The Cartography/GIS sub-area at UW-Madison is renowned for its innovative research and teaching, driven by a distinguished faculty with diverse expertise across Cartography, GIScience and Geospatial Data Science. Our Cartography/GIS program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and provides students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research. Students are equipped with the technical skills and domain knowledge to tackle complex spatial problems and contribute to the advancement of geospatial sciences. Graduate students in Cartography and GIS can expect to engage in a variety of research areas, including:
- Geovisualization: Developing and evaluating visual representations of spatial data to enhance understanding and decision-making.
- Geospatial AI and Big Data: Applying and developing artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) techniques to analyze large geospatial datasets.
- Geospatial Cognition and Human-Centric Map Design Creating maps that are tailored to the cognitive and perceptual abilities of users to improve usability and effectiveness
- Environmental Modeling: Using GIS and remote sensing to model and predict environmental changes and impacts.
Our faculty members are at the forefront of advancing cartographic theory, geospatial analysis, geographic information science and geospatial data science.
- Dr. Song Gao focuses on geospatial big data analytics, geospatial AI (GeoAI), and urban informatics. Dr. Gao’s research leverages large-scale datasets to understand human mobility patterns, urban dynamics, and spatial-temporal processes. Dr. Gao leads the Geospatial Data Science (GeoDS) Lab.
- Dr. Qunying Huang specializes in AI/ML, big data analytics, remote sensing, spatial networks and geospatial cyberinfrastructure, with applications in natural hazards, digital agriculture, human mobility, and social and environmental justice. Dr. Huang’s work aims to enhance the computational efficiency, scalability and generalizability/transferability of geospatial analyses and data-driven models, enabling more robust and comprehensive spatial modeling. Dr. Huang leads the Spatial Computing and Data Mining Lab.
- Dr. Bill Limpisathian explores map cognition and the impact of neuro-psychological conditions on spatial cognition. Dr. Limpisathian’s neuro-cartography research delves into how different populations perceive and interact with maps, contributing to the development of more universally intuitive cartographic designs. Dr. Limpisathian leads the NeuroCarto Research Group and serves as Associate Director of the UW Cartography Lab.
- Dr. Jonathan Nelson specializes in cartography, geovisual analytics, and human-centered design with applications in environmental science, fitness & health, politics, socioeconomics, transportation, and urban planning. Dr. Nelson’s work focuses on developing innovative visualization techniques to improve the communication of complex spatial information, making it more accessible and actionable to diverse audiences. Dr. Nelson serves as the Director of the GIS Professional Programs (GISPP) and is a member of the UW Cartography Lab.
- Dr. Rob Roth is known for his contributions to interactive and web-based cartography. Dr. Roth’s research includes the design and evaluation of user-centered mapping interfaces, enhancing the usability and effectiveness of digital maps in various applications. Dr. Roth serves as the Faculty Director of the UW Cartography Lab.
- Dr. A-Xing Zhu specializes in GIS/RS techniques (AI, VGI, fuzzy logic); intelligent geocomputing; watershed system modeling and scenario analysis. Dr. Zhu’s research integrates GIS with environmental science to address critical issues such as land use planning, environmental sustainability, and natural resource management.
This page is hosted on the NeuroCarto Research Group site on behalf of the Cart/GIS Faculty.
Last Updated November 2024.