Zhuang-Fang Nana Yi: Satellite Imagery to Solve Local Problems - MBM#45

Minds Behind Maps

Zhuang-Fang Nana Yi is a Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Regrow, though today's conversation is about her story from going to school not speaking the language, to mapping rubber tree plantations and ultimately using global satellite imagery methods to solve local problems.

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About Zhuang-Fang:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Shownotes

Note: Links to books are Amazon Affiliate links. I earn a small commission if you buy any of these books.

• Qiusheng Wu's Twitter
• Zhuang-Fang's art
• Book & Podcast recommendations:
  • The Alchemy of Air by Thomas Hager (Affiliate Link)
  • Know My Name by Chanel Miller (Affiliate Link)
  • No Filter by Sarah Frier (Affiliate Link)

Timestamps

(00:00) - Introduction

(02:17) - Sponsor: OpenCage

(03:57) - Conversation Begins: Zhuang-Fang presents herself

(07:34) - Nana's Story

(13:01) - Going to a Chinese school without speaking Chinese

(17:57) - From wanting to be a doctor to geography

(22:57) - Picking up English

(28:27) - Working with Limited English

(30:20) - Rubber Trees: A Geopolitical Tool

(36:35) - Working with Local Governments

(38:24) - Process for change

(42:38) - Navigating financial incentives

(47:32) - International collaboration vs Chinese gov

(55:41) - Work as a data engineer

(58:20) - On the ground vs Satellites

(01:01:06) - Data alone doesn't lead to action

(01:02:28) - Art

(01:09:55) - Art in China vs US

(01:12:23) - AI Art

(01:17:38) - Book & Podcast Recommendations

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- Edited by Peter Xiong. Find more of his work