Yichun Xie is a professor in the Department of Geography and Geology and founding director of the Institute of Geospatial Research and Education at Eastern Michigan University. His research interests include geographic information science, coupled human-nature systems, urban modeling, remote sensing, and spatial statistics. Dr. Xie has authored and edited 15 books and journal special issues and published over 150 research papers. He has served as principal and co-principal investigators over 50 large research projects sponsored by NSF, NASA, DOC, NOAA, USEPA, USACE, and USGS.