Paúl Pauca

Dr. Paúl Pauca is a Professor in the Department of Computer Science at Wake Forest University. He earned his Ph.D. in computer science at Duke University in 2001, his M.S. in computer science at Wake Forest in 1996, and his B.S. in mathematics and computer science also at Wake Forest in 1994. 

Pro Humanitate and education of the whole person are guiding principles in Dr. Pauca’s research and teaching endeavors. As a teacher-scholar, he is dedicated to fostering learning and success for all students, emphasizing analysis and critical thought grounded on empathy and collaboration.    

His research interests include machine learning, image processing, and computational imaging. He is particularly focused on developing and applying computing technologies in multi-modal remote sensing for environmental science, such as monitoring and characterization of artisanal-scale gold mining in tropical forests. His earlier research includes mobile and intelligent computing for socially-relevant applications such as augmentative and alternative communication.

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Teaching

Classes taught:

• CSC 332 – Mobile and Pervasive Computing
• CSC 375 – Neural Networks and Deep Learning

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Publications

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Research

Intelligent Remote Sensing for Conservation and Discovery

The overarching goals of this project are (1) to transform our understanding of and ability to characterize land-use change dynamics due to artisanal mining and other causes of deforestation at multiple spatial scales, exploiting recent advances in very-high resolution remote sensing and machine learning, and (2) to use these advances to provide guidance for effective environmental governance and policy construction in conjunction with local stakeholders.

We seek to construct an accurate, scalable methodology capable of identifying gradients of intensive land-use change from deforestation and mining through information fusion and deep learning of moderate and VHR optical, C-band radar backscatter, and UAV RGB data products.