GIS & Spatial Analysis

Geospatial Science

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis are central components of my scientific toolbox, enabling the visualization, interpretation, and communication of complex geographic and environmental data. My formal training in GIS complements my geoscience background, allowing me to integrate place-based data with advanced analytical methods to support research, decision making, and scientific communication.

Education and Training

I completed the Geographic Information Systems and Technology Certificate at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This rigorous five-course program provided hands-on experience with geospatial data management, spatial analysis, cartographic design, GIS programming, and enterprise GIS implementations. This training enhanced my ability to apply spatial reasoning to scientific, environmental, and educational challenges.

Core Competencies

Spatial Data & Analysis

Geospatial data acquisition, cleaning, and validation
Spatial interpolation and surface modeling
Raster and vector analysis for environmental and demographic applications

Cartography & Visualization

Thematic and comparative map design
Visual communication of spatial patterns and trends
Map production for digital and print dissemination

GIS Programming & Automation

Scripting for spatial analysis workflows
GIS database design and optimization
Custom geoprocessing tools and analytical automation

Enterprise GIS Systems

ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Enterprise, and ArcGIS Online
StoryMaps and interactive spatial narratives
Field data collection workflows and mobile GIS integration

Technical Tools

ESRI Ecosystem

Other Platforms

QGIS | Surfer | Grapher | Tableau

GIS Project Highlights

California Volcanoes Capstone Map

For my GIS certificate capstone, I created a map of Holocene volcanoes in California using ArcGIS Pro. The map highlights spatial relationships between historically large earthquakes and volcanism, demonstrating spatial clustering and risk visualization.

Holocene volcanoes of California with earthquake epicenters, ArcGIS Pro capstone map.

Case Study 1: California Climate Interpolation Report

I developed a series of ArcGIS Pro maps to compare spatial interpolation methods for climate data, analyzing estimated average high temperatures across California for January and August. Using NOAA 2010 normal monthly temperatures, I evaluated inverse distance weighting (IDW) and Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) to determine method performance and implications for regional climate interpretation.

Technical summary:

IDW optimized with 8 sectors produced mean prediction errors of 0.3605 (January) and –0.1307 (August).
EBK with log empirical transformation and K-Bessel semivariogram produced mean prediction errors of 0.1141 (January) and 0.1317 (August).
Comparative analysis showed minimal variance between top-ranked cities across methods.

IDW interpolated average high temperatures — January, California.

IDW interpolated average high temperatures — August, California.

Side-by-side comparison of IDW and EBK interpolation methodologies.

Case Study 2: Market Analysis Using GIS

I applied spatial market analysis techniques in ArcGIS Pro to assess service area coverage and store viability for retail locations in Riverside, California. By integrating population and demographic data with store geographies, I identified coverage gaps and recommended strategic closures based on service area overlap and customer access.

Three-minute drive time service area for Starbucks locations, Riverside CA.

Origin–destination cost matrix of travel time between target store and competitors.

GIS map highlighting store coverage and demographic gaps.

QGIS Maps for Research Projects

For projects requiring rapid production or open-source workflows, I frequently use QGIS. Examples include submarine volcanism and bathymetric mapping for California Badlands seamount research, as well as spatial visualization of NSF-funded oceanographic core data.

QGIS map of submarine volcanism and bathymetry — California Badlands.

QGIS visualization of oceanographic core sample spatial distribution.

Interactive StoryMap

I designed an ArcGIS StoryMap to document a GPS data collection venture at a local hiking area, demonstrating field mapping workflows and spatial storytelling techniques.

View StoryMap