Kevin Lacaille

I am a

astrophysicist ➡️ software engineer

🔭 I was an observational astronomer working in the field of galaxy evolution and dynamics, where I used the world's best telescopes to look deep into space, and back in time, to a time when galaxies were younger and and more violent than they are today.

⭐ By studying their galactic dust and gas heated by exploding stars and active black holes, I uncovered how galaxies use them to fuel their star formation.

👨‍💻 I applied my knowledge in both physics and astrophysics to create innovative computer vision and image processing algorithms for aerospace and maritime technology in industry.

🛰️ Now, I combine my passions for imagery, computer vision, and remote sensing to develop open source software to empower fellow scientists and developers to explore the Earth.

talking


writing

8

Unique astrophysics projects

33

Published papers

(peer-reviewed)

1152

Citations

1620

Reads

(past 90 days)

Skills

Python 100%
SQL 90%
MATLAB 60%
TypeScript 70%
git 80%
Amazon Web Services (AWS)60%

Resume

Summary

Kevin Lacaille

I bridge the fields of imaging science and software development with expertise in geospatial data engineering, computer vision, and machine learning. My career focuses on developing image processing pipelines, photogrammetry algorithms, and web APIs. Passionate about the intersection of drone technology, GIS, and remote sensing, I uncover new insights and applications that drive innovation. With a strong background in Python, TypeScript, and AWS, I contribute to the evolving landscape of aerial and satellite imagery.

Professional Experience

Data Engineer

Atomic Maps, Remote, Canada
2024 - Present
Developing and maintaining robust data pipelines and storage solutions for geospatial data integration and analysis.
    Technologies: Python, GDAL, PDAL, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, Docker, AWS (S3, Lambda, ECS), Elasticsearch, OpenSearch
    Tools: Git, Bash, Jupyter Notebook, QGIS, ArcGIS
    Skills: Data Engineering, Geospatial Data Processing, ETL Pipelines, Data Storage Optimization, Client Collaboration, Technical Communication

Senior Software Engineer

Spexi Geospatial, Remote, Canada
2023 - 2024
Developing an advanced geospatial drone imagery marketplace, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to scale and optimize performance.
  • Developed and implemented Spexi's geo-referencing service for drone imagery, ensuring high precision and efficiency.
  • Designed scalable image processing pipelines and data ingestion services to enhance Spexi's imagery capabilities.
  • Integrated photogrammetry algorithms for 3D reconstruction and image stitching, advancing Spexi's geospatial analysis offerings.
  • Developed and deployed image processing and computer vision models for precise object detection and classification using WALDO and YOLOv7.
  • Developed a robust data science framework to support Spexi's imagery marketplace and data analytics initiatives.
  • Python: PyTorch, Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX), OpenCV, SciPy, NumPy, Matplotlib, Rasterio, geojson, asyncio
    TypeScript & JavaScript: Node, Turbo, Knex.JS, Turf.JS, Express.TS
    Tools: git, bash, GitHub, Metashape, Docker, Atlassian Tools, Google Earth Engine (GEE)
    Cloud: Amazon Web Services (AWS); Lambda, SQS, SageMaker, CloudWatch, S3, ECS
    Database: PostgreSQL, PostGIS
    OS: MacOS

Software Engineer

Planet Labs, Remote, Canada
2021 - 2023
Developer Relations
Developing tools to enable and empower fellow scientists and developers to do amazing things using Planet's APIs and imagery.
  • Lead developer on Planet's Python SDK, including a Python client and a command line interface (CLI) for Planet's public APIs.
    Planet SDK
  • Working directly with users to develop custom GIS solutions.
  • Developing GIS-based code examples and demo apps and creating code-focused tutorials.
    Planet Notebooks
  • Writing technical blog posts for Planet's Developer Center and maintaining developer tools documentation.
    Developer Center Blog
    Developer Center
  • Python: asyncio, click, httpx, Rasterio, geojson, NumPy, Matplotlib, OpenCV, SciPy
    Web Dev: HTML, JS, CSS, Redoc, Jinja, Pelican
    Tools: git, bash, GitHub, GitLab, Jupyter Notebooks, Docker, Atlassian Tools, Google Earth Engine (GEE)
    Cloud: Google Cloud Platform (CGP)
    OS: MacOS

Algorithm Engineer

L3Harris WESCAM, Burlington, ON
2019 - 2021
Advanced Processing Team
Developed novel image processing pipelines and synthetic data generation tools for airborne and maritime platforms.
  • The lead algorithm developer for two novel infrared-based imaging systems.
  • Developed object detection, multi-target tracking, track to track association, and track fusion algorithms for imaging systems.
  • Developed a radiometrically accurate synthetic data generator, resulting in massive reductions in labour hours spent in gathering feld imagery and rapid development of computer vision models.
  • Maintained a ground truth and data ingestion application, an optical Yow model (FlowNet2), and an incorporated an object classifer (YOLOv4).
  • Python: Matplotlib, NumPy, OpenCV, Pytorch, Tensorflow, Keras, SciPy, Scikit-learn
    MATLAB: Image Processing, Computer Vision, Signal Processing, Deep Learning
    Tools: git, bash, Docker, Atlassian Tools
    OS: Linux

Research Assistant

McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
2012 - 2019
Observational Astrophysics Labs
Hands-on observational astronomy to commission prototype sensors and detect some of the most distant and ancient star systems.
  • Developed spectral line fitting algorithms, modelled galaxy's dynamics, and used statistical analysis to uncover distant galaxies.
  • Designed algorithms to align obscured star maps to unprecedented accuracy to confidently measure stellar growth.
  • Python: Matplotlib, NumPy, SciPy, Pandas, AstroPy, AplPy, PyFits, Galpak
    Tools: git, Starlink, CASA, LaTeX
    OS: Linux, MacOS

Resident Scientist

East Asian Obervatory, Hilo, HI
2016
  • Assisted in commissioning of an instrument on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT)
  • Conducted >450 hrs of scientific observations with the JCMT's legacy and prototype instruments
  • Python: Matplotlib, NumPy, AstroPy, AplPy, PyFits
    Tools: git, bash, Starlink
    OS: Linux

Education

Doctor of Philosophy (self-withdrew), Astrophysics

McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
2017 - 2019

Thesis title: "The nature of the interstellar medium of starbursts"

Master of Science, Physics

Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
2015 - 2017

Thesis title: "A sub-mm survey of far-IR protoclusters & the variability of protostars"

Bachelor of Science Honours, Physics & Math

Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
2011 - 2015

Thesis title: "Locating sub-mm galaxies within protoclusters at z>2"