Find Academic Supervisors

Mohammad Kazemi BeydokhtiView profile

Research Fellow

• Machine Learning
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Geospatial Domain
• +5 more

Mohammad Kazemi Beydokhti is a Research Fellow (Level A) at RMIT University's Research & Innovation Capability department. He is also a PhD candidate with expertise in Machine Learning, NLP, and Geospatial Domain applications. His research focuses on qualitative spatial reasoning, GeoQA systems, knowledge graphs, and LLMs, with notable contributions to projects like Dynamic Vicmap (awarded the 'Innovation Award' by GCA) and the RMIT AWS Cloud Supercomputing Hub. He has collaborated with institutions like Utrecht University and has taught courses such as Advanced Imaging Technology (GEOM2112), Geospatial Programming with Python (GEOM2157), and Applied Geospatial Techniques (GEOM2450) as a tutor at RMIT from July 2021 to August 2024. His scientific contributions span geospatial question-answering systems, probabilistic spatial reasoning, and spatial-temporal modeling of seismic activity. Key projects include the DBSCAN-based seismic province analysis in Iran and ANP-OWA method applications in air quality monitoring station placement. Research Awards: Innovation Award (GCA) for Dynamic Vicmap project Labs/Teams: Involved in RMIT's AWS Cloud Supercomputing Hub and geospatial collaboration networks

Gabriel ParodiView profile

Lecturer

• Hydrology
• Remote Sensing
• Water Resources Management
• +5 more

Gabriel Parodi is a Lecturer in the Department of Water Resources at the University of Twente’s Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC). He holds a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Buenos Aires, an MSc in Water Resource Management and Earth Observation from ITC, and postgraduate diplomas in Structural Engineering. His career includes over a decade at Argentina’s National Institute for Agricultural Technology (INTA), where he specialized in agroecology and remote sensing applications for water management. Currently, he coordinates remote sensing education at ITC and lectures internationally on water resources management, catchment modeling, and operational EO products. His research focuses on hydrological remote sensing, agro-hydrological systems, and the integration of GIS technologies with environmental monitoring. Contributions highlight the symbiosis between plants, soils, and water in flatland ecosystems, with emphasis on sustainable development goals. His work bridges technical innovations with policy frameworks addressing water scarcity and environmental governance.

Sarah SchlosserView profile

Teaching Professor

• GIScience
• statistics
• spatial analysis
• +2 more

Sarah Schlosser serves as an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Colorado Boulder, teaching core GIS courses including GEOG 3053 (GIS: Mapping), GEOG 4503/5503 (GIS: Project Management), and GEOG 2053 (Mapping a Changing World) across multiple semesters through Summer 2025. Educational Background M.A. in Geography, University of South Florida, 2008 Research Focus Her work centers on GIScience, spatial statistics, and cartographic visualization with applied interests in wetland science and ecological restoration. Schlosser emphasizes practical methodologies for effective map creation and spatial analysis in environmental contexts, advancing both academic scholarship and professional GIS practice. Scholarly Contributions Her publication record, led by the 2024 open-access textbook Making Effective Maps: Cartographic Visualization for GIS , demonstrates sustained commitment to GIS education. Collectively addressing cartographic theory, pedagogy, and critical literature reviews, her work positions her as a key contributor to geospatial knowledge dissemination and teaching innovation. Professional Role Schlosser focuses exclusively on undergraduate instruction and curriculum development, explicitly noting she does not advise graduate students. Her teaching portfolio shows consistent dedication to enhancing GIS education through structured course design and practical resource creation.

Elena GHEZZOView profile

Research Fellow

• Paleontology
• Vertebrate Paleontology
• Quaternary Sciences
• +3 more

Elena Ghezzo is a Marie Curie Research Fellow at Ca' Foscari University's Department of Environmental Sciences, Computer Science and Statistics. Her current project (REFIND) focuses on Pleistocene paleontology and integrates remote sensing technologies with traditional field methods. She holds a PhD from the University of Florence (2015) and an MSc from the University of Ferrara (2011), with postgraduate training in GIScience from Padua (2016). Her research interests span vertebrate paleontology, Quaternary environmental change, and the application of geospatial technologies in fossil detection. Notable projects include taphonomic studies of the Equi cave site in the Apuane Alps and multidisciplinary analysis of Rancho La Brea megafauna extinctions. She has pioneered the use of multispectral satellite imaging for fossil site exploration and contributed to conservation strategies for museum specimens like Anthracotherium magnum. Ghezzo has been funded by major grants including the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (2018-2021) and DAAD fellowships (2013). She serves on the council of the Italian Paleontological Society and actively reviews for journals like Quaternary Science Reviews and PlosOne. Her work bridges paleoecology with modern conservation, advocating for interdisciplinary approaches through initiatives like the PaiP workshop for early-career researchers. Key expertise: Felid evolution, Pleistocene ecosystems, fossil preservation, drone-based archaeology Recent focus: Fire-driven ecosystem shifts in late Pleistocene California and paleontological contributions to ecosystem service assessments

Weng QihaoView profile

Professor

• Sustainability science
• Urban ecology
• GIscience
• +4 more

Qihao Weng is a prominent academic in Earth and Cosmic Sciences, currently serving as Chair Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (since 2021) and Professor at Indiana State University's Department of Earth & Environmental Systems (since 2009). He leads the Center for Urban and Environmental Change at Indiana State and is Editor-in-Chief of the ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. His research focuses on urban ecology, remote sensing, and geospatial AI, addressing urban climate, land use dynamics, and environmental sustainability. Dr. Weng has received numerous accolades, including Fellowships from AAAS, IEEE, and ASPRS, and prestigious awards like the Taylor & Francis Lifetime Achievement Award (2019) and AAG Distinguished Scholarship Honors (2021). He has held visiting professorships in China and France and contributed to NASA and Japanese research initiatives. His work bridges theoretical and applied geospatial science, emphasizing interdisciplinary urban and environmental studies. As a leader in remote sensing, he has directed major research centers and advised on international projects. His grants and collaborations span climate modeling, urban heat island mitigation, and geospatial technology development. Dr. Weng’s lab at Indiana State focuses on advancing sustainable urban systems through innovative geospatial methodologies.

Janet FranklinView profile

Professor

• Landscape Ecology
• Global Change Biology
• Conservation Biogeography
• +3 more

Janet Franklin is the Endowed Campanile Foundation Professor of Geography at San Diego State University (SDSU), affiliated with the College of Arts and Letters and the Center for Open Geospatial Sciences. Her research focuses on Landscape Ecology, Global Change Biology, and Conservation Biogeography, addressing ecological resilience to human-induced environmental changes. She holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of California, Santa Barbara (1988). Franklin’s career includes roles as Distinguished Professor Emerita at UC Riverside, Distinguished Biogeographer, and Adjunct Professorships at Arizona State University and the University of Queensland. She has led interdisciplinary projects on species distribution modeling, climate change impacts, and geospatial technologies. Her research emphasizes understanding plant community dynamics in forests, shrublands, and other ecosystems under global change. Collaborations with international scholars and practitioners drive solutions to ecological challenges. Notable awards include the James J. Parsons Award (2020), election to the National Academy of Sciences (2014), and Distinguished Fellow of the International Biogeography Society (2024).

• Geographical Criminology
• Urban Analysis
• Spatial Analysis and Statistics
• +5 more

Naru Shiode is an Associate Professor at the Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Kingston University, within the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment. A quantitative geographer and GIScientist, his work focuses on spatial-temporal modeling of crime patterns, urban risks, and data-driven geo-surveillance. PhD in Spatial Analysis, University College London MEng and BEng in Urban Engineering, University of Tokyo His research spans four domains: Geographical Criminology: Spatial collocation of crimes, hotspot displacement, seasonal crime resonance Urban Analysis: Linking vulnerable populations to risks like epidemics and riots Spatial Analysis and Modeling: Network-based statistics, geo-surveillance systems Data Science and Geo-visualization: 3D GIS models for urban and social data Collaborations include the London Mayor’s Office, Metropolitan Police, and Home Office. Key methodologies involve network-based scan statistics, recursive Voronoi diagrams, and spatial interpolation. Publications since 1999 highlight interdisciplinary work bridging GIS, urban planning, and public health.

Dillon MahmoudiView profile

Associate Professor

• Urban Geography
• Economic Geography
• Digital Capitalism
• +5 more

Dillon Mahmoudi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography & Environmental Systems at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). He holds affiliate faculty positions in the School of Public Policy and the Department of Economics, and is a Faculty Fellow at the Hilltop Institute. For AY 2024-2025, he is a Visiting Professor (Professeur invité) at the Centre Urbanisation Culture Société at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) in Montréal. His education includes a Ph.D. in Urban Studies and Planning from Portland State University, a Graduate Certificate in GIScience from the same institution, and a B.S. in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology. His research focuses on the intersections of economic geography, digital capitalism, urban inequality, and critical GIS, emphasizing how technology and spatial processes reproduce systemic inequities. Key research interests include algorithmic bias in urban planning, the material impacts of digital infrastructure, and the political ecology of housing and land use. He employs mixed-methods approaches, combining advanced quantitative GIS with qualitative analysis to interrogate spatial injustices. Recent work includes analyzing the 'Market Value Analysis' algorithm's role in perpetuating racialized disinvestment, examining Amazon's warehouse labor dynamics, and studying ground rent systems in Baltimore that disproportionately affect Black communities. His work has been featured in Political Geography , Annals of the American Association of Geographers , and Environment and Planning D . Dr. Mahmoudi teaches courses on economic geography, spatial data analysis, and GIS applications. He actively seeks graduate advisees interested in critical urban studies, digital geographies, and political economy approaches. His research has contributed to policy debates on equitable urban development and the ethical use of geospatial technologies.

Alan MurrayView profile

Professor

• Geographic Information Science
• Spatial Optimization
• Emergency Response Planning
• +5 more

Alan Murray is a **Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Personnel** in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he also holds the Yardi Chair in Geography. He previously held professorial roles at Ohio State University, Arizona State University, and Drexel University before returning to UCSB in 2015. Murray earned his BS in Mathematics, Master’s in Statistics and Applied Probability, and PhD in Geography, all from UCSB. His research focuses on **geographic information science (GIScience)**, **spatial optimization**, **emergency response**, **health informatics**, **urban development**, and **infrastructure systems**. He has pioneered methodologies for integrating multi-objective spatial optimization with GIS to address urban planning challenges, such as smart mobility and wildfire risk mitigation. His work emphasizes practical applications in disaster response, public health, and sustainable land use planning. Murray has advised numerous graduate students and contributed to cross-disciplinary initiatives in GIScience education and technology integration. His research has been disseminated through high-impact publications in journals like *Geographical Analysis* and *International Journal of Geographical Information Science*. He has also directed centers such as the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis. Key areas of current research include: GIScience education reform Spatial optimization for emergency response systems Wildfire risk assessment and community resilience Equitable urban planning frameworks His work bridges theoretical advancements with real-world applications, addressing pressing issues like climate adaptation, infrastructure resilience, and smart city design.

Kai HamburgerView profile

Assistant Professor

• Spatial Cognition
• Landmark-Based Wayfinding
• Multimodal Navigation
• +4 more

Kai Hamburger serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Science at Justus Liebig University Gießen, where he conducts research at the intersection of spatial cognition and sensory processing. His institutional role is evidenced by office location (Room F 161, Phil. I) and inclusion in the university's research team listings. His academic credentials include: Dipl.-Psych. from University of Frankfurt (2004) Dr. rer. nat. from University of Gießen (2007) Habilitation from University of Gießen (2015) Research focuses on multimodal landmark processing in human navigation, with pioneering work on olfactory and auditory spatial cues challenging traditional visual-centric models. His investigations into emotion-reasoning interactions —particularly how anxiety affects logical inference—and consciousness mechanisms in spatial tasks integrate cognitive psychology with geographic information science. Recent projects employ virtual reality environments like SQUARELAND to simulate real-world navigation challenges. Publication analysis reveals a decisive shift toward non-visual navigation research since 2020, with 60% of recent work exploring olfactory/auditory landmarks. His 2023-2025 output demonstrates strong collaboration with Markus Knauff's group and increasing application of GIScience methodologies to cognitive questions, particularly in urban navigation contexts. Dr. Hamburger contributes to the DFG-funded SPP1516 project "New Frameworks of Rationality" within a multidisciplinary team including cognitive scientists, psychologists, and computer scientists. The research group maintains dedicated facilities for virtual environment experiments and regularly publishes in high-impact journals like Frontiers in Psychology and Cognitive Science .

Christoph FinkView profile

Researcher

• Social geography
• Economic geography
• Urban geography
• +4 more

Christoph Fink is a visiting researcher at the Digital Geography Lab and the Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) at the University of Helsinki. He is affiliated with the Department of Geosciences and Geography and specializes in GIScience, digital geography, and urban accessibility research. His work focuses on age-aware transport modeling, open data applications, and critical cartography. Scientific Fields: Social geography, GIScience, digital geography, urban geography Projects: URBANAGE (age-friendly cities), CRITICAL (critical reading), illegal wildlife trade analysis His recent research explores intersections between urban mobility , green infrastructure , and data-driven policy . Key outputs include the Helsinki Region Travel Time Matrix dataset, which addresses interpersonal differences in transportation modeling. He has presented at international conferences like Mobile Tartu 2022 and contributed to policy reviews in smart city ethics. Award: 1st Prize ICC2019 Map Awards for digital geography innovations Media: Frequent contributor to biodiversity crisis and hunting policy analyses

Rick BunchView profile

Professor

• Geographic Information Science (GIS)
• Environmental Sustainability
• Habitat Suitability Modeling
• +3 more

Rick Bunch serves as a Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), where he teaches introductory through advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses. His research integrates geospatial technologies with environmental conservation and disaster management applications. His educational credentials include: Ph.D. in Geography, University of South Carolina (2000) M.S. in Geography, University of South Carolina (1998) B.S. in Geography, Ohio State University (1996) Bunch specializes in Geographic Information Science (GIScience), with research emphasizing habitat suitability modeling for species like Wild American Ginseng and Monarch Butterflies. His work bridges conservation biology, spatial analysis, and disaster response informatics, particularly through social media data mining during hurricanes. He has developed multidisciplinary frameworks for geospatial technologies in educational contexts and natural resource management. Analysis of his 2018-2024 publications reveals consistent methodological innovation in capability analysis, migratory pattern modeling, and disaster informatics. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between geography, ecology, and computational sciences, with increasing focus on climate resilience and species conservation. Scientific recognition includes: No formal awards documented in source materials Professor Bunch maintains active research collaborations across ecology, natural products chemistry, and disaster management fields. While student advising details are not specified, his co-authored publications indicate mentorship roles in graduate-level research. Current projects involve habitat suitability testing and social media analytics for emergency response. No dedicated laboratories or formal research teams are referenced, though his publications reflect sustained partnerships with environmental scientists, chemists, and disaster response specialists across multiple institutions.

• Geospatial Big Data Analytics
• GeoHealth
• GeoAI (Geospatial Artificial Intelligence)
• +7 more

Tao Hu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Oklahoma State University (OSU), serving since 2021. He holds a PhD (2015) and BS (2009) in Geography from Wuhan University, China. Prior to OSU, he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard University's Center for Geographic Analysis (2019–2021) and Kent State University (2016–2019). Research Focus: Leverages geospatial big data (remote sensing, social media, smartphone mobility) and GeoAI models to address health disparities, environmental health, and urban sustainability challenges. Key Contributions: Over 60 peer-reviewed articles, including 5 ESI Highly Cited Papers (top 1%). Research supported by NSF, USDA, and ESIP. His work spans FAIR workflow systems, disaster public perception analysis (e.g., Ohio train derailment), heat vulnerability modeling, and healthcare accessibility via mobility data. He emphasizes reproducible GIScience and societal impact through actionable insights. Teaching includes courses on GIS in public health, health geography, and programming for geospatial applications. His lab integrates geospatial AI with health equity, environmental justice, and smart city initiatives.

• Landscape Degradation
• Natural Resources Management
• Land Cover Change
• +7 more

Gabriel L. Judkins is a Professor in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He holds a Ph.D. from Arizona State University (2009). His research focuses on human-environment geography, emphasizing land degradation, natural resource management, and the interplay between global trade and environmental systems. He specializes in remote sensing, GIS, and geovisualization techniques for environmental monitoring, including applications in agricultural sustainability and pedagogy development. Dr. Judkins has developed geospatial tools such as the mobile augmented reality sandbox (Landstorm) with Dr. Michael Nicholl to enhance spatial learning in undergraduate education. His work also addresses transboundary water disputes and policy analysis, as seen in studies on the Yuma Desalting Plant and Cienega de Santa Clara. He is a recipient of the American Library Association's 'Outstanding Reference Source' award (2010) for his encyclopedia entry on environmental determinism. His teaching portfolio includes courses on natural disasters, global warming, GIS applications, and landscape degradation dynamics. He actively engages in fieldwork and interdisciplinary collaboration, bridging environmental science, policy, and educational technology.

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Power Transmission Planning
• Decision Support Systems
• +3 more

Dr. Joram Schito is a Lecturer at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zürich, affiliated with the Institute of Cartography and Geoinformatics. His work focuses on applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to solve complex infrastructure planning challenges, particularly in power transmission line routing, decision support systems, and multi-criteria analysis. He specializes in integrating technical, environmental, and stakeholder considerations to enhance sustainable infrastructure design and public acceptance. His research interests include 3D decision support systems (3D DSS), spatial data modeling for urban and environmental planning, and innovative visualization techniques such as sonification for geographic data exploration. Schito’s contributions emphasize the development of tools that bridge technical precision with societal needs, such as optimizing power line corridors and integrating underground cable systems with overhead infrastructure. His recent work highlights advancements in automated planning algorithms, stakeholder preference integration, and GIS-based frameworks for renewable energy systems. Though no specific grants or awards are listed, his publications reflect a strong focus on interdisciplinary solutions for civil and environmental engineering challenges. He actively contributes to academic conferences like GIScience, showcasing his commitment to advancing geospatial science.