Principal Investigator
|
Dr. Nicholas R. Magliocca
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography My broad research interests are in human-environmental interactions and land-use change. Specifically, I am interested in how people make land-use decisions, how those decisions modify the functioning of natural systems, and how those modifications feedback on human well-being, livelihoods, and subsequent land-use decisions. All of my research begins with a complex systems background with the aim of understanding the dynamics of human-environment interactions and their consequences for environmental and economic sustainability. Agent-based modeling is my primary tool of choice to understand human-environment interactions, but I also frequently use other land change modeling approaches (e.g., cellular automata, system dynamics, econometrics), spatial statistics, and GIS. I also have expertise in synthesis methods (e.g., meta-analysis) for bringing together leveraging disparate forms of social and environmental data to understand how specific cases (i.e., local) of land-use change contribute to and/or differ from broader-scale (i.e. regional or global) patterns of human-environment interactions and land change outcomes. In my (infinite) spare time, I hangout with my wife and young son, am an avid fisherman, love to cook, and will play (or watch) just about any sport. Here is my CV. |
PostDoctoral Associates
Graduate Students
|
Ashleigh Price Geography Ph.D. Student (affiliated researcher with the lab since Fall 2018) My broad research interests are in human-environment interactions and operations research. Specifically, I am interested in hazard vulnerability and resilience, facilities location science, and the geography of crime. My research focuses on examining how the socioecological nature of spaces differentially influences societal outcomes and modeling the spatial and social implications of changes to the environment. I primarily use quantitative methods (e.g., spatial optimization, spatial statistics) and GIS, but I also have experience in qualitative survey research. Prior to joining the University of Alabama, I completed my BS in Geosciences at Virginia Tech and my MS in Geography at the University of Southern Mississippi. My research to date has centered on applications in community corrections, counterdrug interdiction, and emergency management operations. For my dissertation research, I am modeling the spatiotemporal impacts of extreme events to crime, victimization, and protective resource allocation. Ruchie Pathak Geography Ph.D. Student (joined the lab in Spring 2021) Broadly my research interests are in the field of environmental social sciences; specifically, I’m interested in studying human-environmental interactions. I would like my research work to contribute towards our understanding of what a more sustainable world can look like and how to ACTUALLY get there. Moreover, my research interests include understanding adoption of conservation practices, evaluation of sustainable practices, participatory natural resource management, social impact assessment, among others. I have good experience with projects involving qualitative and/or mixed-mode methodologies. I have designed both survey questionnaires and interview transcripts for my projects and have conducted online surveys, personal interviews and focus group discussions as well. I also have basic knowledge of softwares like R (statistical tool) and ArcGIS. For my dissertation research here at UA, I plan to focus on understanding farmers’ decision-making processes related to crop choice and adoption of irrigation in Alabama. If not working, I like to spend my free time reading books (~love fiction), knitting or binge-watching some tv series. I’m also into photography and spend most of the time exploring different photo editing apps on my phone/laptop. Andrew Meador
Geography M.S. Student (joined the lab in Spring 2020) My broad interests lie in human and cultural geography. More specifically, I enjoy all topics related to globalization, trade, crime, wildlife, fossil fuels, and human migration patterns. My research focuses on illicit trade networks in Central America, particularly in the nation of Belize. By integrating migration patterns and the associated demographic shifts throughout the history of this country with land-use change data, I aim to form a more complete picture of the ethno-linguistic ties shaping the narcotrafficking network structures in the “Drug Transit Zone”. In my spare time, I enjoy fishing, running, playing guitar, cooking, reading trivia, watching sports and comedy, and bike riding. |
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Alumni
|
Dr. Quy Van Khuc Postdoctoral Research Associate (2018-2019) Current position: Faculty in Economics and Finance, Phenikaa University, Yen Nghia, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Hanoi, Hanoi, VIET NAM. Kory Pilet
M.S. Geography (2017-2019) Thesis title: "Land-Use Land-Cover Change and the Effects on Hydrology of the North River Basin, Alabama" Current position: GIS Analyst, City of Tuscaloosa Anna Holland-Levine
M.S. Geography (2018-2020) Thesis title: "Social-ecological systems of sheep ranching, recreation, and large carnivores on multiple-use U.S. public lands" Garrett Cooper
B.S. Student (2019-2021) Alaina Makowski
B.S. Student (2019-2021) Kate Pitts
B.S. Student (2019-2021) Current position: Backbone farm, Western Maryland |
