Gaurav Sinha

Gaurav Sinha is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Ohio University, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. He holds a PhD in Geography from the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and a B.Sc. in Geological Sciences from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. His academic work is deeply rooted in Geographic Information Science (GISc), where he contributes as a researcher, educator, and curriculum leader.

• B.Sc., Geological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, India (1996–1999)
• M.A., Geography, University at Buffalo–SUNY (2000–2005)
• Ph.D., Geography, University at Buffalo–SUNY (2000–2007)

His research centers on geospatial ontologies, terrain analysis, and the cognitive and computational representation of geographic information. He investigates how landscapes are conceptualized and modeled, particularly through topographic ontologies and semantic frameworks for landforms and surface water. His interdisciplinary work spans environmental science, education, public health, and urban policy.

The publications he has authored or co-authored reflect a strong trend in foundational GIScience, with emphasis on semantic modeling, spatial reasoning, and participatory methods. His recent work advances the automated extraction of terrain features using ontologies, integrates GIS into K–12 education, and applies geospatial analysis to issues like media deserts and transportation safety.

• Co-PI, Media Deserts Research Project, Democracy Fund/Duke University ($25,000)
• Co-PI, Tree Canopy Impact on Pavement, Ohio DOT/FHWA ($72,803)
• Co-PI, Mathematical Modeling and Spatial Reasoning (Modspar), Ohio Department of Higher Education ($175,598)
• Co-PI, Participatory GIS in Northern Tanzania, NSF ($571,859)

He teaches core GIS courses including Introduction to GIS, Principles of GIS, Advanced Spatial Analysis, and a graduate seminar in GIScience. He also directs both the undergraduate and graduate GIS certificate programs at Ohio University, shaping curriculum and mentoring students. His collaborations extend across departments and institutions, involving researchers from geography, education, civil engineering, journalism, and the USGS.