Song Shu

Dr. Song Shu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at Appalachian State University, specializing in remote sensing applications for cryospheric and hydrospheric studies. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati (2013–2019), an M.S. and B.S. from East China Normal University (2010–2013 and 2006–2010). Her research focuses on satellite altimetry, lake hydrology, and climate change impacts using advanced remote sensing techniques. She teaches courses such as GHY 3812: Geographic Information Systems, GHY 3310: Environmental Remote Sensing, and GHY 4810/5810: Digital Image Processing.

Her work emphasizes improving satellite altimetry for Earth surface dynamics, retrieving hydrosphere/cryosphere parameters (e.g., snow depth, lake levels), and analyzing climate change effects on lakes. Key contributions include studies on Arctic snow accumulation, Tibetan Plateau vegetation dynamics, and urban heat island mitigation. Dr. Shu collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, including ICESat-2 ice shelf analysis and water quality modeling in inland lakes.

Publications span high-impact journals like Remote Sensing of Environment (IF 9.09), IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (IF 5.86), and Nature Communications Earth & Environment. Her research integrates multi-source remote sensing data and geospatial methods to address global environmental challenges.