Undergraduate Research Program

Mentors: Dr. Jelena Vukomanovic, Dr. Kate Jones, Ph.D. Student Christina Perella

Tribal communities have long shown resilience in the face of change and are devoting resources to climate adaptation planning to protect the health of people, habitats, species, and other community resources. This multi-institution project focuses on tribal access to, and relationships with, species and habitats of cultural importance under future climate, land use, and demographic scenarios. We seek an intern to contribute to modeling efforts using open-source software to understand human migration and environmental change over multi-generational timescales.

Responsibilities may include:

• Data collection
• Spatial and tabular data analysis
• Forest succession modeling
• Creation of visualizations

Skills you will develop

• GIS
• Scripting
• Data Visualization
• Preference will be given to applicants with a background in ecology, forestry or environmental science

Mentors: Dr. Jelena Vukomanovic, Dr. Kate Jones, Ph.D. Student Rachel Layko

Inland and river cultural landscapes are affected by climate change impacts like river flooding, more frequent/intense storms, and rising temperatures. We are developing methods for cultural landscape climate change vulnerability assessments (CCVA) that address data gaps, inform site condition assessment, and plan targeted adaptation strategies. We seek an intern interested in forecasting climate threats to existing National Park Service natural and cultural resources.

Responsibilities may include:

• Data collection and cataloging
• Spatial (GIS) and tabular climate data analysis
• Scripting
• Flood modeling
• Design of interactive user interfaces
• Stakeholder engagement

Skills you will develop:

• GIS
• Data Visualization
• Dashboard Development
• Scripting

Mentor: Dr. Jen Richmond-Bryant

Communities faced with intractable environmental challenges across the U.S. have mobilized to improve the health of their communities through a variety of approaches. The Justice Mapper will create a story map documenting the experiences of communities, methods used for spreading advocacy and overcoming challenges, and outcomes of such efforts. The story map will be maintained as a “living document” that is added to by future students to grow this map as a public resource. Flexible location and hours.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Prefer that students have taken GIS 280 prior to applying (but not required).
• Experience with story maps is desirable, but we also welcome students without prior professional background if they embrace the learning experience.

Mentors: Dr. Chris Jones, Dr. Tom Lake

We are recruiting 1-2 undergraduate students to assist at the Center for Geospatial Analytics in the Landscape Dynamics group, led by center director Ross Meentemeyer. Our group develops modeling and analytics in two focal research areas: Biological Invasions and Urban Systems. The research assistant(s) will contribute to a Biological Invasions’ project(s) focused on mapping and simulating the spread of invasive pests and pathogens in the US and world.

Responsibilities may include:

• attending meetings virtually and in person
• conducting literature reviews
• collecting data
• data labeling
• creating databases
• assisting in the validation of remote sensing and AI image classification

The research assistant(s) will receive training to accomplish the required duties.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Students particularly interested in applying geospatial analytics to investigate and map biological invasions along with necessary data collection would be most suited to this position.
• Preference will be given to junior and senior-level students with experience in programming (e.g., R, Python) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). 

Mentor: Dr. Jacelyn Rice-Boayue

This project explores integrating risk mapping into early flood warning systems. It identifies contamination hotspots from land use and pollution sources, alongside social vulnerabilities like healthcare access. Using spatial data, satellite imagery, and GIS techniques such as kernel density estimation and indicator kriging, the team will generate contamination hotspot maps. These maps will be integrated into a GIS database to visualize contamination risks. The project aims to improve flood risk management by providing crucial insights into environmental hazards and social vulnerabilities, enhancing public safety and resilience.

Preferred skills:

• Proficiency in GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
• Database management

Mentor: Dr. Mirela Tulbure

Join Dr. Mirela G. Tulbure and the Geospatial Analysis for Environmental Change Lab to explore how cutting-edge satellite imagery and AI/Machine Learning (ML) can be used to map flood extent and assess damage. As a research assistant, you’ll gain hands-on experience in Python coding, geospatial data analysis, visualization, and scientific communication. Your work will contribute to real-world disaster research and culminate in a presentation at the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium. Check out some of our prior work here.

Preferred Qualifications:

• GIS experience (from classes, internships, online training, or prior research)
• Willingness to learn Python
• Passion for research

Mentor: Dr. Georgina Sanchez

The Landscape Dynamics group at the Center for Geospatial Analytics is recruiting two NC State undergraduate students to contribute to a U.S. Geological Survey Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center-funded project exploring the interactions between demographic change, climate adaptation, and conservation actions in the U.S. Caribbean.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with our team in reviewing scientific literature
• Participate in in-person ideation sessions
• Create maps and perform basic spatial analysis
• Disseminate research at appropriate venues

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is highly preferred
• Familiarity with R or Python for data processing
• Strong communication skills to effectively convey complex concepts

Mentor: Dr. Georgina Sanchez

The Landscape Dynamics group at the Center for Geospatial Analytics is recruiting an NC State undergraduate student to support an NC Sea Grant-funded project in partnership with the Town of Leland’s Planning & Inspections Department. This collaboration explores how land change modeling projections can inform short- and long-term planning and implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with our team in reviewing scientific literature and planning documentation
• Participate in in-person and virtual discussions
• Create a geospatial database using public sources, data generated by the research team, and data provided by the Town of Leland
• Organize the data into web maps for quick overlay and visualization of layers
• Compile the web maps into a story map highlighting key trends and patterns

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with ArcGIS pro and online is required
• Strong communication skills to effectively convey complex concepts