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School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

B.Eng., Geographical and Environmental Engineering, Escuela Politécnica del Ejército

M.A., Geography, Arizona State University

Ph. D., Geography and the Environment, University of Texas at Austin

 

Room: UW2-333

Phone: 425-352-3393

Box: 358530

Email: slopez@uwb.edu

 

In my teaching experiences to date, whenever possible I have attempted to teach key geographical concepts that are intended to stimulate quantitative and qualitative spatial thinking. In all of the classes and labs that I have taught, I have resolved not to focus my teaching efforts on particular software or tools. Students often tend to think that geotechniques classes are software-based technical guidelines; by contrast, I am convinced that students should be guided on how to think spatially to solve a variety of problems and that in so doing they become better analysts, problem solvers, and project managers rather than software experts. My classes usually involve a hands-on computer-based component which is oriented to put into practice the material covered during lectures. Although I enjoy working with students during lab sessions, I believe that students should put additional effort outside class time to solve spatial problems on their own. Nevertheless, it is clear to me that my assistance is necessary and I am willing to work with students individually to overcome any problem they may experience inside or outside class.

 

BIS 342 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

BIS 442 Advanced Geographic Information Systems

BIS 242 Environmental Geography

 

My research interests are wide ranging. However, the thread that runs through all of my research is its theoretical and empirical base in geographic information science (GISc) (i.e. the science behind geotechnologies such as geographic information systems, global positioning systems, remote sensing, and spatial statistics). My interest relies on how spatial and social theories can be merged and how spatial technologies can help to answer a variety of questions like: How are social and spatial theories and techniques used to improve our knowledge about the places we live in? Can we always rely on them to advance our understanding of societies and the environment? What conceptual formulations best represent the spatial and temporal dynamics we observe in natural and anthropogenic landscapes? How important is the spatial context for understanding social behavior and decision making? How are environmental policies affected by social and biophysical characterizations of the places we live in?

 

Recent Publications

Working Papers