A Journey in Space: ASU News
In a remarkable acknowledgment of her groundbreaking contributions at the nexus of artificial intelligence and global sustainability, Hannah Kerner has been honored with a 2025 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award.
Kerner serves as an assistant professor of computer science and engineering in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. This award will bolster her initiative to transform machine learning methodologies for satellite remote sensing data — a pursuit that could fundamentally alter how we observe, comprehend, and steward our planet.
As satellites circle the Earth, they gather vast amounts of data, including everything from landscape photographs to measurements of heat, moisture, and vegetation. This data, captured from above the surface, is known as remote sensing. Researchers utilize this information to investigate phenomena such as weather patterns, crop health, deforestation, and the impact of natural disasters. This valuable data enhances our understanding of global dynamics, particularly in inaccessible regions.
The Kerner Lab team is addressing one of the most pressing challenges in the field: bridging the significant gap between the overwhelming volume and intricacy of satellite data and our existing capacity to utilize it effectively for societal advancement.
“Satellite remote sensing data is immensely powerful, but most machine learning models treat it like standard photographs,” Kerner explains. “That methodology falls short when analyzing a complex planet that is in constant flux.”
With backing from the National Science Foundation, Kerner and her team are inventing new AI and machine learning instruments to enhance the usability and accuracy of satellite data, even in unfamiliar or rapidly evolving contexts.
Centrally to the project are three sophisticated algorithms, which serve as detailed instructions that computers follow to resolve issues or make data-driven decisions. These algorithms will assist computers in better comprehending and interpreting the intricate information captured by satellites, such as images of agricultural fields, forests, and coastal areas. The team is also working on creating a testing platform to evaluate the effectiveness of their tools in new environments or conditions.
One of the most innovative advancements is termed “zero-shot mapping.”
This pioneering algorithm will enable machine learning systems to be trained without requiring extensive amounts of manually labeled data, and will allow users to pose questions in natural language. The aim is to develop tools that empower scientists, farmers, policymakers, and others around the globe to leverage satellite insights practically, without the necessity of AI expertise.
From CAREER Award to career impact
This new initiative signifies the next chapter in Kerner’s rapidly expanding, high-impact career.
For instance, in the Fields of The World project, Kerner directs a research team in the creation of AI models that analyze satellite images to identify croplands and delineate field boundaries — a vital step for enhancing agricultural monitoring and planning. Backed by the Taylor Geospatial Engine and Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, the team has already generated publicly accessible data currently utilized worldwide.
“Almost every aspect of agriculture improves when we possess a digital map of the global fields,” Kerner states. “Our objective is to bridge the gaps in data availability, which involves training AI systems to identify what a field looks like, even in areas with minimal or no labeled information.”
To achieve this, the team had to innovate. Their project contrasts snapshots taken during planting and harvesting seasons to identify changes over time, a strategy that enables their AI systems to learn how to outline the shapes and boundaries of fields.
Kerner’s AI-for-all philosophy has already reached Maui, where her team is applying similar satellite-driven AI tools to assist local farmers. Through the Maui Nui Crop Monitor, her lab disseminates insights to growers via an informative newsletter filled with satellite information on rainfall, soil moisture, and even lunar planting recommendations.
Her CAREER initiative will further strengthen these vital community collaborations. Through an educational program called AI for ʻĀina, Kerner and her team will partner with communities in Maui County to provide culturally relevant AI education to students in Hawaiʻi. This program will offer hands-on, locally pertinent learning experiences for middle school, high school, and community college students.
“This endeavor is about making AI accessible to all, not only in labs but also in fields and communities,” Kerner emphasizes.
Global problems, local solutions
Kerner’s vision for the future does not just push the limits; it redefines them. By creating machine learning tools that can adapt to changing geographies, cultures, and environments, she is developing systems that are more intelligent, equitable, and accessible.
Through her partnerships with NASA Harvest and NASA Acres, as well as her role as a faculty member at ASU’s Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Kerner is in a prime position to translate her research into immediate, real-world applications. These collaborations address everything from national food security to community-based agricultural support, ensuring that the innovations from her lab are both technically advanced and deeply human-centered.
Ross Maciejewski, director of the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, asserts that Kerner is poised to amplify her impactful influence even further.
“The NSF CAREER Award is a significant milestone and a strong endorsement of Hannah’s accomplishments and her vision for the future,” he states. “She’s not only advancing AI research but doing so in a manner that directly benefits people and their communities. This award will enhance her capacity to create a lasting and meaningful impact.”
With this award and an expanding portfolio of influential projects, Kerner is demonstrating that when AI is aligned with human needs, extraordinary outcomes can arise.
For Kerner, it transcends mere algorithms.
“It’s about ensuring that communities have food security. It’s about equipping them with the tools to thrive. And it’s about making technology beneficial for all, not just those who develop it,” she articulates.
