I am currently a doctoral student in oceanography at the University of Delaware, studying under Dr. Art Trembanis in the Coastal Sediments Hydrodynamics and Engineering Laboratory (CSHEL).
I grew up in Villa Park, IL, far from the ocean but close to a pretty big body of water, Lake Michigan. During my childhood, I made many great memories visiting the lake with friends and family. My interest in the outdoors, science, and numbers influenced my decision to study geology/applied math at Augustana College (in Rock Island, IL), which were some unforgettable years with a great group of friends. During the summer after my junior year at Augie, I was lucky enough to complete an internship at UD, which eventually led to an opportunity for graduate work in oceanography. My time at UD has helped me become a better scientist as well as introduced me to some great folks to study and work with.
My main research focus is geomorphology, or the study of earth’s surface processes. Our lab uses robotic systems like autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and drones, as well as sensors like sonar and LiDAR to study and map the seafloor and the coast.
Research
Carolina Bay Detection and Characterization
The figure below summarizes some of the results from some recent work published in Remote Sensing. I used convolutional neural networks to map Carolina Bays from LiDAR-derived digital elevation models. Essentially, I trained an algorithm on how to recognize Carolina Bays, let it come up with a series of computations to correctly identify them, and then fed it new images and let it find each Carolina Bay. This allowed me to map over 20,000 Carolina Bays all along the US East Coast. This paper is available here: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13183770.
Shown below is a demonstration of the detector in real time.
Pockmark Detection via deep learning
In a 2022 Geomorphology paper, I applied similar methods to detecting and characterizing pockmarks. Pockmarks are round seafloor depressions that form due to seabed fluid escape. They are common in estuaries with lots of organic deposits and methane. The source data in this case is bathymetric sonar. This paper is available here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108524.
Data-Driven Shoreline Analysis and Modeling
Shown below is some recent experimentation using generative adversarial networks (GANs) for shoreline extraction from satellite imagery. The final goal is to have an automated system where a user can input an area of the coast to look at, download that area’s satellite imagery, run the imagery through the shoreline extraction GAN, and then use the extracted shorelines to construct timeseries of shoreline change at automatically generated transects. With those timeseries, we can then experiment with data-driven predictive models (e.g. long short-term memory networks) to project future shoreline changes. More on this can be found at https://github.com/mlundine/Shoreline_Extraction_GAN.
Some Underwater Exploration
Below is a video I made from some underwater images and sidescan sonar of the Gallinipper shipwreck. The images and sonar were collected from an underwater robot in Lake Michigan during the summer of 2021. These images were collected in about 200 feet of water, so very little light is able to penetrate that far. The little amount of light that does reach that depth is mostly in the blue spectrum. This video was made from some code I developed to take out the blue and add some red to underwater imagery, while also computing each image’s footprint on the seafloor. This allows us to track how much of the seafloor each image covers, while also tracking the position of each image.
Shown below are some maps of a mesophotic reef in Bermuda. The left-most map is showing the bathymetry, or depth. The middle map is showing an orthorectified mosaic of RGB imagery. Last, the right-most map is showing an enhanced version of the orthorectified mosaic. These were constructed from around 10,000 images collected from an AUV over the reef, through a process called structure from motion photogrammetry.
Highlights from the Field and Lab
The next video captures an Iver3 AUV launch on Lake Michigan.
And the next video shows an eBee fixed wing RTK drone recovery.
Grant Otto demonstrating the stability and strength of our vibracore tetrapod.
Beach Cusps at Marina di Pisa
These are some images of beach cusps from Marina di Pisa, an artificial marble pebble beach in northern Tuscany, Italy. In the early 2000s, folks managing the beaches here decided to take spoils from the nearby Carrara marble mines and nourish a several kilometer section with leftover marble pebbles. During moderate wave conditions, and when the waves are approaching directly onto the shore, you can find beach cusps starting to form. Waves will break and run up on the beach face, slowing down as they move up-slope, depositing coarser sediment on the beach face. As the water returns into the sea, if it flows into a tiny depression, the returning water will speed up and scour out this depression even more, taking with it finer sediment and depositing that as a tiny delta in the nearshore. Over a span of a few hours, this process can amplify and leave behind progressively prominent beach cusps. During some fieldwork at this beach, we actually got the chance to observe different stages in the life of beach cusps: actively forming cusps, well-formed cusps, and cusps preserved into the storm berm.
CV
Education
University of Delaware, Lewes, DE, PhD, Oceanography, 2018-Present
Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, B.A., Geology and Applied Mathematics, Physics Minor, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 2014-2018
Augustana East Asia Term: 11 weeks in Japan, Taiwan, and China studying geology, politics, literature, traditional Chinese medicine, Fall 2016
Willowbrook High School, Villa Park, IL, 2010-2014.
Professional Appointments
Unidel Graduate Fellow, Coastal Sediments, Hydrodynamics, and Engineering Lab, University of Delaware, June 2018-Present, Advised by Dr. Arthur Trembanis
Visiting Graduate Student, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, September 2022-December 2022, Advised by Dr. Duccio Bertoni
Guest Student, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, June 2019, Advised by Dr. Andrew Ashton
NSF REU Internship, Coastal Sediments, Hydrodynamics, and Engineering Lab, University of Delaware, June 2017-August 2017, Advised by Dr. Arthur Trembanis
Research Assistant, Dr. Ranbir Kang’s Fluvial Geomorphology Lab, Western Illinois University, October 2015-May 2017, Advised by Dr. Ranbir Kang
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Lundine, M., Brothers, L., Trembanis, A., Deep learning-based pockmark detection: implications for quantitative seafloor characterization, Geomorphology, 2023, Volume 421, 108524, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108524.
Lundine, M., Trembanis, A., Using Convolutional Neural Networks for Detection and Morphometric Analysis of Carolina Bays from Publicly Available Digital Elevation Models, Remote Sensing, 2021, Volume 13(18), 3770, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13183770.
Trembanis, A., Lundine, M., McPharren, K., Coastal Mapping and Monitoring, Encyclopedia of Geology, 2nd Edition, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.12466-2.
Undergraduate Thesis
Lundine, Mark. Optimizing UAV surveys for coastal morphodynamics: estimation of spatial uncertainty as a function of flight acquisition and post-processing factors, 2018,
https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/celebrationoflearning/2018/presentations/16https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/celebrationoflearning/2018/presentations/16/
Conference Abstracts
Lundine, M., Trembanis, A., Bertoni, D., Sarti, G., Luppichini, M., Bini, M., Data-driven shoreline modeling – historical remote sensing and forecast analyses, INQUA Congress 2023 (submitted).
Bertoni, D., Sarti, G., Bini, M., Luppichini, M., Trembanis, A., Lundine, M., Otto, G., Seascape-landscape morpho-sedimentological variations at a tourist beach along the Northern Tuscany littoral cell (Italy), INQUA Congress 2023 (submitted).
Lundine, M., Trembanis, A., Investigating the Carolina Bays: field-based observations informed by deep learning detections, Virtual Ocean Sciences Meeting, March 4th, 2022.
Lundine M., Trembanis, A., CNN-based detector for Carolina Bays–developing and testing an open-source graphical user interface, Advances in Digital Field Methods for Geologic Research, Mapping, and Education, Geological Society of America 2020 Connects Online, October 27th, 2020.
Lundine M., Trembanis A., Developing a CNN for automated detection of Carolina bays from publicly available LiDAR data, Machine Learning Applications in Earth Surface Processes Research, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 13th, 2019.
Lundine M., Trembanis, A., Dohner, S., Miller, D., Optimizing UAV surveys for coastal morphodynamics: estimation of spatial uncertainty as a function of flight acquisition and post-processing factors, Geological Society of America National Meeting, Seattle, WA, October 2017.
Lundine M., Kang, R., Channel morphometry analysis of headwater streams using a terrestrial laser scanner in two different ecoregions, North-central and Northeastern Geological Society of America Joint Section Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, March 20th, 2017.
Technical
Programming (scientific computing, GIS, machine learning, basic application development)
- Python (highly proficient), some proficiency in MATLAB, R, C++, Java
Geophysical surveying and data processing
- RTK GPS, bathymetric and sidescan sonar, LiDAR, photogrammetry, GPR, sub-bottom profiler
Sediment sampling
- Backpack vibracore, Cobra vibracore, geoprobe, hand auger
Waves and currents
- ADCP, Spotter wave buoy
Working with autonomous platforms
- Iver AUV, Echoboat ASV, Phantom UAVs, eBee RTK fixed-wing UAV
Sediment sample and core processing
- splitting, dry-sieving, pipette analysis
Operating small boats and trailering
Teaching Experience
Guest Lecture on Data-Driven Shoreline Modeling, Sediment Dynamics, Graduate Course, University of Pisa, December 2022
Guest Lecture on Sediment Transport, Geological Oceanography, Graduate Course, University of Delaware, April 2022
Field Trip Teaching Assistant, Life’s a Beach, Undergraduate Course, University of Delaware, Fall 2019 and 2020
Teaching Assistant, Introductory Geology, Undergraduate Course, Augustana College, Fall 2017
Let’s Rock Instructor, Elementary After School Earth Science Program, Longfellow Elementary and Denkmann Elementary, Rock Island, IL, Spring 2016, 2017, 2018
Presentations/Talks
Data-Driven Applications in Coastal Geomorphology (talk)
- University of Pisa, Department of Earth Sciences Seminar, October 6th, 2022.
Investigating the Carolina Bays: field-based observations informed by deep learning detections (talk)
- Ocean Sciences 2022 Virtual Meeting, March 4th, 2022.
CNN-based detector for Carolina Bays–developing and testing an open-source graphical user interface (poster)
- Advances in Digital Field Methods for Geologic Research, Mapping, and Education, Geological Society of America 2020 Connects Online, October 27, 2020.
Developing a CNN for automated detection of Carolina bays from publicly available LiDAR data (lightning talk, poster)
- Data Science Symposium, University of Delaware, November 15th, 2019.
- Machine Learning Applications in Earth Surface Processes Research, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, December 13th, 2019.
The house always wins…or does it? Simulating an optimum blackjack strategy (talk)
- Mathematics and computer science seminar, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, May 10th, 2018
Optimizing UAV surveys for coastal morphodynamics: estimation of spatial uncertainty as a function of flight acquisition and post-processing factors (poster)
- Geological Society of America National Meeting, Seattle, WA, October 2017
- Geological Society of America North-central Section Meeting, Aimes, IA, April 2018
- Celebration of Learning, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, May 2nd, 2018
Optimizing UAV surveys for coastal morphodynamics: estimation of spatial uncertainty as a function of flight acquisition and post-processing factors (talk)
- REU Presentation, University of Delaware, College of Earth Ocean and Environment, Lewes, DE, August 11th, 2017
- Udden Geology Club, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, September 8th, 2017
- Udden Geology Club, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, March 20th, 2018
Channel morphometry analysis of headwater streams using a terrestrial laser scanner in two different ecoregions (poster)
- North-central and Northeastern Geological Society of America Joint Section Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, March 20th, 2017
- Donor Appreciation Event, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, April 30th, 2017
- Celebration of Learning, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, May 3rd, 2017
Creating a Pricing Model for a Chicagoland Limousine Service (poster)
- Celebration of Learning, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, May 3rd, 2017
Using Terrestrial LiDAR and Structure from Motion to Study Fluvial Systems (talk)
- Udden Geology Club, Augustana College, Rock Island, IL April 21st, 2017
Fieldwork Experience
Bathymetric and sidescan sonar surveys via small boats
- Ligurian Sea nearshore and offshore shipwreck site, Forte dei Marmi, Italy (September 2022)
- Nearshore Herring Point Beach, DE (Various 2021-2022)
- St. Lawrence River (near Watertown, NY, August 2021)
- Lake Ontario (near Sacketts Harbor, NY, August 2021, August 2022)
- Lake Michigan (near Two Rivers, WI, August 2021)
- Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay, DE (December 2019, January 2020, December 2020, December 2021)
- Chincoteague Inlet and nearshore Assateague Island, VA (March 2019, May 2019, June 2020, May 2021)
- Ocean City Inlet, MD (November 2019)
AUV surveys
- Various sites on Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario (August 2021)
- USS Nina Shipwreck, DE (June 2021)
- Redbird Reef, DE (September 2020)
- Delaware Bay near Broadkill Beach (Fall 2018 and Spring 2019)
UAV and RTK GPS surveys
- Forte Dei Marmi, Tuscany, Italy (2022)
- Broadkill Beach, DE (Various 2018-2022)
- Cedar Island, VA (November 2019)
- Southern end of Assateague Island, VA (March 2019, May 2019)
- Northern end of Assateague Island, MD (November 2019)
- Big Stone Beach, DE (June, July, August 2017)
Echoboat ASV surveys
- Sacketts Harbor, NY (various sites on Lake Ontario, August 2021)
- Sheboygan, WI (small embayment on Lake Michigan, August 2021)
- Two Rivers, WI (nearshore Lake Michigan, August 2021)
- Tonys Pond, DE (March 2021)
- Coursey Pond, DE (July 2018)
GPR and sub-bottom surveys
- Tonys Pond, DE (May and June 2021)
- Various Delmarva Bays (August 2020)
Sediment sampling and coring
- Ancient Roman Ruins Site, Lio Piccolo, Venice, Italy (October 2022)
- Tonys Pond, DE (September 2021)
- Various Delmarva Bays, DE (July and August 2020)
- Eastern Shore, VA (June 2020)
- Broadkill Beach, DE (July 2017)
Instrument Deployment and Retrieval (ADCP, turbidity sensor, CTD, rotary sonar, Spotter wave buoy):
- Tonys Pond, DE (Various 2021-2022)
- Chincoteague Inlet, VA (Various 2019-2021)
- Delaware Bay near Broadkill Beach (Various 2018-2019)
Crab Pot Removal
- Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay, DE (January 2020, 2021, 2022)
Pebble Tracking with RFIDs
- Artificial marble pebble beach, Marina di Pisa, Italy (October 2022)
Service
Reviewer
- AGU Earth and Space Science (Fall 2021), GSA Today (Winter 2022), Marine Geodesy (Spring 2022), Remote Sensing of the Environment (Winter 2022)
Bright Night, Pisa, Italy, September 2022
- University-wide open house for the public to come in to the academic departments and learn about the research projects.
Maritime Day, Lewes, DE, May 2022
- Led an environmental field robotics exhibit at Maritime Day where folks walked around and browsed a variety of maritime-related stations.
Fish Finder Workshop, Lewes, DE, September 2021
- Trained folks from the public on how to use a Humminbird Solix, a Humminbird 360, and a Garmin Livescope for habitat mapping, derelict crab pot mapping, and fish finding.
Great Lakes Expedition Outreach, Two Rivers, WI and Sackets Harbor, NY, August 2021
- Put on an exhibit for the public demonstrating the various types of autonomous survey platforms for we were using to map habitats and shipwrecks in Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario.
GIS Day, Dover Air Force Base, Dover, DE, November 2019
- Put on an exhibit with an augmented reality sandbox that projects topographic contours as well as an elevation color map onto kinetic sand. The sand can be modified into various landforms with real-time updates to the contours and color map. This was an all-day event for groups of fifth graders from schools all around the state of Delaware.
Coast Day, Lewes, DE, October 2018 and 2019
- On the first Sunday of October, the University of Delaware Lewes campus hosts a free open house where the public is invited to tour the laboratories and research vessels, engage in hands-on science exhibits, and eat local seafood. We typically see over a thousand visitors.
Love Creek Elementary Science Fair, Lewes, DE, April 2019
- Served as a judge for an elementary school science fair.
After School Marine Science Lesson, Yok Center Park District, Villa Park, IL, April 2019
- Taught kindergarteners various topics about marine science and geology using hands-on activities.
Sussex County Science Fair, Georgetown, DE, March 2019, 2020
- Served as a judge for an elementary, middle, and high school science fair.
Banneker Elementary Science Fair, Milford, DE, February 2019
- Put on an exhibit with hands-on activities explaining autonomous underwater vehicles and their scientific applications.
Westchester-Rockland Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, Lewisboro, NY, February 2019
- Served as a judge for the earth science, physics, and mathematics section of a high school science research competition.
Milford Central Academy Science Night, Milford, DE, January 2019
- Put on an exhibit with hands-on activities explaining autonomous underwater vehicles and their scientific applications.
University of Delaware Tide Camp, Newark, DE, July 2018
- Worked with high school students during a summer science camp on building PVC remotely operated vehicles.
Media
- Forte dei Marmi Multibeam Survey, 2022 (UNIPI News)
- Lake Ontario Mapping Discovery, 2022 (UDaily)
- Carolina Bays, 2021 (UDaily)
- Great Lakes Ocean Exploration, 2021 (NOAA)
- Crab Pot Mapping, Clean Up, Fish Finder Workshop, 2021 and 2022 (UDaily, NPR),
- USS Nina Shipwreck Mapping, 2021 (UDaily, Delaware Online, US Navy History and Heritage Command)
Research Grants Awarded
Geological Society of America Graduate Student Research Grant, 2021, $2,300
Geological Society of America Graduate Student Research Grant, 2020, $1,250
Augustana Board of Trustees Fellows’ Research Scholarship, 2014, $1,000
Awards/Scholarships
University of Delaware Unidel Distinguished Graduate Scholar, 2018-2023
Augustana Presidential Academic Scholarship, 2014-2018
Augustana Lucken Geology Academic Scholarship, 2014-2018
Pi Mu Epsilon National Mathematics Honor Society, 2018
Augustana Geology Major with Distinction, 2018
Augustana J. M. Hoare Academic Scholarship, 2017
Augustana Dr. C. Leland Horberg Academic Scholarship, 2016
