The Advanced GIS Lab focuses on advanced spatial analysis and the research and development of advanced GIS solutions.
The lab stresses a transdisciplinary approach to knowledge, research, and problem solving that takes the core ideas, methods, and concepts from several disciplines and uses them to study a broad range of problems. The lab at Claremont Graduate University is aimed at stimulating student initiated GIS analysis, research, and solutions through corporate partnerships.
Currently, the Lab is working on issues that involve using GIS technologies to improve community health management, better manage transportation systems, and target humanitarian relief efforts. The lab is an officially designated Esri Development Center (EDC).
Some of the current projects include:
Sea Urchin survey, Laguna Beach
Without natural predators, sea urchins overgraze kelp forests, transforming them into barren areas and drastically altering coastal ecosystems. Students explore innovative methods using drones, various sensors and AI tools to automate surveying techniques for effective and consistent sea urchin counts to aid conservation efforts.
Monitoring Tree health, Los Angeles County
Along with Los Angeles County Park and Recreation, students are exploring the use of GIS and AI to develop scalable and efficient tree health assessment methods for monitoring diseases, tracking changes over time, and supporting conservation efforts. By integrating the use of drones and various sensors along with remote sensing, and AI tools, this study aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of tree health assessment while reducing the time and resources required for laborious manual surveys.
In the field in Costa Rica
Pitzer College Firestone Field Station in Costa Rica provides a perfect fieldwork opportunity for students from various subject areas. Accompany Prof Warren Roberts during summer months for project-based learning using various geospatial technologies and perform analysis on variety of projects.
