Alexia Hernandez is a Faculty Research Specialist at ARLIS for the Acquisition and Industrial Security Mission (A&IS). Her journey at ARLIS started as a RISC 2021 summer intern, where she utilized geospatial technology for a research project investigating the impact of geological hazards on critical infrastructure. Hernandez and her team shared their research findings at the American Geophysical Union 2021 Fall Conference, an event where scientists, researchers, and policymakers gather to explore the ramifications of environmental degradation and engage in discussions surrounding climate intelligence. Hernandez valued her experience as a RISC intern, as it was the internship that solidified her passion for utilizing geospatial technology. Following this internship, Hernandez pursued further geospatial opportunities, including positions with NASA and Esri's Intelligence team.
She returned to ARLIS as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) for the A&IS mission in 2022 and has now transitioned to a full-time position. Throughout her time as a GRA, she was awarded both the Women in Defense Scholarship and the Ken Miller Scholarship for Advanced Remote Sensing Applications by the United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation. Furthermore, she contributed to a research endeavor at the University of Maryland, collaborating with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on the Tearline Initiative. Recently completing her master's degree in Geospatial Information Sciences, Hernandez also holds a bachelor's degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, with minors in Geographic Information Science and Technology Entrepreneurship. Her primary objective revolves around leveraging GIS and remote sensing to enhance research and decision-making processes across various domains.