A drone programme can connect much more than aircraft and imagery. Keanno Fausto and Jonelle Sayama bring two University of Guam Drone Corps contributions focused on the people, partnerships and geospatial information behind regional capacity.
Keanno is Communications Coordinator for NASA Guam Space Grant at the University of Guam and has helped develop UOG Drone Corps since 2021. Jonelle is a Research Associate II supported by NASA Guam EPSCoR, using UAVs, GIS and data processing for resource management in Guam.
Their contribution on UOG Drone Corps explores how pilot training, collaborative mapping campaigns and a geospatial data repository can support resource managers and researchers. It also opens a conversation about sharing experience with institutions elsewhere in Micronesia.
A complementary presentation examines a UAV-based framework for post-typhoon damage assessment in Guam. Drawing on deployments and coordination with partner agencies, it explores how high-resolution imagery can contribute to documenting storm impacts and sharing information for response and recovery.
Meet Keanno and Jonelle to discover how local training and operational experience are connecting people and geospatial practice across island communities.
2026 Pacific Islands GIS & Remote Sensing User Conference
30 November–4 December 2026 · Suva, Fiji
Theme: “Strengthening and Expanding Geospatial Networks in the Pacific Islands”.
Register to join us in Suva · Explore the conference programme
Research credits: Keanno Fausto and Jonelle Sayama, University of Guam Drone Corps. Both contributions are coauthored by the two presenters.