Virtual Summit Submission

University of Missouri - Kansas City
Biology

Biography

Annabelle Griffin is a senior at The University of Missouri - Kansas City, studying a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and is a part of UMKC Honor’s program. She is interested in marine biology and veterinary medicine. She is currently working as a veterinary assistant, and has taken courses in Australia focusing on the marine ecosystem and animal ecophysiology. After graduation, she hopes to either attend veterinary school, or go into environmental research.

Project

A Novel Use of Photogrammetry for 3D Underwater Imaging of Patch Reef Biodiversity, San Salvador Island, The Bahamas
I traveled to San Salvador, The Bahamas working on underwater photogrammetric methodology. I made accurate underwater 3D models of resident patch reefs. Standard methods do not apply underwater, due to water's properties of reflecting and refracting sunlight. Referencing past studies, I was only able to find one other model done underwater, and on a much smaller scale. In order to achieve my goals, I designed an underwater independent coordinate system to properly display measurements for the subject being studied. Before departure, I did several pool tests, each one with different modifications to make sure that the scale would not move from its position, and that the model will be able to be picked up on Agisoft Metashape, the online software used. At the island, I took a series of photos from a multitude of different angles of the subject being captured. After returning to my home institution, I put the photos into Agisoft. I hope this project will help formulate future models for underwater conservation, helping visually demonstrate more specific changes over time than simple photos while also allowing insight for the general public to understand.