William Olson

Natural Resource Conservation - University of Florida

William Olson

About

Senior at the University of Florida
Major: Natural Resource Conservation with a specialized focus in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Minor: GeoAI and Geographic Analysis

Download My Resume

Contact

email: wolson623@gmail.com

Work Experience

Univeristy of Florida, OPS Worker
March 2025 - Present

Applying ArcGIS Pro to initiate the development of a deep learning AI technology designed to detect invasive plants utilizing satellite and drone imagery.

Automated geospatial data workflows for database management and cleaning using ArcPy scripting and ModelBuilder to ensure data integrity and to streamline the AI model training process.

Research Tutorial Abroad, Berlin, Germany
June 2023 - July 2023

Selected by the University of Florida to assist the Technical University of Berlin with a team research project focused on creating a visual decision making tool using ArcGIS in Germany. Project was concentrated on data collection and documentation and achieved the goal of the digitization of historic site data to support climate change mitigation measures.

Read more about the research

CES Lunchtime Symposium

University of Florida, Sanibel Symposium Student Assistant
September 2022 - May 2023

Utilized Microsoft Excel to manage international symposium attendees travel itineraries, verify funding arrangements, document speaking schedules, detail guest contact information, and simplify logistics. Communicated in email, telephone, and in-person format with professors, symposium attendees, and host location staff to facilitate a successful event. Used Microsoft publisher to design, from concept to publication, and subsequently distribute the Sanibel Symposium annual program.

Sanibel Symposium

Education

University of Florida, Gainesville — Natural Resource Conservation
Fall 2021 - Spring 2026

Natural Resource Conservation (NRC) is an interdisciplinary major where ecology, field applications, sampling, GIS technology and natural resource policy is studied. As a senior, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of these subjects.

Broward College, Coconut Creek — Associate of Arts - Honors
August 2019 - May 2021

As a sophomore in high school, I applied and was accepted into an accelerated program for junior and senior year wherein I obtained my high school diploma and Associate’s degree simultaneously. Graduated with Honors. Received an Associate’s Degree with a focus in Business.

Projects

Panthers and Wildlife Crossings

Collaborative project presented through Esri’s StoryMaps which examines the relationship between wildlife crossings, average daily traffic counts, and Florida panther deaths in the Florida Panther Focus area. Ultimately attempts to determine the effectiveness of wildlife crossings in preventing panther-vehicle collisions through analysis in ArcGIS, as well as identify suitable locations for future construction of wildlife crossings.

ArcGIS StoryMap Link

Solar Energy Site Analysis

Utilized ArcGIS Pro to analyze geospatial data for identifying optimal sites for energy development. Conducted land use assessments, a roadway proximity analysis, slope evaluation and a sunshade analysis. Based on these parameters I developed a binary and a ranking suitability model to support solar energy planning and provide a reference for future solar planning projects.

View the PDF

Leadership

Treasurer: Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Club, University of Florida
Promoted alternative agricultural practices and methods combined with the financial duties of the Treasurer position

Awards

LaFontaine Scholarship Recipient
Scholarship that is awarded to students within the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatic Sciences at the University of Florida