Sarah Parcak, Ph.D., an associate professor of anthropology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), has been named a National Geographic Fellow.

Parcak is a pioneer in the emerging field of satellite archaeology and an expert in remote-sensing. She uses satellite imagery to identify ancient sites around the world that were thought to be lost forever.

As a fellow, Parcak will work to “leverage emerging technologies relating to satellite archaeology in high-profile geographic areas critical to human history and cultural preservation,” according to theNational Geographic site. She also will work to engage the public in interpreting “big data,” such as large quantities of satellite imagery.