I am delighted to share with you the 2016 issue of Department of Geography newsletter!

Meet just a few of our amazing students and discover what sets them apart. These superstars are combining atmospheric sciences and anthropology to study how weather and climate impact people; designing custom-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to track soil-moisture storage; developing an agent-based model to simulate the social and economic dynamics of populations in perilous conditions; and tracking citizenship rights, land-property management and displacement. Their work will have lasting impact on policy and research to come.

As you will learn from the pages of faculty news, our researchers and scientists are garnering both national and international awards and accolades. Here, we introduce you to one of our newest faculty members, Elisabeth Dowling Root. Professor Root studies the way that big data can be used to improve children’s health around the world — from Bangladesh, Honduras, the Philippines and Indonesia to across the United States.

Catch up on news from our two centers, the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center and the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis and find out how you can become a part of their many events, tours and lectures.

I am especially honored to share with you news and reflections from some of our illustrious alumni. Howard Biel and Gary Sharpe have generously and graciously donated time and money to transform our learning spaces and provide our students ongoing scholarship support. Ariel Cohen and Rickie Sanders share the impact of their experiences as students in the department. I am grateful for their enthusiasm and support.

Finally, I invite you to stay connected and keep current of all the news in the Department of Geography by signing up to receive my weekly News Briefs. I look forward to sharing the exciting news of our department and news and insights you might send me.


With warm regards,

Morton O’Kelly
Chair and Professor
OKelly.1@osu.edu