Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Interests
The research focuses on the integration of Earth Observation (EO) technologies, machine learning, and geospatial modeling to address critical environmental and sustainability challenges. A central theme is the application of satellite remote sensing and drone imagery for monitoring air quality, vegetation dynamics, and land-cover changes, particularly in data-scarce regions. By leveraging cloud-based platforms like Google Earth Engine, the work develops scalable frameworks for mapping pollutants, assessing climate change impacts on glaciers and ecosystems, and evaluating forest health. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the development of reproducible geospatial tools and digital twins to support urban planning, smart campus management, and public health interventions. Beyond remote sensing, the work investigates circular economy strategies, including the spatial modeling of waste generation—such as domestic plastic and used cooking oil—and the simulation of greenhouse gas mitigation scenarios. Methodologically, the research bridges the gap between complex environmental data and actionable policy by employing advanced statistical modeling, deep learning for image segmentation, and multi-criteria decision analysis to provide evidence-based solutions for environmental conservation and resource management.
Key Topics:
- Remote Sensing and Earth Observation
- Geospatial Modeling and GIS
- Air Quality Monitoring
- Machine Learning and Deep Learning in Environmental Science
- Circular Economy and Waste Management
- Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
- Precision Agriculture and Ecosystem Monitoring
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
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SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
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SDG 13 Climate Action
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SDG 15 Life on Land
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Smart University Campus as a Prototype towards the Intelligent and Sustainable City under Principles of Metagovernance
Sacoto Cabrera, E. J. (Col), Huerta, M. (Col) & Alvarez Mendoza, C. I. (PI)
25/05/23 → …
Project: Research and Development
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Spatial Analysis of Contaminated Areas Using Multispectral Mapping with Drones (Phase 3)
Alvarez Mendoza, C. I. (PI), Gualotuña Barahona, D. C. (Col), Jarrin Proaño, M. D. (Student) & Martinez Raza, M. F. (Student)
1/02/23 → 20/12/23
Project: Research and Development
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Spatial Analysis of Contaminated Areas Using Multispectral Mapping with Drones (Phase 2)
31/03/22 → 31/12/22
Project: Research and Development
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Spatial Analysis of Contaminated Areas Using Multispectral Mapping with Drones
16/04/21 → 31/12/21
Project: Research and Development
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Atmospheric composition and sensing
Alvarez, C. I., López, S. & Gualotuña, D., 1 Jan 2025, Data-Driven Earth Observation for Disaster Management: From Theory to Practical Applications. Elsevier, p. 431-442 12 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Carbon Footprint Estimation at the Salesian Continuous Training Center - San Bartolo Using System Dynamics
Timbiano Feraud, T. E., Mollocana Lara, J. G., Calderón Coba, P. J. & Álvarez Mendoza, C. I., 2025, Systems, Smart Technologies, and Innovation for Society - Proceedings of CITIS 2024. Inga Ortega, E. M., Robles-Bykbaev, V. E., García Herranz, N. & Gallego Diaz, E. (eds.). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, p. 303-313 11 p. (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems; vol. 1331 LNNS).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Open Access -
Machine Learning for Urban Air Quality Prediction Using Google AlphaEarth Foundations Satellite Embeddings: A Case Study of Quito, Ecuador
Alvarez, C. I., Ulloa Vaca, C. A. & Echeverria Llumipanta, N. A., Oct 2025, In: Remote Sensing. 17, 20, 3472.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access19 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Mapping stains on flat roofs using semantic segmentation based on deep learning
Santos, L. M. A. D., Lescano, L. R., Higa, G. T. H., Zanoni, V. A. G., da Silva, L. S., Alvarez, C. I. & Pistori, H., Jul 2025, In: Case Studies in Construction Materials. 22, e04106.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Study Area Map Generator: A Web-Based Shiny Application for Generating Country-Level Study Area Maps for Scientific Publications
Alvarez, C. I., Mollocana-Lara, J. G., Sinde-González, I. & Teodoro, A. C., Oct 2025, In: ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information. 14, 10, 387.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations
Press/Media
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New Engineering Findings from University of Augsburg Discussed (Seasonal Agricultural Vulnerability In Semi-arid Morocco: Combining Remote Sensing and Farmer Knowledge To Inform Climate Adaptation)
14/04/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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University of Augsburg Reports Findings in Machine Learning [Satellite-Driven Modelling of NO2 and PM2.5 Across Germany (2019-2024): A Multi-Sensor Machine-Learning Approach]
16/03/26
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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New Remote Sensing Findings from Salesian Polytechnic University Published (Assessing Air Quality Dynamics during Short-Period Social Upheaval Events in Quito, Ecuador, Using a Remote Sensing Framework)
9/10/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Data on Hydrology Published by Researchers at Salesian Polytechnic University (Prioritization of Hydrological Restoration Areas Using AHP and GIS in Dulcepamba River Basin in Bolivar-Ecuador)
4/07/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media