Steven Rainey

Steven Rainey serves as Associate Professor of Geography in the Department of Social Sciences at McNeese State University's College of Liberal Arts, based in Kaufman 107A. Contact via srainey@mcneese.edu or 337-475-5359.

Education

• B.S. Geology from The University of Texas at Austin
• M.A. Geography from The University of Texas at Austin
• Ph.D. from Louisiana State University

Research Focus

Dr. Rainey specializes in cultural and political ecology, Latin American geography, and environmental systems, with fieldwork spanning Guatemalan highland soil knowledge, Amazonian Dark Earths (ADEs), and Madeira River dam impacts in Brazil. His work integrates ethnopedology, ethnoecology, and GIS for sustainable development applications.

Scientific Recognition

• National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant
• Fulbright Award (Guatemalan highlands soil systems)
• Fulbright Award (Amazonian Dark Earths and Madeira River research)

Academic Contributions

Teaches core geography courses including GIS I/II, Regional Geography of Latin America, Environmental Geography, and Political Geography. His grant-funded research demonstrates methodological innovation in human-environment systems across Latin America.