Grant award opens new opportunities
The AZ Technology & Research Initiative Fund has awarded Dr. Alexander Shenkin, Assistant Research Professor at the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, $125,598 to pursue his Riegl VZ-600i Terrestrial Laser Scanner Project.
The Riegl VZ-600i is a high-performance terrestrial laser scanner primarily used for 3D documentation and surveying. It serves various applications across multiple industries including but not limited to engineering and infrastructure.
Dr. Shenkin states, “Access to state-of-the-art technology not only equips students with hands-on skills but also influences their cognitive and problem-solving abilities. NAU is committed to providing such resources in fields like ecological informatics and forestry. Incorporating the Riegl VZ-600i into NAU’s resources will not just fill a technological void but will elevate the academic experience, nurturing a generation of students poised to think differently and innovate within their fields.”
In his current research, Dr. Shenkin is working to scan and model hundreds—potentially thousands—of trees across the tropics. The 3D scans, which capture details as small as millimeters and as large as truck-sized tree trunks, are crucial for advancing our understanding of tree architecture. This research aims to uncover why trees adopt specific shapes, how they fit together in forests, and how these architectural traits influence their response to climate change.
To learn more about Dr. Shenkin’s research or to contact him, please visit Dr. Shenkin’s website.