Our Board Members

Dr. Jon Comer - Professor and Associate Head | Department of Geography | Oklahoma State University

Dr. ​Jon Comer is Professor and Associate Head in the Department of Geography at Oklahoma State University. He has served on the Board of Directors for AGX since 2014 and as Secretary since 2019. His research interests include communications geography, spatial analysis, and urban, economic, and transportation geography. The very first academic conference he attended (as a graduate student) was the Applied Geography Conference in Charlotte in 1990, and he has been a regular presenter at AGX since 1999.

Dr. Tony Hernandez - Professor | Department of Real Estate Management | Ryerson University

Dr. Tony Hernandez is a Professor in the School of Retail Management and Department of Real Estate Management at the Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University. Dr. Hernandez also serves as the Director and Eaton Chair in Retailing at the Centre for the Study of Commercial Activity. Founded in 1992, the CSCA is a not-for-profit academic research unit at Ryerson that primarily studies retail and service sector activities. The centre works with private and public sector organizations, including major retailers, developers, brokerage and leasing firms, consultants, government departments and industry associations. His research and teaching focuses on retail innovation and strategy, location analysis and retail planning. Trained as an applied geographer, Tony enjoys being part of the AGX community, sharing research interests with colleagues, and serving on the Board.

Dr. Wei Song - Professor and Chair | Department of Geographic and Environmental Science - University of Louisville

Dr. Wei Song is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Geographic and Environmental Sciences at the University of Louisville (UofL). He is also a Ph.D. faculty in Urban and Public Affairs and an affiliated faculty in Asian Studies.
Dr. Wei Song received his Ph.D. in geography from the Ohio State University, his M.A. in regional science from the George Washington University, and his B.S. in economic geography from Peking University.
Dr. Wei Song is a human-economic geographer. The central theme of his research is the spatial heterogeneity in social, economic and demographic processes, primarily at urban and regional scales. Dr. Song’s research and teaching interests include location and transportation analysis, economic geography, urban (crime) issues, spatial statistics, and GIS applications.
Dr. Wei Song is a Social & Behavioral Sciences Representative in the Kentucky Academy of Science. He currently serves as an Associate Editor of Papers in Applied Geography, a Topic Editor of Sustainability, and on the editorial board of International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research. 

Dr. Brandon Vogt - Associate Professor | Department of Geography and Environmental Studies | UC-Colorado Springs

Dr. Brandon Vogt earned his Master's and a PhD, both in geographical sciences, from Arizona State University (ASU). He joined the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) Department of Geography and Environmental Studies (GES) faculty in 2009. Within physical geography, Dr. Vogt's research focuses on understanding the ways in which landsurface texture interacts with earth surface and atmospheric processes. Mountain weather and microclimate drive his passion in this area. His current research seeks to unravel some of the nuances of thunderstorms’ interactions with the mountainous topography of Colorado. 
Dr. Vogt teaches courses in geospatial technologies, physical geography, geomorphology, meteorology, microclimate, a capstone snow and ice course in Silverton, Colorado, and co-teaches a course that explores how sound informs landscape. He is committed to undergraduate research and serves as the Graduate Director for the UCCS MA in Applied Geography. He emphasizes experiential learning and other high-impact educational practices and is especially proud of the ways in which he extends art into science. 
Over the years, Dr. Vogt’s largest contribution to AGX has been his role with conference student paper and poster competitions. He believes that students are, without a doubt, the most important part of AGX conferences and community (our future applied geographers!), and he always looks forward to watching students advance their academic and professional careers as they network with others and share how they are working to advanced applied geography. 

Claire Burch, M.S. - Ph.D. Candidate | Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability | University of Oklahoma

Claire Burch is a Ph.D. candidate interested in environmental permitting and planning of utility-scale wind and solar development. She received her M.S. in Environmental Sustainability in 2020 from the University of Oklahoma. She currently teaches at OU and serves as a graduate research assistant and project manager for an NSF-funded research experience for teachers focused on sustainable energy engineering for empowering rural communities. In addition to her studies, Claire is an Assistant Scientist with Olsson in their Utility Environmental division, where she assists in managing environmental studies and permitting requirements for renewable energy clients in the Great Plains region. She also works with the Playa Lakes Joint Venture on their renewable energy collaborative, helping to build that program out. Claire began as a student board member for AGX in 2020 and transitioned to a full board member in 2021. Claire joined AGX because she felt the organization offered a unique opportunity for students to build their networks.​

Dr. Timothy Hawthorne - Associate Professor of GIS and Graduate Director | Department of Sociology | University of Central Florida

Dr. Timothy L. Hawthorne is 2022 National Geographic Explorer and a tenured, associate professor of geographic information systems (GIS) in the department of sociology at University of Central Florida. He is a public scholar broadly trained in human geography with expertise in community-based scholarship and citizen science. In 2015, he founded an internationally recognized research group called Citizen Science GIS. The group’s goal is to connect scientists and society through the use of geospatial technologies to make science more accessible and responsive to community concerns.  Along with UCF support and that of several public partners and Lynx, a local bus company, the team recently built the nation’s first GeoBus™, a mobile STEAM research and education lab on a repurposed 40-foot city bus that provides geospatial technology learning experiences to K-12 youth and teachers in Florida.

Samantha Yannucci - Urban Planner | KO Consulting, LLC.

Samantha Yannucci holds a master's degree in urban and regional planning and a bachelor's in geography. Her approach to planning is shaped by her experience of living abroad in Europe. As an urban planning consultant, she approaches projects through a lens of human behavior and the lived experience. She emphasizes the importance of human-scaled places and takes pride in empowering the civic commons to take an active role in decision-making processes. Samantha works diligently to ensure a better quality of life for those of generations to come.

Dr. Stacey Brown-Amilian - Professor and Chair | Department of Geography and GIS | Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

Dr. Brown is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Geography & GIS at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is also the Secretary for the Illinois Geographical Society (IGS). Her research interests focus on why some areas are healthier than others, whether that be access to healthy food or proximity to toxic facilities and pollution. She enjoys working with students and has helped 50 students complete their Senior Assignment in order graduate with their bachelor’s degree. She has also chaired or served on 25 graduate committees. Stacey graduated with her Ph.D. in Geography from Oklahoma State University and received her M.A. in Geography from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She was fortunate to receive the 2023 Distinguished Geographer Award from the IGS and has been past-chair of the West Lakes Division of the American Association of Geographers. She loves to camp, hike, spend time with her family and work on either an embroidery or cross-stich project. 

Brett Lucas - Principal Planner and Economic Development Coordinator | Planning Department | City of Cheney, Washington

Brett Lucas is a Principal Planner and Economic Development Coordinator for the City of Cheney, Washington, where he leads the day-to-day activities of the Planning Department.  Prior to this role, Mr. Lucas held planning and geospatial roles with the City of Vancouver, Washington; Alameda County, California; and at the US Geological Survey.   Mr. Lucas is also in adjunct Geography and Urban & Regional Planning Instructor at both Eastern Washington University and American Public University teaching a variety of lower division, upper division, and graduate courses in geography, GIS, location analytics, transportation/logistics, economic development, and planning. Mr. Lucas serves on regional transportation and strategic planning committees in eastern Washington and at Eastern Washington University.  Mr. Lucas also operates a small consulting business preparing retail, real estate, and economic development strategy plans for private sector clients and small cities.  When not working, Mr. Lucas enjoys traveling the backroads of North America, visiting unique landmarks, and interpreting the roadside landscape.  Mr. Lucas holds degrees in geography from Oregon State University and California State University, East Bay.

Michael Ratcliffe - Senior Geographer | Geography Division | U.S. Census Bureau

Michael Ratcliffe is a senior geographer in the Census Bureau’s Geography Division, where he leads activities related to the enterprise-wide Frames Program, which is focused on enhancing linkages between the Census Bureau’s foundational geospatial, business, job, and demographic databases. Prior to this role, he was Assistant Division Chief for Geographic Standards, Criteria, Research, and Quality. Much of his work has focused on statistical geographic area concepts and criteria, including urban and rural classifications, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, and definitions of place. Michael is a member of the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology and co-chairs the Committee’s Geospatial Interest Group. When he is not sitting at a desk, he can be found tending his garden or reading the landscape from the seat of his road bike. Michael holds degrees in geography from the University of Oxford and the University of Maryland. 

Afshin Shayeghi Moghanlou - Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability | University of Oklahoma

Afshin Shayeghi Moghanlou is pursuing his Ph.D. in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma, where he also serves as a Research Assistant. His research focuses on hydrological remote sensing, agricultural water sustainability, and climate change. Before starting his Ph.D., Afshin earned his master’s degree in Water Resources Engineering  from Imam Khomeini International University in Iran. His work focused on Water Resources. His bachelor’s degree is also in Agricultural Engineering-Water, and earned from Mohaghegh Ardabili University.

Afshin has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications, focusing on topics such as the reliability of satellite rainfall estimates, assessing drought impacts on groundwater and agriculture, and evaluating global precipitation estimation products. Afshin has earned Ta Liang Memorial Award from ASPRS Collaborative Scholarships and the Charles Standely Memorial Award for outstanding publication in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability, Robberson travel grant award, Graduate Student Senate travel award, and first place in the GIS Day student poster competition at the University of Oklahoma.  Afshin has applied his expertise in Hydrology and GIS working for PAGA Consultant Company in Iran.

Fahmina Binte Ibrahim - Department of Geography and Environmental Studies | Texas State University

Fahmina Binte Ibrahim is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geographic Information Science at Texas State University, San Marcos. With a background in Disaster Science and Management from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, she has developed strong expertise in GIS and remote sensing tools. Her research interests include spatial analysis, disaster management and risk analysis applications. Her work focuses on addressing real-world challenges through geographic research, particularly in disaster response.

She has presented her research at various conferences, including the Southwest Division of the American Association of Geographers and the American Geophysical Union. She is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Geophysical Union and the American Association of Geographers. At Texas State University, she serves as the Communications Officer for the Society for Geographic Information Science (SOGIS) and a community organizer for the Graduate Forum, where she focuses on the well-being of graduate students.

Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys volunteering for disaster preparedness campaigns and participating in community service activities. She is very excited to contribute her knowledge and skills to the AGX Board and collaborate with fellow members to advance the application of geographic insights and analysis.

Amanda Barney - Department of Geography and Environmental Studies | Texas State University

Amanda leads an exciting life full of love, adventure, and education. She is raising and homeschooling two intelligent, wild, and happy girls, and she teaches once a week at their homeschool co-op. Last year, she taught chemistry, and this fall, she will teach anatomy to children between ages 8 and 13. She is also a full-time caregiver for my mother who has Parkinson’s Disease. Her health journey has been long and difficult, but Amanda has cared for her for nearly 10 years now. She also has two fur babies, and she enjoys spoiling them with affection and good food.
Amanda is also dedicated to her own education and personal development. She is working to complete her master’s degree at Texas State University and plans to continue my education to receive a PhD in Geography. She is a physical scientist first and foremost, and her current research focuses on soil geochemistry, fluvial geomorphology, and long term paleoenvironmental change. She is fascinated by the way exposed soils tell us stories about past climates, and she wants to use those stories to predict future climate changes. However, she is also intrigued by the effects of soil health on human nutrition and nutritional deficiencies.
Throughout her time at the university, she has presided over Gamma Theta Upsilon (an international geographical honor society) and volunteered at numerous community and university events. Her hard work over the past few years was reflected in the spring of 2024 when she received the Outstanding Graduate Student award from her department for her service both at the university and in my community, and for her dedication to her family and her education. In addition, she received the Outstanding Service to GTU award for her service to the geographical honor society. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, kayaking, hiking, sewing, exploring national parks, learning about fitness and nutrition, and volunteering at community and university events.

Elizabeth Skender - Department of Urban Studies | University of Pittsburgh

Elizabeth Skender is pursuing a bachelor’s in arts in Urban Studies, a Certificate in GIS, and a minor in Economics. As President of the Urban Studies Honor Society at the University of Pittsburgh, she leads and organizes events, including industry networking sessions and community gatherings like coffee meetups with the local GIS community. Additionally, she is an active member of the Urban Planning Club and an undergraduate teacher’s assistant for Introduction to GIS and Applied GIS. 
She holds multiple certificates from the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) regarding their suite of applications and is involved with various geospatial communities, such as Women+ in Geospatial and Women in GIS.
She has researched the accessibility of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in the state of Pennsylvania and simulated the associated impact of changing the dispensing rules of PrEP. She presented this research at AGX in 2023, winning the Best Paper for Communication and Storytelling. Furthermore, she has mapped grave sites at the Homestead Cemetery with Trimble technology to assist in creating an updated management system. Lastly, she has researched the correlation between Del Webb retirement communities and their accessibility to significant cities and their evolving geography from the 1960s to the present. Elizabeth’s work contributes to broadening the appeal of GIS to younger audiences. 
Her practical experience includes working with the City of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny County Airport Authority on significant projects such as the City’s Street Light Renovation Project and the Terminal Modernization Project at Pittsburgh International Airport