Research Areas
The following research areas represents the current interests of committed mentors:
Biodiversity (B): Biodiversity research centers on the study and conservation of the variety of life forms within ecosystems, examining factors that influence species diversity and the impacts of human activities on ecosystems.
Climate Systems (CS): Climate systems research investigates the complex interactions and processes within the Earth’s climate, including climate change, weather patterns, and atmospheric dynamics, to better understand and mitigate climate-related challenges.
Environmental Justice (EJ): Research in this area examines the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, focusing on marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and advocating for fair access to resources and protection.
Green Infrastructure (GI): This field explores the use of natural systems and vegetation to enhance urban infrastructure, addressing challenges such as urban heat islands and stormwater runoff through techniques like green roofs and permeable pavement.
Habitat Restoration (HR): Habitat restoration research aims to revitalize and rehabilitate ecosystems that have been degraded or damaged, often involving efforts to reintroduce native species and improve ecological health.
Spatial Modeling (SM): Spatial modeling involves the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and mathematical models to analyze and predict spatial patterns and relationships in various fields, such as urban planning, ecology, and epidemiology.
Urban Water (UW): Research in this area focuses on the management and sustainability of water resources within urban environments, addressing issues like water quality, stormwater management, and access to clean water in cities.
our mentors
Research Areas associated with each mentor are in parentheses.
Craig Allan (UW, HR,GI) Urban impacts on watershed processes; evaluation of urban stream restoration on floodplain retention
Sandra Clinton (UW, HR, GI, B) Impacts of urban stream restoration; molecular methods in freshwater ecosystems
Casey Davenport (CS, SM) Impact of small spatiotemporal scale changes in the environment on the evolution and severe weather production of severe thunderstorms
Youngseob Eum (SM) GIScience, urban analytics, health and medical geography; spatial data science; human mobility
Sara Gagné (B) Urban biodiversity conservation; human-wildlife interactions in urban ecosystems
Cynthia Gibas (UW, B) Bacterial genetics and genomics, metagenomics, microbiology of human-built urban environments
Fushcia-Ann Hoover (UW, GI, EJ) Green infrastructure; environmental justice; urban planning; socio-ecological systems
Adam Reitzel (B) Evolution and ecology of invertebrates with a particular emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms for adaptation and acclimation
Wenwu Tang (SM) Cyberinfrastructure and high-performance geocomputation, agent-based modeling, land change modeling, Web GIS, and their geospatial applications