Baoyi Zhang, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the School of Geoscience and Info‑Physics, Central South University. He earned his Ph.D. in GIS from China University of Geosciences, Wuhan (2007), his M.Sc. in Geophysics from the China Earthquake Administration (2004), and his B.S. in Geology from Jilin University (2001). Prof. Zhang’s research focuses on geoscience big‑data mining and machine‑learning, 3D geological modeling, and GIS application engineering. He has co‑authored four monographs and textbooks, holds two authorized invention patent and one software copyright, and has published over 40 papers—more than 20 of which are SCI/EI‑indexed as first or corresponding author. He is a Member of the Digital Energy Committee of the International Society for Digital Earth’s China National Committee, and a Member of the Information Committee of the Hunan Geological Society. His recognitions include multiple “Excellent Instructor” awards in the ESRI Cup, MapGIS Cup, and SUPERMAP Cup student GIS competitions, and the “GIS Rising Star” Award at the 2014 National University GIS Forum.