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Graduate Students
Graduate students in Geography and Environmental Resources come from a variety of backgrounds and have diverse research and career interests. The graduate students below are currently working with faculty in Geography and Environmental Resources. They include students in the Geography and Environmental Resources M.S. program, as well as doctoral students from Environmental Resources and Policy (ERP) and Geosciences
Bibek Ban
Hometown: Rupandehi, Nepal
Undergraduate Institution: IOF, Tribhuvan University
Research Interests: Application of GIS and Remote Sensing in sustainable natural resource management, UASs based mapping and monitoring, global change
Future Career Plans: Geospatial Data Scientist, GIS and Remote Sensing Researcher
Why SIU? Diverse research interest and expertise of faculty members along with departmental resources that has lot to offer for students like me, friendly atmosphere among students and faculty members
Max Blessman
Hometown: Peoria IL
Undergraduate Institution: SIUC
Research Interests: Climate Change and Environmental Conservation
Future Career Plans: A career that allows me to help improve the current state of the environment.
Why SIU? It is the most beautiful campus in Illinois, and it provides me with many opportunities to explore the great outdoors.
Zachary Carter
Hometown: Cheektowaga, NY
Undergraduate Institution: Rochester Institute of Technology
Research Interest: Environmental Psychology
Future Career Plans: Research or outreach advocating for environmental issues
Why SIU? A combination of faculty with knowledge and experience related to my research interests as well as the unique campus and local area.
Michael Edidem
Hometown: Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution: University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Research Interests: Geospatial Artificial Intelligence, Remote Sensing, Smart Cities, and GIS.
Future Career Plans: Geospatial Data Scientist and ML Engineer.
Why SIU? The high level of interdisciplinary research output of the faculty at SIU Geography.
Pearl Sika Fichtel
Hometown: Adaklu Aboadi, Ghana
Undergraduate Institution: Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
Research Interests: Environmental management, sustainability, and administration
Future Career Plans: I hope to work primarily with the UN and world bank and possibly other developmental banks as a project manager or environmental administrator. Also, I would love to use my knowledge and skills in helping to enact sound policies that will promote sustainability and climate change.
Why SIU? The friendliness of the Professors at SIUC, especially in the School of Earth Systems and Sustainability.
Tara Giri
Hometown: Udayapur, Nepal
Undergraduate Institution: IOF, Tribhuvan University
Research Interests: Floodplain sedimentation
Future Career Plans: GIS Analyst, Urban Planning
Why SIU? Prestigious University with board research scope and friendly environment.
Faith Houston
Hometown: Saint Joseph, IL
Undergraduate Institution: SIUC
Research Interests: Conservation of ecosystems and sustainability
Future Career Plans: Environmental Health and Safety Officer
Why SIU? It's my alma mater! I enjoyed my time here during undergrad and I wanted to continue my studies where I had connections.
Joseph Kalinzi
Hometown: Kampala, Uganda
Undergraduate Institution: Makerere University Kampala
Research Interests: Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Remote Sensing and GIS Applications
Future Career Plans: Develop GIS Applications that maximize Machine Learning Algorithms.
Why SIU? The diversity of the student population and the research opportunities.
Nick Keller
Hometown: Murphysboro, IL
Undergraduate Institution: SIUC
Research Interests: Socioeconomics and their impact on resource management.
Future Career Plans: Natural Resource Manager
Why SIU? I grew up just down the road and I always wanted to come to SIU as a child so when I got the opportunity, I couldn’t pass it up.
Ryan Lefaivre
Hometown: Roscoe, IL
Undergraduate Institution: Augustana College, IL
Research Interests: Human-environmental interactions, spatial analysis, and citizen science.
Future Career Plans: Environmental Management and GIS.
Why SIU? The faculty members in the geography and environmental resources department at SIU cover a wide range of interests. There is great collaboration between the various faculty members. Also, southern Illinois has plenty of hiking and exploring.
Victoria Mathieu
Hometown: Elburn, IL
Undergraduate Institution: SIU
Research Interests: Aviation, weather, GIS
Career: Aviation industry
Why SIU? During my undergrad, I got a Minor in Geography. I've worked in SIU Aviation for a few years. Now that I'm continuing my education, I came back to SIU Geography!
Theresa Ogbeche
Hometown: Gakem, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution: Lagos State University, Nigeria
Research Interests: Environmental psychology, pro-environmental behavior, sustainable energy transition, and sustainable agriculture.
Future Career Plans: Energy Planner
Why SIU? Sound research reputation, hub of brilliant faculties, multicultural environment, diversity and inclusiveness.
Andrew Paxton
Hometown: Erie, IL
Undergraduate Institution: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Research Interests: Synoptic Climatology, Climate Modeling
Future Career Plans: Research/Higher Ed
Why SIU? History of scientific research and great mentors.
Ope Rasaq-Balogun
Hometown: Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Undergraduate Institution: Federal University of Technology, Akure. Nigeria
Research Interests: Climate variability and Change especially Extreme events, Climatology, and Heat stress
Future Career Plans: I would like to begin my rewarding career as a teacher after my doctoral studies.
Why SIU? The school's reputation for renowned higher education programs. I also love the diversity of the school.