Research Interests

My research focuses on understanding, envisioning, and planning of Complex Human-Environment Systems (CHES) to achieve improved sustainability. In exploring CHES complexity, my work features a digital, high performance (big data friendly, parallel/clouds computing enabled, web-based), and 4-D holographic methodology. Currently my projects revolve around the following threads:

  • Developing a hybrid (statistical, geospatial, and simulation-based) methodology to facilitate representation/visualization, understanding, and envisioning of complex human-environment systems (CHES).
  • Revealing dynamics and mechanisms of complex human-environment systems (CHES) through international, interdisciplinary, and inter-scale (local-global, short-long term, lower-upper level) research.
  • Performing space-time analysis and modeling for improved planning, management, and recovery of CHES.
  • Seeking pathways toward improved human health through better environment planning, management, and conservation.
  • Establishing and maintaining various CHES research, education, and outreach networks.

Data science, complexity theory, landscape ecology, geographic information science, cyberinfrastructure theory and technology, and other relevant domain knowledge (e.g., sociology, demography) leverage theoretical and methodological support toward this goal. In particular, my research has been characterized by developing, testing, and applying spatially explicit agent-based models in various complex human-environment systems.


Research Group

Research Scientists

  • Dr. Jinghua Xie, visiting scholar (2023) at San Diego State University
  • Dr. Eve Bohnett, postdoctoral fellow (2020 ~ 2022; 2023 ~ present, part-time) at San Diego State University & Auburn University
  • Dr. Haiyan Wang, visiting scholar (2017 ~ 2018) at San Diego State University
  • Dr. Xuan Tian, visiting scholar (2016 ~ 2017) at San Diego State University
  • Dr. Guangming He, senior software developer (2016 ~ 2017) at San Diego State University
  • Dr. Hsiang Ling Chen, postdoctoral fellow (2015 ~ 2017) at San Diego State Universityat San Diego State University
  • Dr. Yuejin Deng, visiting scholar (2014 ~ 2015)

Ph.D. Students

  • Xiaoxiao Wei (2023 ~ present), Auburn University
  • Ren Cao (2020 ~ present), San Diego State University (before 2023) and Auburn University (2023 ~ present)
  • My Thu Tran (2022 ~ 2023), San Diego State University
  • Huijie Zhang (2018 ~ 2024), San Diego State University
  • Jie Dai (2013 ~ 2020), San Diego State University
  • Shuang Yang (2011 ~ 2018), San Diego State University
  • Ninghua Wang (2009 ~ 2013), San Diego State University
  • Alex Zvoleff (2008 ~ 2013), San Diego State University
  • Sarah Wandersee (2008 ~ 2013), San Diego State University

M.S. Students

  • Daniel Ochoa (2021 ~ 2023) at San Diego State University
  • Yanjing (Tracy) Liu (2020 ~ 2022) at San Diego State University
  • Alexandra Yost (2017 ~ 2020) at San Diego State University
  • Jeanne Patton (2015 ~ 2020); co-advised with John O'Leary at San Diego State University
  • William Orihuela (2014 ~ present) at San Diego State University
  • Judy Mak, M.S. Student (2016 ~ 2018) at San Diego State University
  • Curtis Battle (2012 ~ 2016) at San Diego State University
  • Kristin Meseck (2011 ~ 2013) at San Diego State University
  • Jennifer Vaughan (2008 ~ 2010) at San Diego State University
  • Susan Whitford (2006 ~ 2008) at San Diego State University

Graduate Students (as thesis or dissertation committee member)

  • Doctoral students at San Diego State University: Arika Ligmann-Zielinska (2008), Xinyue Ye (2009), Mary Freeman (2012), Justin Stoler (2012), Abigail Sullivan (Arizona State University; 2016), Yu-Hsin (Cindy) Tsai, Yihui Wang (Biology), Zhuolin (Frank) Du (Auburn University, current).

  • M.S./M.A. Students at San Diego State University: Jing-Yi Chen (2006), Sarah Hinton (2007), Xuening Li (2007), Mersee J. Madison_Villar (Biology; 2007), Hua Liu (Civil and Environmental Engineering; 2007), Anna Mitelberg (Biology; 2008), Wyson Pang (2008), Adam Wagschal (2009), Kira Withy-Allen (Biology; 2009), Wei Chen (Statistics; 2009), Jeffrey LaMantia-Bishop (2010), Jeanie Gaudette (2010), Jeremy Hamm (2010), Kelly Tait (Biology; 2010), Alexander Gaos (Biology; 2011) , Heather D'Anna (Biology; 2011), Danna Hinderle (Biology; 2011), Bradley McDonald (Biology; 2011), Doug Wylie (2012), Daniel Lusher (2013), Joelle Andrews (Biology; 2013), Kalee Koeslag (Biology), Julia Smith (Biology), Kylie Curtis (Biology).

Undergraduate Assistants

  • Student Interns at San Diego State University: Evan Casey (2012 ~ 2016; 2018 ~ 2021), Chenghui Liu (2014), Mengen Lyu (2014 ~ 2016).

  • Summer/Spring Scholars at San Diego State University: Justin McMillan (2014 Summer Scholar), Amber McKinney (2014 Summer Scholar), Michael Cassidy (2016 Spring Scholar), Inka Cresswell (2016 Spring Scholar)