Graduate Students

Explore the scholars who have shaped—and continue to shape—our MA in Geography and Master of Science in GIS (MSGIS) programs. This section highlights both current students and alumni, showcasing the breadth of research, innovation, and professional growth within our graduate community.

Expand the profiles below to learn more about each student’s academic journey, including their thesis work, professional experience via LinkedIn, and the faculty mentors who supported their success throughout the program.

M.A. in Geography 

Check out the amazing work accomplished by our current and past students! 

Schultheis, Brendan Scott, (2024) Estimating Oak Tree Biomass Using Canopy-Based Estimates of Trunk Diameter Derived From High-Resolution sUAS Imagery
Thesis Committee - Dr. Paul Laris (chair), Mr. Scott Winslow, Dr. Mystyn Mills. 

Venegas, Maria, (2023) Vulnerabilities and Resilience to Weather Events: Woodford Saint Andrew, Jamaica
Thesis Committee - Dr. Gary Hytrek (chair), Dr. House-Peters, Dr. Dmitrii Sidorov. 

Mayer, Cameron, (2022) New West Tension and Threatened Species Protection: The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Debate in the Morongo Basin, California
Thesis Committee - Dr. Paul Laris (chair), Dr. Argandona, Dr. House-Peters

Dowell, Julia, (2022) Taking the Temperature of Climate Change in Long Beach: Concerns and Responses of Long Beach Residents Regarding Extreme Heat and Health Impacts
Thesis Committee - Dr. Gary Hytrek (chair), Dr. House-Peters, Dr. Jocoy

Siwabessy, Andrew, (2021) Geologic Mapping of Terra Cimmeria, Mars, and Resultant Implications for the Martian Plate Tectonics Hypotheses
Thesis Committee - Dr. Rodrigue (chair), Dr. Onderdonk, Dr. Wechsler

Jacobs, Rebecca L. (2018) Determinants of Fire Intensity in a Mesic West Africa Savanna: A Statistical Analysis of Fire Characteristics
Thesis Committee - Dr. Paul Laris (chair), Dr. Rodrigue, Dr. Langdon

Timm, Susan E., (2008) Using remote sensing, GIS, and landscape ecology techniques in wildland management
Thesis Committee - Dr.Lee (chair), Dr. Wechsler, Dr. Behl

Pitts, Lisa, (2005) GIS in high schools: A case for teaching geography through technology
Thesis Committee - Dr. Wechsler (chair), Dr. Garver, Dr. Rodrigue

Student Thesis Thesis Committee
Cisneros, AidaParents’ Perceptions of Pollution Exposure on Their Children in the City of Long Beach, CaliforniaDr. Perlitsh (chair), Dr. Hytrek, Dr. Ban
Prell, Kathryn LindsayCannabis Policy and Equity Outcomes in Long Beach, CaliforniaDr. Jocoy (chair), Dr. House-Peters, Dr. Sidorov

StudentThesisThesis Committee
Vallarta, ArthellaOperation Next: Is This Expansion of Recycled Water Reuse Possible in Los Angeles?Dr. Dallman (chair), Dr. House-Peters, Dr. Jocoy
Nwanze, ChieduRecreation, Health, and Safety: A Study of the Accessibility and Utilization of the City Parks in Long BeachDr. Laris (chair), Dr. Hytrek, Dr. Rodrigue
Siwabessy, AndrewGeologic Mapping of Terra Cimmeria, Mars, and Resultant Implications for the Martian Plate Tectonics HypothesesDr. Rodrigue (chair), Dr. Anderson, Dr. Onderdonk, Dr. Wechsler
Abramova, AnnaQuantifying Coal Mining Contamination and Estimating Their Spatial Distribution: Svalbard ArchipelagoDr. Wechsler (chair), Dr. Stevens-Landon, Mr. Winslow, Dr. Dallman 

Student ThesisThesis Committee
Garcia, KyleFunctional Patterns: An Auto-Ethnography into the Spatialities of Training Intentionally, and Not HabituallyDr. Ban (chair), Dr. Hytrek, Dr. Miller
Georges, KatherineBehind the Practice: Drought and Decision Making by Tulare Basin FarmersDr. Dallman (chair), Dr. House-Peters, Dr. Laris
Berg, KirstenHow Green Is the Green Port? Shifting Port Narratives in Long Beach, CaliforniaDr. House-Peters (chair), Dr. Dallman, Dr. Hytrek
Emmons, DerekThe Flow of Resilience: A Case Study on Working Land Conservation in the Tule River Watershed, CaliforniaDr. House-Peters (chair), Dr. Laris, Dr. Dallman
Johnson, AnnaDocumentary Discourses on Climate Change: A Critical Discourse Analysis of An Inconvenient Truth and An Inconvenient SequelDr. House-Peters (chair), Dr. Dallman, Dr. Caputi
Guidimadjegbe, SegnideThe New Face of Agriculture in Southern California: Ventura County Farmers' Adaptations to Climate ChangeDr. Laris (chair), Dr. Dallman, Dr.House-Peters 
Vann-Foster, RachelNative California Forb and Grasslands: La Jolla Valley, Malibu a Long-Term Study of Species Change over TimeDr. Laris (chair), Dr. Rodrigue, Dr. Langdon
Yang, LilianEffects of Fire Disturbance and Grass Removal on Tree Growth in Mesic SavannasDr. Laris (chair), Dr. Rodrigue, Dr. Langdon
Golden, LaurelYosemite Soundscape: An Assessment of Anthropogenic Noise in Tuolumne MeadowsDr. Rodrigue (chair), Dr. Wechsler, Dr. Ban

M.S. in Geographic Information Science

Connect and see where our MSGIS students are today! 
Click on their names to view their LinkedIn.