Research

Starting as a geologist, my passion for mapping and data analysis led me to population studies in unexpected ways. I never thought I would be interested in studying people, but the more I looked at spatial trends of inequality around the world as a masters student in Geographic Information Science (GIS), the more I understood that my true passion was to make data more accessible, spatial optimization methods more usable, and maps more accurate in order to depict the true nature of poverty that so many people face every day. 

My PhD research is focused on using demographic survey data in combination with spatial data to locate areas that are food insecure and determine how better allocation of food aid can provide more resources to areas most in need. This involves a combination of quantitative (statistical) analysis, spatial analysis, location analysis, optimization, and GIS. If used with good intentions and in effective ways, data can bring light and provide meaningful solutions to our biggest problems. ​