Spatial Decision Support Systems in the Era of Big Data and Disaster Science
May 8, 2024 11:00 am (Central Time)
Recorded VCO
Abstract
Geographic Information Science and Systems (GIS) is an emerging field that serves as a bridge between computing systems and human cognitive capabilities, enhancing spatial thinking and decision-making. Spatial decision support systems (SDSS) represent a convergent area of research, integrating computing design, data management, domain knowledge bases, and GIS to tackle complex decision problems exhibiting spatial heterogeneity and interdependence.
Despite significant research progress on SDSS over the past several decades, the integration of advanced cyberinfrastructure and decision models into SDSS to enhance understanding of coupled human and natural systems is still in the early stages. This presentation introduces advancements in using Cyberinfrastructure-enabled Geospatial Artificial Intelligence to develop SDSS addressing critical challenges in climate change and disaster management.
Speakers
Zhe Zhang
Texas A&M University
Dr. Zhe Zhang is an assistant professor of Geography at Texas A&M University. Her research interests are focused on advanced Cyberinfrastructure and CyberGIS, decision-making under spatial uncertainty, and geospatial data science. Dr. Zhang is the Director of the Texas A&M Cyberinfrastructure and Spatial Decision Intelligence Research Group. She leads the CyberGIS and Decision Support Systems research initiative at the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS). She has published peer-reviewed articles in several leading GIScience journals, such as the International Journal of Geographical Information Science, Annals of the American Association of Geographers, and Transactions in GIS. Her projects have been supported by several U.S. funding agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), National Geographic Society, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In 2023, she received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation.