معرفی
Michael Alonzo serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Science at American University and is affiliated with the Center for Environment, Community and Equity (CECE). His work integrates geospatial science, urban ecology, and environmental justice to address climate change impacts in cities through evidence-based heat mitigation strategies.
His research focuses on:
- Urban heat island dynamics and tree-mediated cooling effects
- Environmental equity in green space access and benefits
- Geospatial analysis of urban ecosystems using satellite/drone/mobile sensors
- Community-driven research methodologies in environmental science
Alonzo employs innovative data collection combining bike/car-mounted temperature sensors with high-resolution satellite and drone thermal imagery. His work has directly informed urban forestry policies across multiple U.S. cities and influenced regional tree canopy legislation by identifying optimal conditions for equitable heat mitigation.
Current research initiatives include:
- NSF-funded urban tree heat response study: Physiological analysis of urban trees under thermal stress
- International Society of Arboriculture project: Spatial optimization of tree planting for maximum cooling impact
- CECE Haiti initiative: Remote sensing and community co-production for sustainable land management
He teaches satellite remote sensing, GIS, and urban ecology courses, training students in geospatial techniques applied to real-world environmental challenges while emphasizing justice-centered research approaches.
