David Viertel

David Viertel serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Geology/Geography at Eastern Illinois University, where he maintains an office in Physical Sciences room 2055 (phone: 217-581-6244, email: dviertel@eiu.edu). His primary academic discipline centers on Geography with strong interdisciplinary connections to Geology.

His research focuses on three interconnected domains:

• Fluvial Geomorphology: Long-term analysis of river channel evolution, particularly documenting eight decades of geomorphological changes along Illinois' Little Wabash River through historical mapping and sediment transport studies.
• Geospatial Applications: Development of GIS methodologies for land use planning, public participation GIS (PPGIS), and integration of Lidar remote sensing with socioeconomic urban analysis.
• Geoscience Education: Design of interdisciplinary undergraduate research opportunities bridging geography and geology fieldwork.

Publication trends reveal sustained investigation of the Little Wabash River system since 2003, with recent 2024 studies advancing fluvial evolution documentation and practical PPGIS frameworks. His work consistently connects physical landscape analysis with human dimensions of planning and education, demonstrating methodological versatility across remote sensing, historical geography, and pedagogical innovation.