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Biography
I am originally from
Burbank, California,
a suburb of Los Angeles, in the San Fernando Valley. After I graduated
from Burbank
High School, I attended college at
California State University, Northridge
where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree
(cum laude) in Earth Science with a Minor
in Geology. The course of study I pursued while at CSUN was very broad
indeed. Earth Science offered me the opportunity to study widely in the
physical sciences. Upon graduation in 1986, I decided to continue to
study at CSUN and in an area that would allow me to study a wide variety
of subjects, Geography.
I developed an interest in urban systems dynamics while in the Master's
program at CSUN. In 1989 I earned my Master's Degree
(with distinction) in
Geography. My 1989 Master's Thesis is titled, "Urban System Development
Trends in the Upper Midwest: 1900-1980." In my thesis, I employ multiple
quantitative techniques of analysis. My interest in urban systems
dynamics carried over to my Doctoral studies at
The Ohio State University.
My 1993 dissertation is titled, "A Spatio-temporo-hierarchical Model of
Urban System Population Dynamics: A Case Study of the Upper Midwest." In
the dissertation I employ Casetti's Expansion Method to redefine a
rank-size model into a 27 parameter equation capable of identifying
spatial, temporal, and hierarchical dimensions of population
redistribution that I use to study the urban system of the Upper
Midwest.
My current research interest involves the quantitative study of racial
segregation. I have recently introduced a new index of isolation, the
Spatial Segregation Index
or SSI. I have
used the measure to demonstrate racial segregation within the United
States, the state of Pennsylvania, and locally. An article based on
this research, "Trends in Racial Segregation in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania: 1980-1990," was published in the Fall 1998 issue of
The Pennsylvania Geographer.
I also presented a poster depicting patterns of
what I call "Extraordinary Segregation" in the Reading, West Reading,
and Wyomissing area at the Fall 1999 meeting of the Delaware Valley
Geographical Association. Most recently I coauthored with T. Victor
Mesev of Florida State University a book chapter titled "Measuring and
Mapping Conflict-Related Deaths and Segregation: Lessons From the
Belfast 'Troubles'" in the book
Geospatial
Technologies and Homeland Security: Research Frontiers and Future
Challenges.
I joined the Department
of Geography at
Kutztown University of PA
in the fall of 1993. I currently teach Introductory Physical Geography,
Urban Geography, and Cartography. I was promoted to the rank of
Associate Professor effective Fall 2001. I have served as Department
Chair since the summer of 2008.
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