Education
Radford University (Radford, Virginia)
Bachelor of Science: 2005
Geography Major
Class of 2005 Dean’s Scholar
Environmental Studies Concentration
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Blacksburg, Virginia)
Masters of Science August 2005 – Expected May 2007
Geography Major
Geospatial, Biogeography and Natural Resources Focus
Research Interests
I am primarily interested in GIS modeling, focusing of applying GIS models to real world applications.
However, I have many other interests and have worked on a diversity of research and projects from peregrine
falcon reintroduction and monitoring to municipal GIS applications. Recently, I have focused my research on
complex systems modeling, and spatial data fusion uncertainty. Under an NGA grant we are developing tools
to assess uncertainty in data fusion. I am also interested in applying GIS or other geographic concepts to
sustainable/green development and design. Biogeography is another passion of mine. I will be taking a
research trip to the Galapagos May 2007 for some island biogeography research.
Masters Thesis
“The multi-scale impacts of historical land use change on the native bees’ pollination
services of the Central Appalachian Orchard Region”
I became interested in the honey bee decline due to the high degree of publicity a few years ago.
This prompted me to further research bees and pollination services. I realized GIS or other geographic
methods and our emphasis on scale may be useful to this problem. This research looks at the influence of
native bees on pollination services and the land cover variables that effect populations of native bees.
A multiple scale approach is being used to determine if different variables or systems impact bee populations at various scales.
Graduate Assistantships
GRA: “Application of spatial uncertainty models to automate and enhance data fusion” (Bill Carstensen)
GTA: Medical Geography (Korine Kolivras)
Advisor
Lynn Resler
