Department News

Ms. Kathe's MS thesis evaluates the impact of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect, on the water quality of New York City's water supply system. The insect has caused damage to forests and agriculture in the Northeast, and Ms. Kathe's proposed research framework identifies areas where the insect is most likely to affect water quality. Her study recommends management strategies to reduce the insect's impact, particularly in the New Croton, Kensico, and Diverting reservoirs within the Croton Watershed.

Their study will utilize methods from forensic spectroscopy and soil science to test the effectiveness of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy as an extension of conventional minirhizotrons for recording root growth.

A deadly fire in China’s Xinjiang region last month triggered outcry against the nation’s stringent COVID policies, resulting in mass protests unseen in the country since 1989. Youqin Huang, a professor in University at Albany’s Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability, explains the significance of these protests.

Come to join us celebrating GIS Day on campus at the Lecture Center Concourse East (and Lecture Center 12) located right underneath the Performing Arts Building, organized by the Department of Geography and Planning together with CURCE (Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement). What is GIS? It is Geographic Information Science which helps us make better decisions for the society and environment.

Faculty Youqin Huang and Rui Li published another paper “COVID-19 pandemic and minority health disparities in New York City: A spatial and temporal perspective” in the journal Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science.

A nationally recognized endeavor by Girls Inc. that provides hands-on opportunities in STEM, the Capital Region Girls Inc. Eureka! program has 57 girls from a number of different schools attending UAlbany this summer to learn about atmospheric and environmental sciences, mathematics and statistics, physics, psychology, women’s studies, geography, planning, and sustainability, chemistry, ChoreoPhysics and biology.

Congratulations to the three Geography and Planning students who won awards in 2022: Derek Crossman - American Planning Association (APA) Outstanding Planning Student Award, Amanda Diaz - Paul D. Marr Memorial Award for Excellence in Planning, Madison Hrysko - David Mark Prize in Geography: Graduate Award.

The award honors UAlbany people and programs that have made outstanding contributions to addressing a significant societal need and enhancing public well-being through publicly engaged research, teaching, creative activity and/or public service, and in collaboration with community partners.