UMD- Department of Geographical Sciences-Students & Alumni

10/15/2026

🗺️ What if you could map out the Maryland of your dreams?

Would you have a DMV Disney and bullet trains? A network of small farms, local shops and bike paths?

As part of , GEOG invited participants to imagine the possibilities during Maryland 2050: Design the Future You Want to Live In.

Led by senior lecturer Naijun Zhou, the Sept. 22 activity gave participants the opportunity to experiment with GIS tools, practice mapping skills and explore different approaches to mapmaking, from hand-drawn maps to digital mapping platforms.

Some imagined fantastical futures for Maryland, while others explored ideas for more sustainable and connected communities. Participants also used the activity to develop GIS skills for professional projects.

The event embraced Henson Week’s themes of Create, Make and Play, celebrating creativity, experimentation and learning by doing in honor of Jim Henson’s 90th birthday.

What would your dream Maryland look like?

Read more and check out the resulting maps: https://geog.umd.edu/featured-content/mapping-maryland-henson-week-way

10/14/2026

🌎 Did you know our department has 40 faculty specialists? Their work spans a wide range of responsibilities, from administrative support to research.

Meet David Minor, who has been part of the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation ( ) since 2017. He manages forest data from around the world to help validate satellite-based forest biomass models.

David also serves as chair of the Faculty Specialist Committee, helping colleagues navigate policies, deadlines and opportunities for advancement.

What does he enjoy most about his work? Getting a glimpse of forests around the world through data, even when he can’t visit them himself. 🌳

Get to know David in our latest Quick Chat: https://geog.umd.edu/profile-showcase/david-minor-senior-faculty-specialist

10/13/2026

🎓 GEOG Ph.D students: Join us on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 3:30 p.m. via Zoom for a seminar hosted by Rachel Haber, Assistant Director of Academic Programs.

She will be walking through the official procedures and requirements for the Ph.D. dissertation proposal defense, followed by a Q&A to answer any specific questions you have as you prepare.

This session is highly recommended for all Ph.D. candidates planning to present their proposal in the near future!

📍 Location: Zoom (Access details on the GEOG Department Calendar)
🗓 When: Thursday, Oct. 15 | 3:30 p.m.
🔗 https://geog.umd.edu/event/seminar-dissertation-proposal-defense-procedures

10/09/2026

🗓️ Mark your calendars for the UMD Environmental & GIS Career Fair 🌎

Attend this recruiting and networking event on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in Stamp to meet employers from public agencies, private companies and nonprofit organizations.

All UMD students, alumni and degree levels are welcome!

This event will be especially valuable for those studying or interested in Geography, Geospatial Data Science, Environmental Science and Policy, Remote Sensing, and Environmental Science and Technology.

Sponsored by the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland Feller Center, the Department of Geographical Sciences, the University Career Center, and the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

More information: https://fellercenter.umd.edu/geog-fair

10/08/2026

What brings someone back to UMD after graduating? For Joseph Massaro ’24, it was a combination of his interest in geography, the community he found here and a desire to keep building his skills.

As an undergraduate, Massaro helped revive the Geography Club with fellow student Teddy Jorgensen. Together, they rebuilt the organization after it became inactive during the COVID-19 pandemic. By fall 2024, the club was hosting GeoGuessr tournaments, trivia, game nights and other events.

After graduating in December 2024, Massaro returned to UMD for a master’s in geospatial intelligence while working full time.

His return came during a difficult year. In fall 2025, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy while continuing his graduate studies. With support from his professors and advisor, he was able to keep working toward his degree.

Today, Massaro works as a geospatial data scientist and is interested in remote sensing, drone imagery, lidar and machine learning.

“I have directly applied things I’ve learned in class already,” he said. He pointed to GEOG 685: Machine Learning and Data Mining as the course he has applied most directly, along with GEOG 688I: Imagery Intelligence.

Read more about Massaro’s return to UMD, his experience rebuilding the Geography Club and what’s next for his career:
https://geog.umd.edu/profile-showcase/joseph-massaro-ensp-land-use-gis-24-ms-geoint-27

10/07/2026

🌎 GEOG Alumni: Please consider sharing your career experience with current students at the BSOS Career Exploration & Networking Mixer on Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 5–7 p.m. at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Alumni volunteers will have the opportunity to talk with students about their career paths, share how they’ve applied their education and offer insights into working in a range of fields.

The event will include informal networking and small-group roundtable conversations with students and fellow alumni.

Interested in volunteering? Register here: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_bQ2HD4G5ng34CYS

10/06/2026

☕️ Still time to RSVP!

Join GEOG’s new graduate director, Professor Kathleen Stewart, for an informal coffee chat and Q&A.

GEOG Ph.D. and MS/BS students are invited to stop by, ask questions, share thoughts and get to know Dr. Stewart in a relaxed setting.

📅 Thursday, Oct. 22
🕝 2:30 p.m.
📍 River Road 325

Come with your questions or just grab a coffee and say hello!

RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWtceWw57ZDJscStbCl5WbY2J0cHlwR5p8GzH_9sHlCxJebA/viewform

10/05/2026

🗓️ Ph.D. students are encouraged to attend a seminar at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, with Assistant Director of Academic Programs Rachel Haber on Ph.D. dissertation defenses.

The seminar will cover key policies and procedures, including defense requirements, required forms, requests for remote defenses and potential outcomes. Haber will also answer questions about preparing for a dissertation defense.

The seminar is highly recommended for Ph.D. candidates who plan to defend their dissertations in the near future.

Zoom link is on the Dept. Calendar.

10/02/2026

Congratulations to Assistant Research Professor Abdul Qadir on being selected to receive the 2026 Science for Solutions Award from the American Geophysical Union (AGU)! 🎉

Qadir applies satellite remote sensing and machine learning to agricultural challenges in data-sparse regions, developing timely information that can support food security, agricultural statistics and disaster response.

His research has included monitoring agricultural production in Ukraine during the war and assessing crop impacts following floods in Pakistan. He is also working with partners in Kenya to assess the impacts of drought on maize production.

Qadir will be recognized at the Annual Meeting in December.

🔗 Read more about his research and the award:

Assistant Research Professor Abdul Qadir Receives AGU Science for Solutions Award Breadcrumb Home Featured Content Assistant Research Professor Abdul Qadir Receives AGU Science For Solutions Award Qadir is recognized for applying satellite remote sensing and machine learning to agricultural challeng...

10/01/2026

🎃 The GEOG Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is hosting a Get-Together!

📅 Oct. 29
🕔 5–7 p.m.
📍Room 325 River Road

The event will include free food, pumpkin painting and a costume competition, as well as an opportunity for members of the Department of Geographical Sciences community to learn about the history of Halloween and connect with fellow students and colleagues.

Costumes are encouraged but not required. Attendees may stay for as much of the event as they wish.

RSVP by Oct. 12:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqnD1w19Y0OxJWhOhBCIfbA7vxL9ZHeJNLNMRgbyKIlIV8kQ/viewform