Ana Horta

Ana Horta is Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in Geospatial Science at Charles Sturt University, where she also serves as Head of Discipline for Geospatial Science. She is affiliated with the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences and the Gulbali Research Institute, contributing to the Inland Fisheries Research Group. Her work spans teaching, research, and leadership in spatial sciences, with a strong emphasis on real-world applications in environmental and public health domains.

• PhD in Environmental Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon (2011)
• MSc and BSc in Environmental Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico (1999)
• Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK, 2018)

Ana Horta’s research centers on spatial modeling, geostatistics, GIS, and machine learning for environmental and health applications. She specializes in spatiotemporal data analysis, uncertainty assessment, and digital soil mapping. Her work addresses pressing issues such as soil-water balance, habitat fragmentation, food environment accessibility, and water resource management. She integrates advanced statistical methodologies with remote sensing and drone-based imagery to deliver actionable insights.

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research, particularly at the intersection of geospatial science and public health. Themes include food retail accessibility in rural Australia, river connectivity in Indonesia, and national-scale soil salinity assessment in Portugal. These works demonstrate her commitment to solving complex environmental and social challenges using geospatial analytics.

• Charles Sturt Executive Deans Awards for Teaching (2022)
• John Harper Memorial Award (2022)
• Fellow, Higher Education Academy (UK, 2018)
• Geoderma’s Best Review Award (2015)
• Successful grant recipient: Australian Water Partnership (2022)
• Keynote speaker and workshop participant in international forums
• Editorial Board Member, Geoderma

Ana has supervised nine Honours and two PhD students to completion and continues to mentor early-career researchers. She has secured competitive research grants, including a major project on capacity development in spatial planning for water resources in Indonesia. Her teaching innovations have been recognized with university-level awards, reflecting her impact on student engagement and job readiness. She actively collaborates with national and international institutions and contributes to policy through public-facing research and media engagement.

Ana leads research within the Gulbali Research Institute and collaborates with the Inland Fisheries Research Group. She is involved in multidisciplinary teams focusing on environmental monitoring, water security, and rural health. Her lab activities emphasize applied geospatial modeling, often involving drone data, satellite imagery, and community-based participatory design.