John Wilson

Dr. John Wilson is a Professor at the University of Southern California (USC), holding academic positions across multiple schools including Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Viterbi School of Engineering; Keck School of Medicine; and USC School of Architecture. He is the founding Director of the Spatial Sciences Institute and leads interdisciplinary research in spatial analytics, GIScience, and environmental health. His work integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, and spatial modeling to address challenges in community health, sustainability, and urban resilience.

Dr. Wilson holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Toronto and advanced degrees from the University of Canterbury. His research emphasizes geodesign, digital terrain modeling, and the application of spatial technologies to public health and environmental science. He directs the Wilson Map Lab, which develops tools for healthier communities and resilient landscapes using BIM, GPS, and remote sensing technologies.

His publications span GIScience, environmental health, and spatial data science, with over 130 articles and book chapters. Notable works include Environmental Applications of Digital Terrain Modeling and an upcoming book on spatial data science. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of Transactions in GIS and leads multiple research initiatives, including the Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center and the Center for Knowledge-Powered Interdisciplinary Data Science.

Recent research focuses on mobility patterns, PM2.5 exposure during pregnancy, and spatial equity in healthcare access. He has secured grants for sustainability solutions and collaborates internationally, including with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.