Professional Summary
Earth scientist turned full-stack web developer. Currently working towards accessible education at First Draft and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, while continuing research science part-time at the University of Washington. My unique trajectory from publishing in scientific journals to building web applications and teaching coding to beginners provides a well-rounded skill set. I'm seeking roles in software development, scientific computing, AI applications, technical communication, and education.
Core Experience
Head of Operations and Full-Stack Developer
First Draft - Education Technology Startup
November 2022 - Present
Developing the best beginner-friendly coding course out there. Have a look: firstdraft.com/welcome.
- Back- and front-end development of interactive platform and tooling, including AI tutor integration
- Code review, writing tests, deployment and monitoring
- Day-to-day operations, project management, and technical content creation
Key Skills: Ruby on Rails, Hotwire, JavaScript, Python, Django, PostgreSQL, HTML + CSS, Git, CI/CD, AWS, Docker, Project Management
Teaching Assistant
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
April 2023 - Present
Assisting in "App Dev" course, focusing on practical coding skills for business school students.
- One of Booth's most popular courses, with 8 sections per year and 30 students per section
- Supporting course logistics and student engagement, including mentoring on capstone projects
Key Skills: University Teaching, Database Design, Domain Modeling, Web Development
Research Scientist (Part-time)
University of Washington
June 2023 - Present
Continuing earth science remote sensing research. See my staff page.
- Focus on high-resolution surface model generation from optical and radar satellite data
- Developing Python algorithms for data processing, statistical quality assessment, and visualization
Key Skills: Python, Bash, GIS/GDAL, Photogrammetry, Computer Vision, Image Processing, Unix/Linux, Big Data Processing
Post-Doctoral Researcher and Instructor
University of Potsdam, Germany
June 2020 - October 2022
Advanced research in remote sensing applications to earth-surface processes while teaching.
- Taught courses: Optical Remote Sensing, Data Analysis and Statistics with Python, Introduction to GIS
- Published multiple peer-reviewed articles, see my Google Scholar profile
- Developed open-source Python algorithms
Key Skills: Python, Bash, Matlab, Geospatial Analysis, Optical & Radar Remote Sensing, Structure-from-Motion, Surveying, Curriculum Design, Scientific Publication & Peer-Reviewing
Education
Ph.D. in Remote Sensing (magna cum laude)
University of Potsdam, Germany
February 2020
Dissertation: "Remote Sensing Applications to Earth Surface Processes in the Eastern Central Andes"
Developed novel methodologies for satellite-based geomorphic analysis in arid mountain environments
Developed novel methodologies for satellite-based geomorphic analysis in arid mountain environments
M.Sc. in Geology
University of Potsdam, Germany
November 2016
Thesis: "Validation of DEMs & Derived Geomorphic Metrics on the Southern Central Andean Plateau"
Comprehensive evaluation of global digital elevation models for geomorphic applications
Comprehensive evaluation of global digital elevation models for geomorphic applications
B.A. in Earth & Environmental Sciences (high honors)
Wesleyan University, USA
May 2013
Thesis: "The Hydrologic & Geomorphic Impacts of the 2010 Fourmile Canyon Fire, Boulder Creek Watershed, CO"
Focused on post-wildfire hydrology and sediment transport dynamics
Focused on post-wildfire hydrology and sediment transport dynamics
Selected Publications & Research
Image Texture as Quality Indicator for Optical DEM Generation: Geomorphic Applications in the Arid Central Andes
Purinton, B., Mueting, A., Bookhagen, B. Remote Sensing, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15010085.
Tracking Downstream Variability in Large Grain-Size Distributions in the South-Central Andes
Purinton, B. and Bookhagen, B. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JF006260.
Beyond vertical point accuracy: Assessing inter-pixel consistency in 30 m global DEMs for the arid Central Andes
Purinton, B. and Bookhagen, B. Frontiers in Earth Science, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.758606.
Multiband (X, C, L) radar amplitude analysis for a mixed sand- and gravel-bed river in the eastern Central Andes
Purinton, B. and Bookhagen, B. Remote Sensing of Environment, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2020.111799.
Introducing PebbleCounts: a grain-sizing tool for photo surveys of dynamic gravel-bed rivers
Purinton, B. and Bookhagen, B. Earth Surface Dynamics, 2019. Open Source Algorithm
Additional Publications
7 peer-reviewed articles, 4 published algorithms, 10+ conference presentations. See full list on Google Scholar profile.
Awards & Recognition
SPOT6 Third Party Mission Grant
2021 - European Space Agency (ESA) satellite data grant
Ph.D. magna cum laude
2020 - University of Potsdam Ph.D. honor
TanDEM-X Science Grant
2017 - German Aerospace Center (DLR) research grant
Phi Beta Kappa
2013 - Academic honor society, Wesleyan University
Peirce Prize for Excellence in Geology
2013 - Top geology student award, Wesleyan University
Journal Referee
Reviewer for JGR, Earth Surface Dynamics, Remote Sensing, and others