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Graduate Students

Nastaran Abdoli headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Jennifer Koch

E-mail: nastaran.abdoli-1@ou.edu

Degrees: M.S. Applied Geography, University of Louisville, Kentucky; B.A. Urban Planning, Urmia University, Iran

Area of Research: Spatial Analysis, GIS, Travel Behavior, Public Transportation, Transportation Planning

Jim Anderson headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography and Environmental Sustainability

Advisor: Annie Yang, Ph.D

Email: jhowardanderson@ou.edu

Degrees: B.A. Geography, University of South Florida (2008), M.A. Geography, University of South Florida (2012)

Areas of Research: Spatiotemporal Autocorrelation and Infectious Disease

Headshot of Matthew Armor

M.A. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Darren Purcell

E-mail: mattwaller@ou.edu

Degrees: B.A. Geography, Minors in GIS and History, University of Oklahoma

Areas of Research: Digital Geographies, GIS, Geopolitics, Historical Geography, Native American History 

Eric Bump headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Michael Wimberly

E-mail: eric.bump@ou.edu

Degrees: MPH Epidemiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; B.S. Health and Exercise Science, Minor in Psychology, Minor in History, University of Oklahoma

Area of Research: Disease Ecology, Public Health, Spatial Epidemiology, GIS, Remote Sensing

Claire Burch headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography and Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Rebecca Loraamm

Email: burchcm@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Zoology/Environmental Science and Geography minor, Miami University (2016), M.S. Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma (2020)

Areas of Research: Utility-scale renewable energy development, environmental regulation and governance, and human dimensions of natural resource management.

 

Lawrence Burkett headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Advisor: Travis Gliedt

Email: lburkett@ou.edu

Degrees: M.S. Geography, The University of North Dakota. B.S. Atmospheric Sciences, The University of North Dakota.

Area of Research: Teaching

Paulina Cwik headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Research Assistant 

Advisor: Renee McPherson

E-mail: paulina.cwik-1@ou.edu

Degrees: M.S. Geography, University of Oklahoma; M.S Geology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland

Areas of Research: Climate Variability and Change, Natural Hazards

Valerie Doornbos headshot

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability with a certificate in Geospatial Technologies

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Laurel Smith

E-mail: valerie.doornbos@ou.edu 

Degrees: BA Environmental Studies and History, Minor in Spanish, Ripon College

Area of Research: Post-Industrial Urban Areas, Environmental Justice, Tribal Sovereignty, Air Quality, and Environmental Policy relating to the Environmental Protection Agency

Photo of Shadi outdoors

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Thomas Neeson

E-mail: shadi.fard@ou.edu

Degrees: M.S. Civil Engineering Water Resources Management and Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran (2020); B.S. Civil Engineering Water and Wastewater Networks, College of Environment, Iran (2017).

Areas of Research: Water Resources Systems Analysis, Wetlands Hydrology, Drylands Vulnerability

Rachel Francks headshot

M.S. Student in Environmental Sustainability

Advisor: Laurel Smith

E-mail: rachel.francks@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Geography.

Area of Research: Economic Impact of Superfund Cleanups 

Headshot of America Gaviria against gray background

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Advisor: Mark Shafer

E-mail: america.gaviria@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. in Physical Sciences from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez

Areas of Research: Natural Hazards, Bilingual Science Communication and Climate Change

Aiyesha Ghani headshot

M.S. Student in Geospatial Technologies

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Bruce Hoagland

E-mail: aiyesha.ghani@ou.edu

Degrees: Nomad MFA in Interdisciplinary Art, University of Hartford; B.A. Global Development & Anthro-ecology, New York University

Area of Research: Remote Sensing, Hydroclimatology, Land-Atmosphere Interaction, Conservation Ecology, Land Use/Land Change, Emergency Management & Hazards, Traditional Knowledge Keeping/Making

image of Kari Goold with a horse

M.S. Student in Geography and Sustainability and Environmental Sustainability and Geographic Technologies

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Loraamm

Email: karigoold@ou.edu

Degrees: B.A. in Anthropology with minors in Criminal Justice and Sociology, University of Nevada Las Vegas 2021

Headshot of Victoria Johnson against blurred background

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Darren Purcell

E-mail: johnsonvictoria@ou.edu

Degrees: M.S. Geography and Environmental Sustainability, Geospatial Technology, University of Oklahoma (2020); B.S. Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma (2018)

Areas of Research: GIS, Natural Hazards and Disasters, Risk Decision-Making, Resilience

Andrews Korah headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Michael Wimberly

E-mail: andrews.korah@ou.edu

Degrees: M.A. Geography, Miami University (2020); B.A. Geography and Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana (2017)

Area of Research: Urban Growth Modelling, Sustainability, Policy Mobility, Remote Sensing, Land Use Change, and Mixed-Method Research

Erica Kronenberger headshot

M.S. Student in Geography and Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Dr. Lauren Mullenbach

Email: ekronenberger@ou.edu

Degrees: B.A. Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma (2021)

Areas of Research: Climate Adaptation, Environmental Justice, Sustainable Urban Development

Photo of Trey Lee posing with a human skeleton

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Advisor: Thomas Neeson

E-mail: treylee@ou.edu   

Degrees: M.S. Geographic Information Science & Technology, University of Southern California (2018); B.S. Strategic Communications, Oklahoma State University (2015)

Areas of Research: Aquatic Conservation, GIS, Remote Sensing, Scientific Diving, XR

Lene Le Roux headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Advisor: Darren Purcell

Teaching Assistant

E-mail: leneleroux@ou.edu

Degrees: B.Town & Regional Planning; M.Built Environment (Housing)

Research Area: Southern urban theory, 'place' theory, postcolonial urban studies, city planning, urban geography/planning education

Megan Malish headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Thomas Neeson, Dan Allen (Department of Biology)

Email: megan.malish@ou.edu

Degrees: MS Biology, Central Michigan University (2018); BA Biology, Kalamazoo College (2016)

Areas of Research: Stream Ecology, Conservation Biology

Headshot of Martin Kusi Manu

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Rebecca Loraamm

E-mail: martin.k.manu-1@ou.edu

Degrees: MSc. Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation; BSc. Natural Resources Management (Wildlife Mangement); Dip. Natural Resources Management (Forest Silviculture)

Area of Research: Conservation Ecology, GIS, Remote Sensing, Land Use/Land Cover Change, Animal Distribution

Hannah Mattes headshot

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Tom Neeson

E-mail: hannah.mattes@ou.edu

Degrees: BS Aquatic Biology, Texas State University

Area of Research: Conservation Biology, Stream Ecology, Human-Environment Interactions, Climate Change

Monica Mattox headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Advisor: Laurel Smith

E-mail: mmattox@ou.edu

Degrees: M.A. Geography, University of Oklahoma; B.S. Meteorology, University of Oklahoma

Areas of Research: Meteorology, Climatology, Fire Management, Risk Perception and Management, Natural Hazards, Decision-Making, and Organizational Structures

Robert Moore headshot

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability 

Research Assistant 

Advisor: Michael Wimberly, Michael Biggerstaff (School of Meteorology)

E-mail: robert.w.moore-1@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Geographic Information Science, University of Oklahoma 2021 

Areas of Research: Remote Sensing, Severe Weather Climatology, GIS

 

Photo of Gloria Nakyagaba seated on a bench indoors

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Scott Greene

E-mail: gloria.n.nakyagaba-1@ou.edu

Degrees: M.A. Geography, B.A. Education (Geography/History) Makerere University Kampala

Area of Research: Urban Waste and Sanitation, Energy, Sustainability

Rebecca Veiga Nascimento headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability 

Advisor: Thomas Neeson

Email: Rebecca.veiga@ou.edu  

Degrees: MS in Soil and Water Science, University of California, Riverside (2004), BS in Biology from Texas Christian University (2000) 

Areas of Research: Protection and restoration of freshwaters and watershed integrity 

Photo of Rose Nordhues with vegetation in the background

M.A. Student in Geography

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Mark Shafer

E-mail: nordhueskr@ou.edu

Degrees: B.A. Geographic Information Science and German minor, University of Oklahoma (2020)

Areas of Research: Risk assessment, hazard mitigation, emergency management, GIS, human health

Chinedu Nsude headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Rebecca Loraamm

E-mail:  chinedu.nsude@ou.edu

Degrees: MSc Ecology and Conservation, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom; B-Tech Applied Ecology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria

Area of Research: My research focuses on renewable energy development, climate change, and corporate sustainability strategies. Specifically, I use geospatial data and models to identify and respond to renewable energy development barriers, such as site suitability assessment, characterization, and optimization. I am also interested in understanding how corporations integrate sustainable practices, such as sustainable energy systems, to reduce greenhouse emissions and possibly achieve a net zero between 2030-2050.

Hananeh Omidi headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability 

Research Assistant  

Advisor: Dr. Kwangyul Choi 

E-mail: hana.omidi@ou.edu

Degrees: M.S. Urban Planning, University of Art, Tehran; B.A. Urban Planning, University of Art, Tehran, Iran 

Areas of Research: Urban Planning and Transportation Geography, GIS, Spatial Analysis. My research revolves around Investigating the impact of emerging mobility options on the current transportation geography and drawing implications for sustainable urban transportation planning in the United States. 

Akpoezi Rosemary Ononeme headshot

MS Student in Geography and Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Rebecca Loraamm

E-mail: aononeme@ou.edu

Degrees: BSc. Geography and Regional Planning, University of Benin, Nigeria (2017)

Areas of Research: GIS, Conservation Ecology, Spatial Ecology, Environmental Justice

Bikram Parajuli headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Dr. Xin (Selena) Feng

Email: bikramparajuli8@ou.edu

Degrees: M.E. Cartography and Geographical Information Engineering, Wuhan University, China; B.E. Geomatics Engineering, IOE Pashchimanchal Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. 

Areas of research: Weather and climate, Extremes, Spatiotemporal analysis, Precipitation, and Drought

Mohammad Shahriyar Parvez headshot

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Dr. Xin (Selena) Feng

Email: shahriyar@ou.edu

Degrees: Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Bangladesh.

Areas of Research: Geographical Data Science, Geospatial Techniques,  Socio-Environmental Systems, Natural Resource Economics and Management, Adaptation Strategies for Combating Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

Photo of Kritika outdoors

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Rebecca Loraamm

E-mail: kritika.pathak@ou.edu

Degrees: Masters degree in Water Resource Policy and Management (2020) from East Central University, USA; Bachelors in Environmental Science (2018) from Nepal

Areas of Research: Watershed Management, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, Sustainable Development

Leah Pearman headshot

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Bruce Hoagland

E-mail: leah.pearman@ou.edu

Degrees: B.A. International Security Studies; B.A. Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma

Area of Research: Spatial Conservation, Spatial Ecology

Headshot of Nikhil

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Michael Wimberly

E-mail: nikhil.r.poudyal@ou.edu  

Degrees: M.S. Earth Science, Land cover change, GIS, Micro-Wave remote sensing (Glacier tracking), Chiba University, Japan; B.E. Electrical and Electronics, Kathmandu University, Nepal

Areas of Research: Land Cover/Use Change, Pattern Recognition, Environment and Climate Change Studies, Livelihood, Public Health

Kaitlin Rayburn headshot

M.A. Student in Geography

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Darren Purcell

E-mail: krayburn@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Geography, Jacksonville State University

Area of Research: My area of research primarily focuses on Pop Culture and how they use geography. I focus on movies, videogames, and books and study how story tellers utilize geography to tell a narrative. I have examined movies such as How to Train Your Dragon, Frozen, and Spirited Away. Videogames I have studied are: Gris (won Best Graduate of Sciences in 2021 at JSU's Student Symposium), Hellblade: Sennua's Sacrifice, and Fortnite: Battle Royal. By studying Pop Culture and how they utlaize geography I can see what storytellers choose to include or exclude to tell their story. Whether this is by including or excluding cultural aspects or choosing to display an environment by codding it with key features to evoke an emotion, it all comes down to how we choose to present the world.

Angela Rosellini-Labombarde headshot

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Jennifer Koch

Email: angela.m.rosellinilabombarde@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Environmental Sustainability, Minor in GIS, University of Oklahoma

Areas of Research: GIS, land use/land cover change, energy transitions

 

headshot of Kacie Scherler

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Travis Gliedt

E-mail: kacie.scherler@ou.edu

Degrees: MA Social Entrepreneurship (2016) Pepperdine University; BA Intercultural Communication (2013) Pepperdine University

Areas of Research: Agroecology, Political Ecology, Sustainable Agriculture, Sustainable Supply Chains, Triple Bottom Line Development, Feminist Geographies

Aditi Singh headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Advisor: Laurel Smith

Teaching Assistant

E-mail: aditi.singh@ou.edu

Degrees: B.A. Programme (Economics and Political Science), University of Delhi, India (2012),  M.A. Environment and Development, Ambedkar University Delhi, India (2015).

Areas of Research: Human-Environment Relationships, Urban Political Ecology, Contested Urban Spaces and Exclusion

Headshot of Ebone Smith

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Renee McPherson

Email: ebone.d.smith-1@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Meteorology, Virginia Tech; B.A. Communications, Virginia Tech

Areas of Research: Community Resilience and Empowerment, Urban Heat Islands, Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies, Environmental Justice, Natural Hazards

Headshot of Himel Talukder

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Anni Yang

Email: himel.talukder-1@ou.edu

Degrees: M.S. Epidemiology and Public Health, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh; B.S. Veterinary Medicine, Minor in Animal Science, Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh

Areas of Research: Disease Ecology, Spatial Epidemiology, Health Geography, Infectious Diseases, Wildlife Ecology

headshot of Avery Taylor

M.S. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Michael Wimberly

E-mail: ataylor28@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Environmental Science. University of Central Arkansas 

Area of Research: Natural Resource Management   

Photo of James Tichy standing in an urban area

M.A. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Teaching Assistant

E-mail: James.Tichy@ou.edu   

Degrees: B.S. Anthropology; B.P.A. Public Administration

Areas of Research: Urban Geography, Urban Political Economy, Gentrification

Olivia VanBuskirk headshot

Ph.D. Student in Geography & Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Lauren Mullenbach

E-mail: oliviavanbuskirk@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Meteorology and Geographic Information Science, Central Michigan University (2020), M.S. Geography and Environmental Sustainability, University of Oklahoma (2022)

Area of Research: Environmental justice, urban geography, climate adaptation

 

headshot of Madelyn Verno

M.S. Student in Geography and Environmental Sustainability

Research Assistant

Advisor: Tom Mueller

Email: madelyn.a.verno-1@ou.edu

Degrees: B.S. Geography, The Pennsylvania State University

Areas of Research: Water, Environmental Justice, Spatial Inequality

headshot of Madeline Wade

Ph.D. Student

Research Assistant

Advisors: Tom Neeson and Caryn Vaughn

E-mail: madeline.wade@ou.edu

Degrees: M.S. in Geography, B.A. in Psychology, B.S. in Environmental Studies

Areas of Research: Water Resource Planning, Freshwater Ecology, Ecosystem Services and Values

 

headshot of Jenna Warner

M.S. Student in Environmental Sustainability & Geography with Earth Systems

Teaching Assistant

Advisor: Dr. Travis Gliedt

Email: jennastormwarner@ou.edu

Degrees: BS Environmental Sustainability, minor in Meteorology

Areas of Research: Water Infrastructure and Climate Change, Severe Weather, Disaster Science, Science Communication, Sustainability, and Emergency Management

headshot of Jay Wimhurst

Ph.D. Student in Geography

Research Assistant

Advisor: Scott Greene

Email: Joshua.J.Wimhurst-1@ou.edu

Areas of Research: Renewable Energy, Climate Change