From field biology to the GRASS GIS board: A Journey of Open Source Discovery and Nurturing a New Generation of Contributors
12-04, 12:00–12:45 (America/Belem), Room Auditorio

My journey from field biologist to GRASS GIS board member exemplifies the accessibility of open source contributions. Curiosity and a willingness to learn propelled me into the world of geospatial analysis, leading to a deep appreciation for the power of open source tools and community. I had the chance to witness firsthand the transformative power of open collaboration and this was really inspiring and engaging. However, I also recognized the need to bridge the gap between the global open source community and regions such as Latin America.

In this keynote, I will explore and reflect on strategies for breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive open source community, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, education, and accessible resources. By drawing on my personal experiences and lessons learned, I aim to inspire and empower attendees to become active contributors and leaders to build a more sustainable open source ecosystem!

Veronica Andreo is a member of the GRASS development team and serves as chair of the Project Steering Committee since 2021. She is currently a visiting scholar at the Center for Geospatial Analytics, in North Carolina State University. Veronica holds a PhD in Biology and an MSc in Remote Sensing and GIS Applications. Back in Argentina, she works as a researcher at CONICET and as a lecturer at Gulich Institute (CONAE - UNC). Her research focuses on uncovering environmental drivers of vector-borne disease outbreaks and distribution through Earth Observation data analysis and modeling.

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