Meet our Advisors: Jing Liu

Jing Liu is a Geography Professor teaching a host of classes that include Physical Geography and GIS (Geographic Information Science) at Santa Monica College. Jing earned her Bachelor’s degree in Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China in 2007 and her Master’s degree in Beijing Normal University and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China in 2010. She then traveled across the Pacific Ocean to the United States and earned her PhD from the Department of Geography at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2017.

Her research interests include digital soil mapping, citizen science, and spatial analysis. In her classes, she uses various spatial technologies to teach topics in Physical Geography, Environmental Study/Science, and Climate Change. Below are a few examples:

• Using PurpleAir to guide students to explore the air pollution issues in different areas in Los Angeles, and lead students to critically think and discuss topics in Environmental Justice. 
• Using Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS Online to guide students to explore the spatial variation of ground-surface temperature in Los Angeles, and lead students to find the environmental factors that may contribute to the differences. Students will also discuss potential solutions that can help solve the Urban Heat Island Inequity problems.   Last year, Jing advised CASM’s youth Climate Corps on using data to generate urban heat island maps.
• Collaborating with Adventure Scientists Organization on the Global Microplastics Initiative Project to map and to analyze the hot spots of micro-plastic pollution in East-Pacific and US water bodies. 
• Use SurgingSeas to guide students to explore the risks brought by the rising sea-level and the impacts on coastal cities
• Use Web Maps and Apps to guide students to explore and think how location intelligence can play a role in combating various climate crisis