Scott Wilson
About Scott Wilson
Scott Wilson serves as the Chief of the Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Branch at the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, bringing over 30 years of experience in environmental science and engineering within the Department of Interior.
Work at U.S. Geological Survey
Scott Wilson has held multiple positions at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since 1994. He began as an Electronics Engineer and progressed to Senior Project Manager and Electronics Engineer from 2000 to 2006. He served as the NWRC Emergency Response Coordinator from 2008 to 2014, followed by the role of Chief of the Wetland and Forested Ecosystem Branch from 2014 to 2017. Since 2017, he has been the Chief of the Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Branch at the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. Throughout his tenure, he has managed significant budgets and led various research initiatives.
Education and Expertise
Scott Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of New Orleans, obtained between 1985 and 1990. He furthered his education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he earned a Master of Science in Computer Engineering from 2000 to 2002 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Engineering from 2003 to 2007. His expertise spans engineering, physical science, robotics, applied computer technologies, and environmental science, with over 30 years of experience within the Department of Interior.
Background
Before joining the USGS, Scott Wilson worked as an Electronics Engineer for the US Fish and Wildlife Service from 1990 to 1994. He also served as a Project Manager and Technical Advisor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette from 2003 to 2006. His career reflects a strong foundation in engineering and environmental science, contributing to various projects and initiatives focused on habitat classification and robotics.
Achievements
Scott Wilson has led the development of novel systems for habitat classification as a principal investigator on advanced technology research projects. He has served as the elected Chairperson of the Interagency Coastal Wetland Planning and Protection Act Public Outreach Program since 1999 and has been involved with the committee since 1994. Additionally, he was a project manager and senior technical advisor for 'Team CajunBot,' which participated in the DARPA Grand Challenge program. He received the USGS Shoemaker Communication award for his professional efforts.