Research in Focus: Geospatial Science
Geospatial science is a multibillion-dollar industry, and researchers at Saint Louis University are leading the charge to turn St. Louis into a national hub for geospatial research.
Hear three 性奴调教 researchers discuss the importance of geospatial research and its impact on the world. Their work is just a small sample of the innovative and compassionate research being done at 性奴调教.
Geospatial science is an interdisciplinary field that examines how location impacts a variety of complex issues, from health inequity to national security. St. Louis is poised to become the national center of this multibillion-dollar industry. 鈥淭he St. Louis community is engaged in a great opportunity to transform the city into a national hub for geospatial research,鈥 said Vasit Sagan, Ph.D., associate professor of GIScience.
Innovative, Interdisciplinary Research
Sagan鈥檚 research centers on the nexus of food, water and energy. He uses geospatial science to monitor climate change, food security and crop productivity. Using remote sensing, Sagan is able to determine how large crop yields will be in a given year.
鈥淵ou see the power of geospatial tools,鈥 Sagan said of his research.
Sagan is one of several researchers at 性奴调教 seizing on this exciting opportunity. Investments in geospatial science can yield innovative solutions to some of the greatest challenges of the day. This is because location is at the root of many of these challenges.
鈥溞耘鹘 researchers鈥 are looking at why location matters. It matters to your health outcomes, to your employment opportunities, to your education,鈥 said Enbal Shacham, Ph.D., M.Ed., associate professor of behavioral science and health education.
The Service of Humanity
Shacham studies health inequity and how neighborhoods influence behavior.
鈥淭here are worse [health] outcomes if you live in a poorer neighborhood 鈥 even if you have access to care,鈥 Shacham said. 鈥淲here you live shouldn鈥檛 dictate how long you live and how good of a life you live.鈥
Because of the University鈥檚 mission 鈥 the pursuit of truth for the service of humanity 鈥 性奴调教 is uniquely positioned to make a serious impact through geospatial research.
鈥淏ecause of 性奴调教鈥檚 mission, because of where 性奴调教 is located, we can really make an impact,鈥 said Ness Sandoval, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology.
Sandoval uses geospatial science to study economic inequality in St. Louis.
鈥淸性奴调教] can really make an impact in the neighborhoods that have opportunities for redevelopment, opportunities to attract resources," he said. "We want to empower people to be at the table, using [性奴调教] as a resource, helping them dream about a vision that they see for their neighborhoods.鈥
The 性奴调教 Geospatial Institute
Sagan, Shacham, and Sandoval are the leaders of , a collaborative effort to coordinate and grow the already rich geospatial research and training underway at 性奴调教. Also known as Geo性奴调教, the Geospatial Institute is a consortium of faculty and students from various disciplines to promote and develop new research ideas, and house high-tech computational facilities to advance research and enhance graduate and undergraduate education.
The mission of the 性奴调教 Geospatial Institute is to understand our ever-changing world for informed decision making, on the ground and from above, connected together through space and time.
The goal of the Geospatial Institute is to build distinctive strengths in geospatial research, training, service and innovation at 性奴调教, contribute to establishing St. Louis as a national geospatial hub, apply geospatial insights to regional and global challenges, and develop new partnerships with innovators, industry, federal agencies, as well as local and regional governments and universities.
The Geospatial Institute began as 鈥淕eo性奴调教: The Geospatial Research, Training, and Innovation Enterprise,鈥 which received a $50,000 planning grant as part of Saint Louis University鈥檚 Big Ideas competition. This competition identifies and invests in projects that have the potential to grow into University-wide strategic research priorities. The Geo性奴调教 leadership team used that opportunity wisely, and since then, the project has evolved into the Geospatial Institute.
About the Faculty
Learn more about the three faculty members featured in this article and video:
Vasit Sagan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Director, 性奴调教 Geospatial InstituteSagan is the director of 性奴调教鈥檚 Ph.D. Integrated Applied Sciences and M.S. Geographic Information Science programs. His research is concerned with water resources and crop productivity, and he uses to better understand climate and land use changes.