Matthew Liss

Profile

Uncrewed Aircraft Systems student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with experience in UAS flight planning, aerial mapping, LiDAR, and GIS analysis. Interested in UAS operations and geospatial roles supporting defense and ISR.

Education

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University · Prescott
B.S. in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems · UAS Pilot Track
Expected May 2027 · GPA: 3.53
GIS certificate expected December 2026; GIS minor in progress

Academic recognition

Dean’s List: Fall 2023, Spring 2025, Spring 2026
Honor Roll: Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Fall 2025

Aviation credentials

• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Private Pilot Certificate
• FAA Drone TRUST
• 62 UAS flight hours · 67 manned flight hours, as reported October 2026

Technical skills

ArcGIS Pro · LiDAR processing · Digital surface models · Solar radiation analysis · Landsat band composites · Network service-area analysis · UAS mission planning · Crew resource management

Selected projects

Pittsburgh Rooftop Solar Analysis
Used LiDAR-derived surface data to model solar radiation and compare mean rooftop exposure across building footprints in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Landsat Analysis
Compared multispectral band combinations and prepared matched map layouts to interpret land-cover features.

Sandhill Crane Census · Classroom scenario
Served as RPIC in a simulated mission-planning and crew coordination exercise addressing communications, airspace, and DOI compliance considerations.

Coastal Landslide Survey · Classroom scenario
Prepared GCS telemetry, sensor operation, and lost-link response considerations for a simulated fixed-wing VTOL mapping mission.

Activities

UAS Club: photogrammetry mission, campus LiDAR mapping, and mock search-and-rescue thermal exercise.