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Billy Petersen
Post-bachelor’s Research Associate

William "Billy" Petersen is a post-bachelor’s research associate researching X-ray computed tomography (XCT) with the Molecular Observation Network team at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. His current research focuses on advancing soil science through the application of XCT for the detailed analysis of soil cores. This work involves mapping soil structure, estimating bulk density, and calculating flow rates to better understand the physical and hydrological properties of soils. A primary aim of his research is to enhance data accuracy and efficiency by exploring automation techniques in both soil science workflows and XCT operations. This includes automating image reconstruction, segmentation, and data processing using software like Avizo and Dragonfly. By streamlining these processes, his research seeks to provide deeper insights into soil behavior while contributing to scalable, high-throughput methods for environmental and agricultural applications.

Research Interests

  • XCT analysis of soil cores to investigate structural properties and spatial heterogeneity
  • Image-based estimation of bulk density and porosity in soil systems
  • Mapping and characterizing soil structure to understand flow dynamics and mechanical stability
  • Quantitative analysis of flow rates in soil using advanced image reconstruction and modeling techniques
  • Application of image segmentation and machine learning in Avizo and Dragonfly for soil core and root analysis
  • Integration of XCT data to improve understanding of soil processes and their impact on environmental and agricultural systems

Education

  • BS in environmental science, Washington State University
  • BS in information technology and cybersecurity, University of Phoenix

Affiliations and Professional Service

U.S. Army veteran, Combat Medic 2001-2006. 1-14 Infantry Battallon, 25th Infantry Division. OIF 2 (Iraq), SFOR11 (Bosnia)