Faculty Mentor: Dr. Hsiang-te Kung

Faculty Mentor's Department: Department of Earth Sciences - Geography

Telephone Number and/or E-mail: 678-4538; hkung@memphis.edu

Project Description: To provide students with some practical experiences of analyzing the physical environment of the metropolitan area, utilizing some of the methods, techniques, and concepts (knowledge) learned in Geography 4/6201. The selected topic is designed to study the interaction between urbanization and physical environment within the metropolitan area. Suggested topics for research project are:

• Effects of environmental limitation or hazards on urban growth. Mitigation of natural hazards in Tennessee (by counties or regions).
• Effects of urbanization on micro-cimate, i.e., urban heart island, precipitation, fog, cloud cover, radiation, etc.
• Environmental impacts of casino business in Tunica County and the vicinity areas (land uses, transportation, water quality, etc).
• A survey of floodplain land use.
• Water supply and demand problems in urban areas.
• Potential groundwater pollution from illegal dumps and sanitary landfills.
• Noise pollution in urban settings.
• Air pollution problems in the urban area.
• Effects of urbanization on water quantity (flood and drought) and quality problems.
• Commercial revitalization and vacant land in the Memphis area.
• Solid Waste Management: Issues and Options.
• Environmental Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation from Power
  (Transmission) Lines.
• Environmental justice
• Reelfoot Lake area: erosion, sedimentation, and eutrophication problems
  
  
  

Requirements for Student Applicants: Junior or Senior with some geography/environment background.

Starting Date: Fall 2009

Method of Compensation ( Volunteer, Academic Credit, or Stipend): Stipend

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Esra Ozdenerol

Faculty Mentor's Department: Earth Sciences

Email: eozdenrl@memphis.edu

Phone: 678-2787

Project Description: 1) West Nile Virus in Shelby County: I use GIS and Remote sensing techniques to explore the mosquito habitats and clustering analysis where the infected mosquitoes are and the effected human cases. I am working with the Shelby County Health Department on developing a model to lower the amount of cases in our county and explore ways how to do better intervention. 2) Low birth weight and infant mortality: Birth and death records from the Tennessee Department of Health are obtained. I am applying clustering analysis techniques to find out where the most vulnerable places are in Shelby County.

Requirements: Computer knowledge. GIS techniques a plus, but not required. I also prefer web and programming skills, if any.

Starting Date: At student's convenience.

Compensation: Right now, I do not have funding, but it is on its way. So I can say voluntary—soon to be funded.