Iris J Garthwaite
Iris J. Garthwaite is a Senior Earth Observation Scientist in the National Land Imaging Program at the U.S. Geological Survey Headquarters.
Iris Garthwaite earned a Master of Science in Environmental Science & Policy from Northern Arizona University, where she graduated with distinction. She is a Senior Earth Observation Scientist with the USGS National Land Imaging Program. With a foundation as an ecologist, Iris brings a systems perspective to studying the Earth observation ecosystem. She specializes in understanding, documenting, and analyzing the full lifecycle of Earth observation (EO) solutions, from initial requirements collection to assessing impact across sectors and application areas. Her efforts ensure EO investments deliver measurable value and strong return on investment by connecting user needs to practical solutions that maximize societal and economic benefits. She also supports the National Land Imaging program through interagency collaborations, international EO committees; and other outreach efforts to demonstrate the value of Landsat imagery and other EO data in decision-making across government, academia, and industry. Iris has worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NASA Ames, and The Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes leading environmental reviews, fostering scientific partnerships, conducting research, and advancing Earth science applications.