Charlie Mix and Nyssa Hunt of the UTC Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science. Photos by Angela Foster.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has announced the creation of the Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science (CAGDS), an interdisciplinary research hub housed within the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.
Building on the legacy of the long-standing Interdisciplinary Geospatial Technology Lab (IGTLab), the center will advance applied geospatial research, education and community partnerships.
“My own research background as a faculty member was in geospatial data science, image processing and remote sensing, so I recognize what a gem this center is. We have world-class researchers whose work has already been felt across the region,” said UTC Chancellor Lori Bruce. “In my first weeks on the job, community members repeatedly have shared how the GIS lab helped them move important projects forward with timely, practical solutions. Elevating that work from a lab to a center gives it the recognition it deserves—regionally and nationally—and reflects the impact UTC research is having every day.”
“The Center for Applied Geospatial Data Science greatly supports UTC’s role as a driver of regional innovation,” said UTC Vice Chancellor for Research Reinhold Mann. “The center is an important asset for UTC and our stakeholders and collaborators as we address complex challenges that call for geospatial data capture and analytics.”
Led by GIS Director Charlie Mix and Assistant GIS Director Nyssa Hunt, the CAGDS will expand opportunities for UTC researchers to apply geospatial data science across disciplines while supporting regional partners with data-driven solutions.
“Geospatial data science leverages the universal language of geography, allowing us to interpret the past, understand the present and plan for a better future,” Mix said. “Through CAGDS, we aim to expand opportunities for students, faculty and staff to learn and use in-demand geospatial technology and for our regional partners to harness geospatial information for real-world insights and decision making.”
For nearly three decades, UTC has been a leader in geospatial information innovation. Since launching its first GIS lab in 1995, faculty and staff have provided expertise in GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis and cartography.
The IGTLab and its students have supported dozens of projects with local, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and multidisciplinary campus researchers. Notable efforts have included analyzing Chattanooga’s urban tree canopy, developing conservation plans for regional organizations and supporting outdoor recreation initiatives, community prosperity and public health projects.
“The foundation of our work remains the same: empowering students, supporting research and enhancing community decision-making with accessible tools,” Hunt said. “With CAGDS, we are poised to serve in an even greater capacity.”
The new center will provide campus and community partners with technical workshops, access to cutting-edge GIS software and cloud-based platforms such as ArcGIS Online, data hosting services and paid student positions through GIS Fellows programs. By integrating applied teaching, hands-on training and outreach, the CAGDS reflects UTC’s commitment to advancing geospatial technology for both academic and community impact.
“Geospatial data science is something that can be leveraged by all departments on campus for teaching and research and is a key tool for solving society’s greatest challenges, and it is easier than ever to access,” Mix said.
