Tornadoes, with their potentially violent winds, are one of the most dangerous natural hazards on Earth. While tornadoes are generally pretty rare in any one location, they often occur in swarms. My research attempts to answer the question of whether or not climate change is making tornado swarms worse, and if so, how. Tornadoes can occur anywhere in the United States but are most common east of the Rocky Mountains (see Figure 1). Tornadoes form from large thunderstorms primarily during the months of March through May. These giant thunderstorms are capable of producing very destructive long lasting tornadoes. Swarms of tornadoes are…
Category: geography
Sedentary Time Linked to Weather for Kids in Mexico City
Global increases in sedentary behavior – like sitting or lying down – are worrisome for public health as they may be harbingers of increased mortality and morbidity, such as obesity and high blood pressure. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 25% of adults and more than 80% of adolescents across the world are not physically…
The Cultural Landscape of Thanksgiving
This is a repost. The blog was first posted 11/19/18. Thanksgiving is upon us. As we ready to join our families this holiday, it is worth taking a moment to reflect upon the meaning of the holiday. As a cultural geographer, I study how systems of cultural meaning and power structure our understanding of the…
Halloween Screams Prosperity
As consumers purchase candy, costumes, and pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween can be a time to reflect on traditions and prosperity.
Ph.D. Spotlight: Bivariate and Multivariate Geovisualization Methods Using Color, Gridded Symbologies, and Visual Analytics
While univariate maps are both standard and widespread, there are limitations to their uses. Bivariate maps have the potential to reveal spatial relationships and patterns between two variables on a single map more effectively than by using two side-by-side univariate maps. Bivariate maps can make use of a variety of symbol strategies, such as color…
Ph.D. Spotlight: On Geography, Institutions, Human Capital, and Economic Development.
Dr. Montesinos-Yufa’s dissertation takes a look at the three main hypotheses that have been proposed to explain the fundamental causes of growth and economic development. Chapter 2 of this dissertation explores the hypothesis that geographic conditions associated with climate and time impact development advisedly, and how this impact, if any, may have changed over time….
Research Spotlight: Finding bright spots of hope for Caribbean coral reefs
Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. They are home to an incredible variety of marine life, including many beautiful and brightly colored fish, corals and other organisms, making them popular destinations for snorkelers and SCUBA divers. But coral reefs are not just a pretty place for tourists to…
Research Spotlight: Lead Poisoning Prevention Efforts in High-Risk Environments
Plenty of parents in the post-COVID-19 world are struggling with the prospects of reopening schools amid the virus surge. Many parents feel overwhelmed by concerns about the untested efficacy of planned safety measures within brick and mortar schools and are awestruck by the gaping holes in proposed distance learning curricula. It is difficult for parents,…
Gendered Consequences of COVID-19 Emergency Measures
This piece first appeared on Medium. One of the most common measures across the globe to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce public health systems’ stress is the implementation of restrictions on citizens’ mobility and stay-at-home orders. While this measure has proven effective in containing COVID-19 contagion, it has gendered implications because…
Research Spotlight: How Does Advice to Women and Men Traveling Alone Reflect Gender Inequality?
Searching the internet has become almost a prerequisite for travel (though considerably fewer trips, of course, are happening during the pandemic). Online articles and blogs are appealing sources of information because they offer up-to-date travel advice, often drawn from personal experiences. Despite their widespread use, online travel articles have received surprisingly little research attention. Dr….
