Emerging GIS Applications for Community and Environmental Health

Program Overview

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based tools that analyze and visualize spatial data tied to specific locations, helping us understand patterns and relationships across geography, environment, and society to track pollutants, plan vital infrastructure, or restore ecosystems¹. In recent years, GIS has become indispensable in tackling complex environmental and public health challenges. From mapping wetland restoration zones to identifying ideal communities to receive transportation improvements, GIS enables professionals to layer environmental, geographic, and social data to guide smarter, more representative planning decisions².

This EPN event will spotlight emerging GIS applications that support community and environmental health. A dynamic panel of GIS experts based in Ohio will share fascinating use cases and projects, ranging from wetland habitat analysis to transportation planning, that demonstrate how spatial data is driving innovation across sectors.

Whether you're a:

• GIS professional looking to explore new use cases and technologies,
• Environmental practitioner curious about how emerging GIS applications can enhance your work,
• Or a student interested in GIS careers and how spatial tools are shaping the future of sustainability and public health...

This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with experts, discover practical applications, and envision new ways to use mapping for meaningful impact.

¹: United States Geological Survey (2025)  Link here.

²: ESRI, "Delineating the Future of Wetlands: How states and local governments use GIS to support wetland related workflows" (2023) Link here.

Agenda

7:15 a.m. Doors open at Ohio State 4-H Center; Coffee served for in-person attendees.  

7:40 a.m. Breakfast buffet served for in-person attendees.  

8:00 a.m. Livestreaming service begins for virtual attendees. Jessica St-Pierre, GIS Specialist, Ohio State University Libraries, provides welcome remarks.

8:05 a.m. Julia Reed, Student Ambassador, OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR), connects the event's thematic focus on GIS applications to her professional internships and experiences as a student in SENR's Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability major.

8:10 a.m. Bryan O'Reilly, Data Scientist, Burgess & Niple, shares how mixed-methods applications of geographic and qualitative community feedback data can be combined to better prioritize sites to receive community infrastructure improvements.

8:25 a.m. Aaron Laver, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, GEOACE, provides his perspective on the continuing evolution of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications, and shares how his client-focused GIS products utilize unique datasets to inform environmental planning efforts. 

8:40 a.m. Ellie Schiappa, MS, Conservation Associate, Black Swamp Conservancy, shares how she uses GIS (in collaboration with GEOACE) to identify conservation priority areas—especially wetlands—in partnership efforts across northwest Ohio’s historic Great Black Swamp region.

8:50 a.m. Chelsea Keefer, MS, Restoration Biologist, Stream + Wetlands Foundation, highlights her growth into GIS and how the Stream + Wetlands Foundation applies it to support impactful conservation work, primarily through project site map-making.

9:00 a.m. Harvey Miller, PhD, Professor of Geography and Director, Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA) at OSU, provides an overview of CURA and moderates panel discussion with O'Reilly, Laver, Schiappa, and Keefer.

9:20 a.m. In-person and virtual audience Q&A session.

9:30 a.m. Tim Haab, PhD, Director, OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources, concludes breakfast program.

Speakers

Harvey Miller, PhD, Professor, Reusche Chair in Geographic Information Science (GISc), Department of Geography at OSU; Director, Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA)

Dr. Harvey Miller is the Bob and Mary Reusche Chair in GISc and a Professor of Geography at OSU, where he also directs the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis (CURA). His research focuses on sustainable, resilient, and equitable mobility, applying advanced spatial analytics to challenges in transportation systems, public health, and urban planning. He holds affiliate roles with OSU’s Translational Data Analytics Institute, Sustainability Institute, and Institute for Population Research. Dr. Miller earned his PhD in Geography from OSU, and his MA and BA from Kent State University.

Bryan O'Reilly, MS, Data Scientist, Burgess & Niple

Bryan is an experienced data scientist and geospatial analysis expert dedicated to advancing equitable and impactful community planning. His expertise lies in blending quantitative rigor with qualitative insights to address critical challenges in transportation safety and infrastructure planning. Passionate about empowering communities, Bryan creates user-friendly, dynamic solutions that foster trust, support informed decision-making, and drive meaningful change in an increasingly data-driven world.

Aaron Laver, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, GEOACE

Aaron Laver is the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of GEOACE, a geospatial technology firm specializing in location-based solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and spatial awareness for organizations. Aaron entered the geospatial field in 2010 while transitioning from military service to an ecological career, quickly recognizing the transformative potential of GIS. He implemented his first spatial program as an intern, which became a core business tool and led him to launch his own company in 2018. In 2019, Aaron partnered with GEOACE Founder Mike Bowen to build GEOACE's ability help clients harness the power of spatial data. Aaron received his BS in Environmental Science from the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) at OSU.

Ellie Schiappa, MS, Conservation Associate Black Swamp Conservancy

Ellie is the Conservation Associate at Black Swamp Conservancy located in northwest Ohio. Black Swamp Conservancy is a non-profit land trust that protects & restores natural habitat and family farms throughout the region. Ellie manages their easement stewardship program which includes conducting annual monitoring visits of conserved properties and coordinating landowner communications. She utilizes multiple spatial and geographic tools including GIS in her work in easement stewardship, as well as in new land protection projects by identifying critical conservation areas and priority projects.

Chelsea Keefer, MS, Restoration Biologist, Stream + Wetlands Foundation

Chelsea is a Restoration Biologist for the Stream + Wetlands Foundation (S+W), a non-profit stream and wetland restoration company. During her formal education, she conducted a rigorous research study in native species revegetation and seed ecology. She published her findings as the primary author of a peer reviewed research paper that appeared in the Journal of Rangeland Ecology and Management. Chelsea is a GIS power user, utilizing GIS in many aspects of her career in habitat restoration. Chelsea is passionate about environmental conservation and enjoys public outreach and education.

Jessica St-Pierre, GIS Specialist, Ohio State University Libraries

Jessica is the GIS Specialist at the OSU Libraries, where she develops educational support for faculty, students, and researchers using geospatial data, methods, and tools. Jess helps researchers and project teams understand and apply GIS in their research and instruction through consultations and a variety of educational programming. Previously, she served as a GIS Project Manager working on projects across a wide range of industries and research topics, including agriculture and environmental science. The University Libraries’ geospatial information services team offers research support and education, including GIS consultations and project support, teaching GIS workshops and training opportunities, promoting the use of GIS in research and teaching, assisting in locating GIS data for research, and connecting researchers with other GIS resources at Ohio State. For more information, please visit the GIS services webpage.

SENR Student Spotlight

Julia Reed, Student Ambassador, OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR)

Julia is a fourth-year student studying Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS) with minors in Geographic Information Sciences and City and Regional Planning. Her interests are centered around the intersections of environmental and social issues and learning how to develop equitable solutions. Julia has had the opportunity to utilize GIS for environmental and community health with her professional experiences as a Stormwater Intern for Montgomery County Engineers and an Environmental Intern for Environmental Design & Research. She is passionate about developing her GIS skills to serve and protect local communities and ecosystems.  

Additional Information 

We strive to host events that are inclusive and accessible to everyone. If you have a disability and require accommodations to fully participate in this activity, please reach out to Hallie Stelzle, EPN Program Assistant (stelzle.2@osu.edu). Requests made five business days in advance will generally allow us to provide seamless access. However, we will make every effort to meet requests made after this time frame. You will be contacted by someone from our staff to discuss your specific needs.