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 Data Science Institute (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!
I am thrilled to announce that I have been appointed as a Senior Editor for Cities & Health (Taylor & Francis) 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 publication in Accident Analysis and Prevention: "How do people perceive driving risks in small towns? A case study in Central Texas." A new co-authored study revealed important insights on the associations between where people perceive crash risks and where crashes actually occur. We found that locations where people feel less safe walking or cycling do not always align with sites that have high crash rates. Perceived risk may not match observed risk. Personal factors like age and gender along with built environment elements like presence of bike lanes can significantly influence an individual's perception of crash risk. The study provides a methodology for better incorporating public risk perceptions into transportation safety planning. More work is still needed to align subjective risk views with objective crash data.
New 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 of Math and Natural Sciences
University of Michigan, Michigan Institute of Data Sciences (MIDAS)
Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health
University of Michigan-Flint
Department of Math and Natural Sciences
516 Murchie Science Bldg
Flint, Michigan 48502
t: 810-762-3355
