GIScience methodologies Professors and Supervisors

Morteza KarimzadehView profile

Assistant Professor

University of ColoradoUnited States

Morteza Karimzadeh is an Assistant Professor of Geography at the University of Colorado Boulder, with courtesy appointments in Computer Science and Information Science. He directs the Geospatial Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Lab (GeoHAI) and serves as Faculty Fellow at the Institute of Behavioral Science and CU Population Center. His research interests span geospatial data science, machine learning, human-centered visual analytics, and remote sensing applications in public health and environmental science. Key domains include sea ice mapping, chronic disease epidemiology, renewable energy systems, and digital humanities. Publication trends reveal 15 recent works (2023-2025) focused on: Sea ice segmentation & cryospheric monitoring PM2.5 pollution and respiratory health Spatiotemporal disease forecasting Geovisualization tools for dengue and zika Human mobility analysis via wearable devices Energy grid data visualization He actively supervises graduate students including Sepideh Jalayer and Zhongying Wang, and has received research funding from National Science Foundation , NASA , NREL , NIH , and Population Council .

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Felix Haifeng LiaoView profile

Associate Professor

University of IdahoUnited States

Felix Haifeng Liao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences at the University of Idaho , a flagship R1 research institution. He also holds affiliate/participating faculty roles at the Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation , National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology , and Center for Resilient Communities . Education : PhD in Geography (University of Utah, 2014), MPhil in Geography (University of Hong Kong, 2008), BS in Economic Geography and Planning (Sun Yat-sen University, 2002). Liao specializes in GIScience , spatial analysis and modeling , and their applications in urban and transportation planning , sustainable agriculture/food systems , land use , water sustainability , and geohealth . His methodological approach often incorporates multi-scale analysis , spatiotemporal modeling , and place-based frameworks . Recent research demonstrates interdisciplinary trends across environmental science , urban ecology , and public health , with a focus on climate change mitigation , transportation safety , and food system resilience . Articles highlight spatiotemporal heterogeneity in wetland conservation, socioeconomic drivers of urban forests, and pandemic impacts on mobility patterns. Labs/Teams : Collaborates with the University of Idaho's research institutes to address regional challenges in the Pacific Northwest, including water scarcity and urban heat distribution.

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Noelle RellesView profile

Assistant Professor

Hamilton CollegeUnited States

Noelle Relles serves as an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Biology at Hamilton College, appointed in 2021. She teaches undergraduate courses including Biochemistry, Cellular Neurobiology, and Genes and Genomes within the Biology Department. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the College of William & Mary (concentrations: biology and marine policy) and a B.S. from Cornell University. Dr. Relles specializes in applying satellite remote sensing to monitor coral reef ecosystems, with fieldwork focused on Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean. Her research directly informs marine conservation policy, notably guiding management decisions for the Bonaire National Marine Park through spatial analysis of reef health and degradation trends. Analysis of her publications reveals consistent integration of geospatial technology with marine policy, emphasizing long-term ecological monitoring in Caribbean protected areas. Her work bridges marine biology, remote sensing methodology, and actionable conservation strategies across journals like the Journal of the Marine Biological Association UK and GIScience & Remote Sensing. She received the GK12 PERFECT Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (2009-2011) for science education initiatives. Dr. Relles actively disseminates research through international conferences including the International Coral Reef Symposium and co-authored the guidebook Getting Into Graduate School in the Sciences: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students.

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Klaus SteinView profile

Part-Time Lecturer

Otto Friedrich University of BambergGermany

Klaus Stein is a part-time lecturer at the Chair of Heritage Conservation , Otto-Friedrich University of Bamberg. His work bridges digital technologies , spatial modeling , and cultural heritage through interdisciplinary research projects. Co-leader of the UrbanMetaMapping project (BMBF-funded) analyzing WWII war damage maps Developed KTF (Wiki-based terminology framework) for SMEs Contributed to COM (Communication-Oriented Modeling) DFG research network Active in EMN-MOVES project for age-friendly mobility solutions His research focuses on digital heritage , social network analysis , and collaborative GIS , with over 20 years of publications in spatial cognition and information systems . While his primary role involves teaching in the Master's program in Digital Heritage Technologies , he also contributes to open-source GIS and web mining methodologies. Key projects include: Find Diversity (BioDiv2Go): Promoting biodiversity awareness via location-based games Virtual Spaces : Digital reconstruction of historical church color schemes

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Farzaneh Dadrass JavanView profile

Assistant Professor

University of TwenteNetherlands

Dr. Farzaneh Dadrass Javan is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Earth Observation Science, Faculty of Geo-Information and Earth Observation (ITC), University of Twente, Netherlands. Her academic journey began at the University of Tehran, Iran, where she earned her PhD and MSc in Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. She contributes to interdisciplinary research bridging UAV technology, Artificial Intelligence, and data fusion for environmental and societal challenges, particularly in the Global South. Research Interests: Her work focuses on multi-scale geospatial data integration, leveraging drones to bridge ground and satellite observations. Key areas include Environmental monitoring through UAV-aided remote sensing Explainable AI for ecological and agricultural applications 3D modeling of urban and heritage sites Climate resilience and drought analysis in Iran Deep learning for infrastructure and vegetation health assessment Scientific Contributions: With over 59 research outputs, she specializes in UAV photogrammetry, multi-sensor fusion, and AI-driven environmental solutions. Her projects address water and health security in marginalized communities, precision agriculture, and smart cities. She has received recognition for journal-featured papers, APC waivers, and invitations to speak at global conferences. Awards and Leadership: Guest Editor for Remote Sensing Journal and Drones Journal panel member Associate Editor for GIScience Journal Scientific Committee roles in ISPRS, IEEE, and SEFI conferences External examiner/supervisor for universities in South Africa, USA, Belgium, and Netherlands Education: She holds a PhD and MSc from the University of Tehran, supervised by Prof. Farhad Samadzadegan.

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Brian BeckerView profile

Professor

Central Michigan UniversityUnited States

Brian Becker is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and affiliated with the Institute for Great Lakes Research. His expertise bridges remote sensing technology and environmental science, with specialized focus on wetland ecology and aquatic system monitoring through advanced spectral analysis techniques. His academic foundation includes: Ph.D. from Michigan State University (2002) M.S. from University of Illinois (1993) B.S. from Eastern Illinois University (1989) Professor Becker's research program centers on developing and applying remote sensing methodologies for environmental assessment. He pioneers techniques for water quality parameter estimation (particularly CDOM and chlorophyll-a) in optically complex inland waters, utilizes hyperspectral data for wetland characterization, and creates algorithms for invasive species mapping. His work integrates field spectroscopy with satellite imagery to address challenges in freshwater ecosystems, with emphasis on spatio-temporal dynamics and algorithm validation for practical environmental management applications. Analysis of his 14 publications (2005-2018) reveals consistent innovation in remote sensing of aquatic environments. Key contributions include developing semi-analytical models for CDOM in shallow waters, optimizing spectral band selection for wetland monitoring, and creating spatial analysis techniques for large raster datasets. His research demonstrates strong methodological rigor while addressing real-world environmental challenges across the Great Lakes region and international sites like China's West Lake. As an educator, Professor Becker teaches Geographic Information Sciences, Remote Sensing, Image Processing, Environmental Science, and CAD Mapping for GIS. His affiliation with the Institute for Great Lakes Research provides students access to interdisciplinary freshwater research opportunities. While specific current grant details aren't provided, his extensive publication record in high-impact journals indicates sustained research activity with potential for student involvement in field campaigns, algorithm development, and environmental monitoring projects.

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