Welcome to my homepage. I am an Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Michigan-Flint. I'm also a Faculty Affiliate at the University of Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society (MIDAS) and Fellow at the Center for Urban Design and Mental Health (UK).
My research is centered on examining accessibility, urban design, and public health outcomes using innovative geospatial science methods and empirical models. My work within these areas has been expansive, spanning approaches and methods such as; active transportation modeling; naturalistic assessments of cycling stress; Agent Based Modeling (ABM) of bicycling movement potentials; travel-mode sentiment; travel-demand modeling; intersection of crime and public health; urban infrastructure resiliency; qualitative analysis of micro-mobility use; intermodal travel potentials in a university environment; spatial modeling of food insecurity.
I also have a breadth of practical experience from my time working in private industry, government sectors, and non-profit organizations as a GIS analyst, planner, and consultant. These experiences inform my teaching and complement my research agenda.
Read more about my research on Google Scholar, ORCiD, or ResearchGate
LATEST NEWS
Our NSF grant proposal has been funded! I’m thrilled to announce that our NSF standard grant (NSF 24-519 Strengthening American Infrastructure) project, entitled: "Safe bike infrastructure for all: Understanding users’ comfort and safety perception to prepare for an e-bike future," has recently been awarded. As the popularity of e-bikes continues to rise, ensuring rider safety and comfort is more important than ever. Our multidisciplinary team will explore cyclists' perceptions of infrastructure and use cutting-edge tools like AI and large-scale data analysis to guide future planning and design of safer bike routes. By bringing together experts in psychology, transportation, and technology, we’re taking a major step toward creating safer, more accessible bike infrastructure for all. Stay tuned for updates!
New publication in the Journal of Safety Research: "E-scooter safety under scrutiny: Examining crash patterns and injuries in the UK" I'm pleased to announce that our research paper titled "Exploring the Spatial and Environmental Contexts of E-Scooter Crashes: A Nationwide Analysis in the UK" has been accepted for publication in the prestigious Journal of Safety Science. This study addresses the critical yet underexplored issue of e-scooter safety, utilizing a comprehensive nationwide dataset to identify distinctive crash patterns and factors influencing severity. Our findings, which reveal unique spatiotemporal distributions and crash typologies, contribute significantly to the understanding of e-scooter riding risks. This research not only advances the field of micromobility safety but also provides valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners in developing targeted safety interventions. We anticipate that this work will have a substantial impact on improving e-scooter safety and informing future research in this rapidly evolving area of transportation.
New role: I am thrilled to announce that I have joined the Editorial Board for Cities & Health (Routledge) academic journal. This remarkable opportunity is a testament to my unwavering passion for scholarly pursuits and my relentless dedication to advancing knowledge in my field. In this position, I will collaborate with esteemed researchers and scholars to propel the journal to new heights. I am grateful for this honor and eagerly anticipate the profound impact we will collectively make in shaping the future of academia. Here's to an exhilarating chapter filled with groundbreaking research, stimulating discussions, and impactful publications. More information about the journal can be found here.
New internal funding approved! In this newly supported research, our interdisciplinary team, spanning transportation engineering, geospatial analysis, computer science, and urban planning, will investigate the safety and utility of e-bikes in the Detroit metro area. Focusing on two critical aspects—safety and enjoyment—we aim to understand how different microspaces influence rider behavior using biosensors, videography, and participatory GIS. Through a mixed-methodologial approach involving bio-sensors and survey instruments, we will identify barriers and facilitators of e-bike usage. This data will inform strategies to increase e-bike mode share and contribute to sustainable and equitable transportation solutions in Detroit.
CONNECT WITH ME
Affliations
Address
Find me
University of Michigan-Flint
Department Geospatial Sciencesw
University of Michigan, Michigan Institute for Data and AI in Society (MIDAS)
Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health (UD/MH)
University of Michigan-Flint
Department of Geospatial Sciences
423 Murchie Science Bldg
Flint, Michigan 48502
t: 810-762-3355
