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New geographic lab maps relationships between the environment and the spread of diseases
LSU professor Nina Lam and her group of researchers have recently acquired a new lab for their studies in spatial analysis and geographic information science. The Center for Computation & Technology (CCT) funded the high tech facility that allows researchers to use mapping science to study the earth's geography. The lab's focus is on discovering how a culture's surroundings can have an effect on social problems. Lam's research aims to detect environmental factors that affect health. She studies the geography of areas with possibly dangerous conditions, and uses mapping systems to search for connections between these areas and the health problems of those who live within the region. She has used this type of technology to map cancer mortality rates in China. She then used the maps to find clusters of the disease and show possible problem areas. "Residents in Qidong, China, north of Shanghai, live in poor conditions and drink water from shallow ditches," said Lam. "This area has a very high rate of liver cancer." The researcher is quick to add that although the connection seems apparent, it doesn't always prove that the environment was the cause of the health problems. More research must be done to prove a relationship. Once a relationship between the disease and a geographic condition is proven, environmental change can be pursued.
Another of Lam's projects studied the spread of AIDS in rural America. "You can apply the information any way you like," said Lam. "You could study the low birth weight problem here in Baton Rouge." Changes in the environment can be mapped as well. For example, urban temperature increases could be from pollution, lack of trees, or another factor. Areas such as these can benefit from more trees and lighter colored rooftops. These improvements can save energy for a city. Department of Geography & Anthropology classes have studied these issues of geographic information science and remote sensing since the early 1980s. Students who have studied these issues at LSU are now part of the IT workforce in government agencies, private industry, and academia. Lam proudly recalls the job offers her students have received. "One works for the software company that produces GIS, one went to a NASA consulting company, one is working for a federal agency in D.C., and some went to private companies." Now that the new Spatial Laboratory is available, these courses and instruction are more efficient. The lab, which contains 27 computer stations and a multimedia instructional station, allows, students to explore information online while receiving instructions from their professor.
CCT director Ed Seidel commented on the lab. "The CCT makes it a point to support programs that are using technology in innovative ways. This is especially true for those programs that are interdisciplinary," said Ed Seidel. "Geographic information science is an interdisciplinary form of technology research that can be used to study disaster management, homeland security, economic conditions, and other social problems." Lam agreed that the science was interdisciplinary. She spoke of computer scientists, engineers, anthropologists, and even marketing researchers who have used the technology. "I like to be innovative. I like to look at different areas of importance to society to see how this type of research can be applied," said Lam. Other LSU labs that offer similar equipment are the Computer Mapping Science Laboratory, the Global Laboratory, the Remote Sensing Laboratory, the Cartographic Information Center, and the CADGIS Laboratory that is jointly operated with the College of Art & Design. CCT is funded by the Louisiana Legislature's I.T. Initiative. The center was founded in 2001 to advance education, research, and economic development in Louisiana through the use of information technology. "I'm grateful to CCT to get this spatial lab," said Lam. "We are starting from ground zero, and the students love it. They go to the lab all the time." Contact Jennifer Hughes | LSU
University Relations Related Links Center for Computation & Technology |
"The
new equipment and the new lab have doubled capacity for the students.
Now they don't have to share computers during lab hours," said
Lam.
