

Meet CARDNL research associate Andrew Zachman. Zachman recently began working full-time as a research associate with the Carolina Drone Lab (CARDNL). He is currently working on using terrestrial LiDAR, a remote sensing technology, to quantify forest structure and thermal imagery to detect bobwhite quail and black rails. Outside of work, Zachman enjoys cooking and sharing meals with his friends, inspecting the native plant garden he manages with his wife, and running and birding with his dog Odie.

 

Zachman with his family.
Zachman with his wife Kinsey Fisher and dog Odie. Photo courtesy of Andrew Zachman.

Tell us about your career so far.

I completed my undergrad at UNC-Chapel Hill and studied environmental science and marine science. After graduating, I worked at a research institute affiliated with Acadia National Park. When that job wrapped up, I moved back to North Carolina and began working at North Carolina State Parks as a forest restoration specialist. I implemented restoration projects across the state and engaged in prescribed fires and invasive species management. This experience led me to return to UNC to study fire ecology with Susan Cohen and Carolina Drone Lab. I just wrapped up my M.S. degree and am now working full-time with the lab.

Zachman holds a green snake in Acadia National Park.
Zachman holds a smooth green snake in Acadia National Park. Photo courtesy of Andrew Zachman.

What got you interested in using drones for forest/wildlife management?

Natural resource managers are plagued by understaffing, underfunding and increasing demands on natural resources. This highlights the need for improved efficiency which I think drones can provide. Finding ways to be better land stewards is my ultimate goal, and drones are a new tool with a promising horizon.

Zachman in the field using LiDAR, a remote sensing technology used to measure distances and create 3D models of Earth's surface.
Zachman in Carver’s Creek State Park, a study site for his master’s degree project. He used this LiDAR unit to capture 3D forest structure in relation to fire frequency. Photo courtesy of Andrew Zachman.

What is the coolest part of your job?

I think getting to work in areas that the public doesn’t have access to is the coolest part. It’s a perk you can’t put a price on.

Zachman assists with a prescribed burn in Occoneechee Mountain in Hillsborough as a North Carolina State Parks forest restoration specialist prior to joining the UNC Institute for the Environment. In the commotion of dealing with the spot fires, he found his water bottle had been run over. Photo courtesy of Andrew Zachman.
Zachman assists with a prescribed burn in Occoneechee Mountain in Hillsborough as a North Carolina State Parks forest restoration specialist prior to joining the UNC Institute for the Environment. In the commotion of dealing with the spot fires, he found his water bottle had been run over. Photo courtesy of Andrew Zachman.

What does a typical day of work look like for you at CARDNL?

Typically, I am either in the field flying drones, processing data/working with our equipment, or reading literature pertaining to an upcoming project.

Zachman and UNC graduate student Peggy Mullin in the Currituck Sound. Photo by Megan Mendenhall / Office of Research Communications.
Zachman and UNC graduate student Peggy Mullin in the Currituck Sound on a typical day at work. Photo by Megan Mendenhall / Office of Research Communications.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you?

I love getting to work on new and unique projects so If anyone has a need for drones in their research reach out to me. I’d be happy to help!

See more “Meet the Team!” profiles.