Code to Canopy: A talk with WWU Alum Neal Digre

Date

Location

Arntzen Hall 100

Details

How do you go from barely knowing how to code to deploying AI-driven biodiversity sensors in the middle of the Amazon rainforest? Through stories of deploying cutting-edge technology in extreme conditions -- amid tropical storms, mischievous monkeys, and military escorts, Neal shares the twists and turns of a career and how interdisciplinary collaboration, a passion for problem-solving, and a bit of luck can lead to extraordinary opportunities in the high-stakes world of the XPRIZE Rainforest Competition.

Whether you're interested in computer science, AI, linguistics, conservation check, or just figuring out your own career path, this talk offers insights into how curiosity and a willingness to take risks can open unexpected doors.