Lynn Copeland, Ph.D.

Lynn received a B.S. in meteorology from the University of South Alabama, a M.S. in geography from the University of Alabama and completed her doctoral degree in Climatology at Louisiana State University. Her 2006 dissertation was on the spatial characteristics of the remotely-sensed surface urban heat island in Baton Rouge, LA. Lynn has been with the U.S. Geological Survey since June 2020, when she began serving as the Branch Chief for the Coastal Restoration and Assessment Branch. She became the Center Director for the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in April 2022.

Lynn began her government career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2000 in the Regional Sediment Management Program within the Mobile District, yet in 2003 she transitioned to Military Programs in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2010, Lynn transferred to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where she was the Program Manager for the Civil Affairs Operating System. Her experience in GIS, Remote Sensing, and field data collection programs has been recognized by both the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.  Prior to joining the USGS, Lynn has deployed to countries throughout the Central, Europe and Indo-Pacific Command, yet for her, nothing beats the Gulf Coast of the U.S.! Lynn is originally from Mobile, Alabama and when not working, she can be found on the beach in Gulf Shores spending time with her family.