Dissertation Title: Geospatial Analytics for Point Clouds in an Open Science Framework Advisor: Dr. Helena Mitasova, Associate Director of Geovisualization, Center for Geospatial Analytics; Professor, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences   Abstract: Point clouds acquired by LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) or created from UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) imagery have transformed how the Earth's surface…

Title: Emerging Computing Trends, Web GIS Tools and Forecasting Methods for Geospatial Environmental Decision Support in Service of Complex Land Management Challenges Co-advisors: Dr. Stacy Supak, Teaching Assistant Professor, Center for Geospatial Analytics; Dr. Stacy Nelson, Faculty Fellow, Center for Geospatial Analytics and Professor, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources   Abstract: As anthropogenic ecological…

Dissertation Title: Eyes in the sky lend support for water quality monitoring across inland and coastal environments Advisor: Dr. Helena Mitasova, Associate Director of Geovisualization, Center for Geospatial Analytics; Professor, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Abstract: Satellite remote sensing can complement field observations by offering improved spatial and temporal resolutions, collecting imagery more…

Dissertation Title: Temporally dynamic viewscapes for modeling the past and future of visual landscape amenities Advisor: Dr. Jelena Vukomanovic, Faculty Fellow, Center for Geospatial Analytics; Assistant Professor, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Abstract: The visual connection humans make with the 3-dimensional elements of their surrounding landscape––known as a viewscape––is the primary way people…

Dissertation Title: Analytical approaches for plant pest management across the biosecurity continuum Advisor: Dr. Helena Mitasova, Associate Director of Geovisualization, Center for Geospatial Analytics; Professor, Department of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Abstract: Non-native plant pests and pathogens threaten biodiversity, ecosystem function, food security and economic livelihoods. Minimizing damage from biological invasions involves dynamic, multiscale…

Dissertation Title: Mapping forest host species distributions and understanding their effects on forecasts of disease spread Co-Advisors: Dr. Ross Meentemeyer, Director of the Center for Geospatial Analytics and Goodnight Distinguished Professor of Geospatial Analytics; Dr. Josh Gray, Faculty Fellow and Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources Abstract: Emerging infectious diseases of…

Defense Presentation Title: Quantifying on-farm reservoir dynamics: an Earth observation and hydrological modeling approach Advisor: Dr. Mirela G. Tulbure, Faculty Fellow and Associate Professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources Abstract: On-farm reservoirs (OFRs) are artificial water bodies that enable farmers to store water during the rainy season to support irrigation activities during…

Defense Presentation Title: Estimating and Forecasting the Spatio-Temporal Hypoxia Dynamics in Northern Gulf of Mexico Advisor: Dr. Daniel R. Obenour, Faculty Fellow and Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Abstract: Hypoxia is an environmental issue affecting the northern Gulf of Mexico. Models studying the causes and consequences of hypoxia in this…

Defense Presentation Title: Estimating and Modeling Structural Characteristics of Trees Within Aerial LiDAR Data Co-Advisors: Dr. Perver Baran, faculty fellow and teaching professor, Center for Geospatial Analytics; Dr. Laura Tateosian, faculty fellow and associate teaching professor, Center for Geospatial Analytics Abstract: The transparency and shape of tree crowns in urban areas play a critical role…