I am an Associate Professor of Geographic Information Science at the Geography Department of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I am also a Joint Faculty Affiliate in the Geographic Information Science and Technology Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. My research centers on the production and use of spatial sample data at the Census Bureau, US Forest Service, and other members fo the Federal Statistical System. My background in geostatistics, econometrics and population science allows me to think about the methods we use to produce data and ways to integrate GIS, statistics, and data science.
Applications include research with the US Census Bureau related to the production and visualization of the population data, research exploring methods to integrate survey data with satellite imagery, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and researching exploring the spatial patterns of social networks.
I am looking for MS/PhD or PhD students that are interested in the following topics:
I have security clearance to use raw survey data from the US Census Bureau on approved projects. In particular, it is often possible to identify the spatial context of an individual or to link records across surveys. This allows us to answer interesting questions for social science which help the Census Bureau to improve their own processes. Often times, students working with me will obtain this clearance as well so that they uses these data in their own work. I can also put students in contact with formal mentors within the Census Bureau. This is important training for possible careers in the Federal Statistical System. I am always interested in students with interesting ideas for research in this type of data environment.
New Project: I would be VERY interested in students interested in working with myself and the US Forest Service to develop spatio-temporal estimates of forest quality and quantity.