Meet the people of EGCL!
Dr. Peter, Assistant Professor of Geosciences, heads the Environmental GIS & Cartography Lab (EGCL) at the University of Arkansas conducting research primarily on sustainable agricultural systems in Arkansas, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia. EGCL consists of geographers, remote sensing scientists, agronomists, cartographers, and collaborators across the sciences, including hydrologists, entomologists, and plant physiologists. See the Research page to learn more about what we do, and scroll below to see who we are.
Where We Ark | EGCL
Lead Investigator
B. Peter setting up a weather station in central Malawi
Brad G. Peter, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Department of Geosciences University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, ARbradp@uark.edu
Affiliations Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (CAST ) Environmental Dynamics (ENDY ) Program YouthMappers at UArk
Biosketch
Dr. Brad G. Peter is an environmental remote sensing geographer who researches the intersection of ecological niche and agricultural system decisions. His research transforms empirical data into actionable knowledge through spatial analytics and digital cartography. Foci include global agricultural land suitability, geographic scaling of climate-smart crop varieties and sustainable/nutritional farm systems, and satellite/sUAS for multi-scale precision agriculture. Dr. Peter holds a Ph.D. in Geography from Michigan State University and a BA in Geography from the University of Texas at Austin, and served as a postdoctoral researcher for the Department of Geography at the University of Alabama .
Current Students
Dalton Williams
Doctoral Program Environmental Dynamics (ENDY)
Dalton Williams is interested in how epidemiology is shifting due to a changing environment. Dalton holds an MPA, where he learned about how health policy is evolving to address health risks associated with ecosystem change. Career trajectory includes going down the route of being a health/medical geographer.
Interests : GIS and Health, Vector Suitability, Ecological Niche Shift
Nowshin Nawar
Doctoral Program Department of Geosciences
Nowshin Nawar is primarily interested in the use of remote sensing for the wellbeing of the environment and wildlife. Nowshin holds an MS in Geography from San Diego State University where she learned about how pre-fire dead trees influence fire behavior. She is currently pursuing her PhD degree in Geosciences at the University of Arkansas where she will explore the shift in climate and habitat in certain wildlife protected areas over many decades.
Interests : GIS and Remote sensing, Wildlife, Wildfire, Habitat and Niche Shift
Website : https://sites.google.com/view/nowshin-nawar
Sahar Rezaei
Doctoral Program Department of Geosciences
Sahar Rezaei uses geospatial analytics and remote sensing datasets for modeling and monitoring environmental systems, with a focus on their spatial and temporal dynamics. She holds an MSc in Environmental Engineering and is currently pursuing a PhD in Geosciences and a Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Technology at the University of Arkansas, where she is working with big data to develop machine learning tools that enhance water monitoring strategies.
Interests : Remote Sensing of Water Systems, Machine Learning and Image Geoprocessing, Earth Engine, and Environmental Modeling
Emma Steuber
Honors Program Department of Geosciences
Emma Steuber is an honors junior undergraduate, majoring in Earth Science and Mathematics. My research focuses on the extent of urbanization in Northwest Arkansas and its effects on humans, wildlife, and the environment over time. My overall interests are the connections between human activity, climate change, and environmental conditions, as well as sustainability and environmental policy.
Interests : Human-Environment Interactions, Sustainability, and Policy
Abigail Unger
Undergraduate Research Assistant Department of Geosciences
Abigail Unger is an undergraduate student majoring in Earth Science with a minor in Geology. She is engaged in research that utilizes digital elevation models and GIS to analyze the correlation between flooding in Arkansas and socioeconomic factors. Abigail is also interested in the geochronology of large-scale tectonic movements, focusing on their effects on geological formations and landscapes.
Interests : Structure & Tectonics, Stream Systems, Physical Geology, GIS, Environmental Science, Geography
Graduated Students
Maria Gorret Nabuwembo
Master’s Program Environmental Dynamics (ENDY)
Maria Nabuwembo holds a B.Sc. in Geomatics Engineering and has experience as a GIS Analyst, Land Surveyor and Project Lead from Uganda. Maria is a Community Action Award winner by the Aspire Institute where together with her team conducted a project on using GIS to inform decisions and solve community challenges making a positive impact on communities. Maria’s current research is centered around the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), with a specific focus on harnessing Remote Sensing techniques to measure agricultural adaptation strategies. Maria is committed to making significant contributions in addressing critical environmental issues and advancing the use of geospatial technology for positive change.
Interests : GIS and Remote Sensing, UAV, Water Management, Agricultural Adaptation
Weilun Tay
Master’s Program Department of Geosciences
Weilun Tay is interested in using Land-Use/Land-Cover Change Dynamics to assess spatiotemporal change in climate impact, various ecosystem functions, natural resources activities, and urban growth in his research. Weilun holds a B.S. in Geography from the University of Central Arkansas, where he was able to publish on an academic research project alongside his professor, Dr. He, using Land-Use/Land-Cover Change Dynamics in Arkansas.
Interests : GIS and Remote Sensing, Land-Use/Land-Cover Change Dynamics
Jane Landrum
Honors Program Department of Geosciences
Jane Landrum is a senior undergraduate Honors College Fellow and Arkansas Governor’s Scholar from Little Rock, Arkansas. She is majoring in French, Anthropology, and Earth Science, with a minor in French. She has completed environmental internships with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust and at Freeport McMoran’s Morenci Mine.
Interests : Environmental Science, Geography, Population Dynamics