Using machine learning to identify penguins
Rose Leeger, a 2021 EPP/MSI scholar, spent her summer internship using machine learning to analyze drone imagery of penguin colonies with NOAA’s Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division.
2021 EPP/MSI scholar Rose Leeger on the Scripps Pier with her summer internship mentors, Tammy Russell (left) and Jefferson Hinke (right). (Image credit: Jules Jackson)
Rose created new models to detect juvenile and adult penguins within colonies of Adélie and chinstrap penguins. She trained the model to identify the penguins using drone footage from NOAA’s two field stations offsite link, Cape Shirreff on Livingston Island and Cocobana on King George Island. Her progress towards developing a successful penguin chick identification model provides encouragement for future use of machine learning to monitor species in remote locations.
The EPP/MSI program has given me the opportunity to work alongside scientists that research an ecosystem I hold close to my heart: Antarctica. I’ve learned so much about the advanced technologies NOAA is utilizing to survey remote environments and am honored to be a part of the team this past summer.
After finishing her undergraduate studies in marine biology, environmental science, and biology at Nova Southeastern University, Rose plans to begin a Ph.D. program in the fall with plans of incorporating polar ecology into her dissertation work. She aspires to become a professor at a university inspiring future generations to conserve marine environments.
Rose's favorite images from her colleagues in Antarctica
![Three penguins stand on a rocky coast. One penguin looks off to the distance with its wings spread. Another stands stoically, and a third looks at the first one, wings spread. The penguins have black backs and white fronts, with the exception of black markings that look like a helmet with a thin chin strap running under their chin. (Image credit: Sergio Morales) Three penguins stand on a rocky coast. One penguin looks off to the distance with its wings spread. Another stands stoically, and a third looks at the first one, wings spread. The penguins have black backs and white fronts, with the exception of black markings that look like a helmet with a thin chin strap running under their chin.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_856/public/2022-10/IMG_2322_0.png?h=473c2408&itok=LK0AANT8)
![Two small penguins on stony terrain. One lays on a pile of small stones and the other stands watch. The penguins have dark gray backs with the exception of an elongate white blotch extending from the top of their eyes, and white stomachs. (Image credit: Sergio Morales) Two small penguins on stony terrain. One lays on a pile of small stones and the other stands watch. The penguins have dark gray backs with the exception of an elongate white blotch extending from the top of their eyes, and white stomachs.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_856/public/2022-10/IMG_2610.png?h=f8445f00&itok=7RiE7M5G)
![The adult seals rest near their pup, who looks to be cleaning itself. In the background, several other seals can be seen resting on the rocky beach. (Image credit: Sergio Morales) The adult seals rest near their pup, who looks to be cleaning itself. In the background, several other seals can be seen resting on the rocky beach.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_856/public/2022-10/IMG_2377.png?h=473c2408&itok=ZvcrE9yU)
Rose Leeger is a 2021 EPP/MSI scholar studying marine biology, environmental science, and biology at Nova Southeastern University.