Mr. Clayton Queen will defend his thesis

Title: “Large-scale Mapping and Geomorphometry of Upland Periglacial Landscapes in Eastern Beringia.” 

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the thesis research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  All faculty and students are welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members may attend the second questioning stage with permission of the defending student.

A copy of the thesis is available electronically. Contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like the thesis sent to you electronically.

Committee:
Fritz Nelson (co-chair)
Alan Arbogast (co-chair)
Ashton Shortridge

Mr. Rajiv Paudel will take his oral comprehensive examination on Thursday, May 10, 2018, starting at 2:00 pm in Rm. 105 Geography Bldg.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Arika Ligmann-Zielinska (Chair)
Leo Zulu
Bruno Basso (Earth and Environmental Sciences)
Laura Kathryn Schmitt Oblabisi (Department of Community Sustainability

Ms. Leah Mungai will present and defend her dissertation proposal at the following date and time:   

Title: ” Multi-scale Sustainable Intensification of Small-holder Agriculture in Malawi”

Two hours will be allowed for the presentation and subsequent questioning. An initial uninterrupted presentation of the proposed research should be 20-30 minutes in length. Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation. The question session that follows will be moderated by the student’s Advisor, and all Guidance Committee members will actively participate. However, all persons attending may ask questions and offer comments.

Please contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like her to send you an electronic copy of the proposal.

Committee members:
Joseph Messina (Chair)
Jiaguo Qi
Leo Zulu
Sieglinde Snapp (Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences)

Mr. Chase Kasmerchak will take his oral comprehensive examination on Monday, April 30, 2018, starting at 9:00 am in Rm. 105 Geography Bldg.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Randy Schaetzl (Chair)
Alan Arbogast
Michael Velbel (Earth and Environmental Sciences)
David E. Rothstein (Forestry)

Title: FLOODING OIL: INVESTIGATING POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA

Please contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like an electronic copy of the dissertation.

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the dissertation research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Faculty are welcome to stay for this stage.  Graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend the second questioning stage with prior permission of the defending student.  Successful completion of the defense and approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation committee.

Committee:
Sue Grady (Chair)
Alan Arbogast
Leo Zulu
Rita Edozie (James Madison)

To: All GEO undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, Geography Club, GTU and Triple G members, and guests.

Please Join Us In Celebrating

The Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences GEO-GTU Annual Spring Reception

Recognizing Students For Their Academic Achievements
Graduating Seniors, Masters, and Ph.D.
GTU Initiates, and Department Award Winners

Friday, April 27, 2018

3:00-4:30 P.M.

Radiology Building Atrium

Refreshments served at 3:00 – Program begins at 3:15

All graduating students, GTU initiates, and award winners, are encouraged to bring your families or others who have encouraged you during your duration here at MSU!

Please Register! A sign-up sheet is located on Geography office door 109 or, email Ana O’Donnell at, odonn128@msu.edu

Marjorie and Lawrence Sommers Graduate Fellowship for International Research and Travel –  Laurie Sommers Presented to: Christina Gauthier

Owen Gregg Global Climate Change Research Award –  Sharon Zhong Presented to: Brad Peter

Graduate and Undergraduate Research Presentation Competition Winners – Under Graduate Winner: Celia Hallan (far right) Graduate Winners: First Place, Kelsey Nyland (Not in photo), Second Place, Victoria Breeze (Far left), Third Place, Chase Kasmerchak (center).

E. James Potchen Award for Geography – Winner for Undergraduate, Presented by: Kyla Dahlin (far left)  to, Michelle Church (center) Also in the photo is Academic Advisor, Gary Schnakenberg.

E. James Potchen Award for Geography – Winner for Graduate, Presented by: Nathan Moore to April Frake

GTU Inductees – Presented by: Gary Schnakenberg (far right). From right to left; Alan Arbogast, Vincent Black, Noah Bussell, Michelle Church, Benjamin Dougherty, Augustus Evered, Hannah Klein, Elizabeth Mack, Jacob Scott, Ashton Shortridge. Missing; Mikaela Czupski, Aires Rafael Gonguela, and Rajiv Paudel.

The Geography Club – Kaitlynn Burkhard & Alex Lafler

Geography Graduate Group – Triple G & SWIG

Ms. Jeanette Eckert will defend her dissertation at the following date and time:

Title:  AN ANALYSIS OF THE RESTAURANT LANDSCAPE IN THE DETROIT METROPOLITAN AREA: TRAVEL BEHAVIOR AND SPATIAL PATTERNS OF DIFFERENCE. 

Please contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like an electronic copy of the dissertation.

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the dissertation research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  The faculty is welcome to stay for this stage.  Graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend the second questioning stage with prior permission of the defending student.  Successful completion of the defense and approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation committee.

Committee:
Igor Vojnovic (Chair)
Sue Grady
Arika Ligmann-Zielinska
Eva Kassens-Noor  (School of Planning, Design, & Construction CSS)
Laura Reese (Political Science)

Ms. Gabriela Shirkey:  Straight-to-Phd presentation

Title: Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Agricultural Landscape Production.

All welcome to attend.

Mr. Lonnie Barnes will defend his thesis

Title: “Investigation of Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Asthma Hospitalizations in Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan” 

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the thesis research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  All faculty and students are welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members may attend the second questioning stage with permission of the defending student.

A copy of the thesis is available electronically.   Contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like the thesis sent to you electronically.

Committee:
Sue Grady (chair)
Joe Darden
Igor Vojnovic

Mr. Marshall Stageberg will defend his thesis;

Title: SENSITIVITIES OF SIMULATED FIRE-INDUCED FLOWS TO FIRE SHAPE AND BACKGROUND WIND PROFILE USING A CLOUD-RESOLVING MODEL

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the thesis research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  All faculty and students are welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members may attend the second questioning stage with permission of the defending student.

A copy of the thesis is available electronically.   Contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like the thesis sent to you electronically.

Committee:
Shiyuan Zhong (chair)
Lifeng Luo
Joseph Charney (U.S. Forest Service)

Title: The Spatial Analysis of Antiretroviral (ARV) and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Therapies Adherence: Case Study of Urban, Peri-Villages and Rural Areas of Botswana

Two hours will be allowed for the presentation and subsequent questioning. An initial uninterrupted presentation of the proposed research should be 20-30 minutes in length. Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation.  The question session that follows will be moderated by the student’s Advisor, and all Guidance Committee members will actively participate. However, all persons attending may ask questions and offer comments.

Committee members:
Sue Grady (Chair)
Julie Winkler
Leo Zulu
Anne Hughes (Social Work)

Destination New Orleans! We look forward to seeing all the MSU Spartans attending the American Association of Geographers; Please plan on joining us at The Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Science Sponsored Event, The District on April 12^th at 7:00 p.m. Feel free to bring your colleagues and friends!

The 8th Annual Geography Graduate Student Presentation Competition

Support your friends, TAs, students, and colleagues.  This year we are features 7 graduate and 4 undergraduate presenters.

This competition offers our GEO grad students a chance to share their work with colleagues and friends, and a chance to practice presenting. Also, compete for a shot at cash prizes!

The winners will be announced at the Geography and GTU Reception on Friday, April 27, at 3:00 p.m. in the Radiology Building Atrium.  (You can sign up for the Reception on Ana O’Donnell’s door, GEO 109, or email her at odonn128@msu.edu to add you to the list.)

A special thank you to the Faculty who have agreed to serve as judges!

Ms. Qiong Joan Zhang will take her oral comprehensive examination on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, starting at 10:00 am in Rm. 255 Baker Hall.

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Sue Grady (Chair)
Julie Winkler
Sharon Zhong
Eric Freeman (Journalism)

Mr. Kevin Credit will defend his dissertation
Title:  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY: HOW PROXIMITY TO TRANSIT AND WALKABILITY INFLUENCE BUSINESS CREATION AND PERFORMANCE

Please contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like an electronic copy of the dissertation.

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the dissertation research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  The faculty is welcome to stay for this stage.  Graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend the second questioning stage with prior permission of the defending student.  Successful completion of the defense and approval of the dissertation will be determined by a majority vote of the dissertation committee.

Committee:
Elizabeth Mack (Chair)
Ashton Shortridge
Igor Vojnovic
Zenia Kotval (School of Planning, Design, & Construction CSS)

Mr. Michael Bomber will defend his thesis; 
Title: GEOBIA FOR IDENTIFYING JACK PINE SAPLINGS

The defense will consist of two steps:  a 30-60 minute uninterrupted presentation by the student summarizing the thesis research, and a subsequent two-stage questioning session.  All faculty and students are welcome to attend the presentation and to participate in the initial portion of the question session, which will be moderated by the Advisor.  The Advisor and Guidance Committee will ask questions in the second stage of this session.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members may attend the second questioning stage with permission of the defending student.

A copy of the thesis is available electronically.   Contact Sharon Ruggles ruggles@msu.edu if you would like the thesis sent to you electronically.

Committee:
Raechel White (chair)
Ashton Shortridge
Catherine Yansa

Title: Measuring and modeling the effects of sea level rise on near-coastal riverine regions: a geospatial comparison of the Shatt Al-Arab River in southern Iraq with the Mississippi River Delta in southern Louisiana, USA.

Two hours will be allowed for the presentation and subsequent questioning. An initial uninterrupted presentation of the proposed research should be 20-30 minutes in length. Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation.  The student’s Advisor will moderate the question session that follows, and all Guidance Committee members will actively participate. However, all persons attending may ask questions and offer comments.

Committee members:
Ashton Shortridge (Chair)
Jiaguo Qi
Lifeng Luo
Hayder Radha (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

The Hard Winter of 1880-1881 was featured in the Laura Ingalls Wilder historical fiction account, The Long Winter, as well as in other novels and several town histories across the region. Both meteorological records and historical accounts indicate that the winter was particularly long, snowy, and cold. An understanding of the climatological factors influencing the Hard Winter, along with the context for its severity, allow us to quantify and describe its severity, as well as provide potential attribution. Additionally, the connection of the winter of 1880-1881 to a popular book written by an author who is a cultural icon provides a natural vehicle with which to communicate weather and climate concepts to multiple non-technical audiences. A narrative constructed around the books, particularly The Long Winter, provides a means of audience engagement and interest in weather- and climate-related topics.

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Title: Entrepreneurial propensity:  The constraining and enabling factors of institutional environments on women faculty in engineering

Two hours will be allowed for the presentation and subsequent questioning. An initial uninterrupted presentation of the proposed research should be 20-30 minutes in length. Anyone, including faculty, students, and staff, is welcome to attend the presentation.  The student’s Advisor will moderate the question session that follows, and all Guidance Committee members will actively participate. However, all persons attending may ask questions and offer comments.

Committee members:
Elizabeth Mack (Chair)
Joe T. Darden
Igor Vojnovic
Logan Williams (Lyman Briggs)

Mr. Ryan Nagelkirk will defend his Dissertation Proposal on Friday, March 23, 2018, starting at 2:00 pm in Rm. 126 Geography Building. 

All Geography faculty may attend and participate in the oral examination.  Geography graduate students and other non-committee members (e.g., family and friends) may attend with prior approval of the student being examined.

Committee:
Kyla Dahlin (Chair)
Nathan Moore
Jennifer Olson (Department of Media and Information)
Dr. Gary Roloff (Department of Fisheries and Wildlife)