Dr. Monica Pena Acosta

Biography

Monica Pena Acosta is an Assistant Professor at the University of Twente. Her research focuses on advancing urban data acquisition technologies by integrating diverse datasets such as satellite imagery, weather stations, and cadastral records. She explores intra-urban heat dynamics using data-driven methods to reveal connections between socio-economic factors and urban morphology, particularly temperature variations at the street level. Her work leverages Geographic Information Systems (GIS), urban informatics, and machine learning to uncover deeper insights into air and surface temperatures in cities, contributing to strategies that help urban areas cope with the changing climate. Her expertise includes Earth and Planetary Sciences, the Urban Heat Island Effect, and Urban Planning.

Research Interests