About

Dr. Darren M. Ruddell is a Professor (Teaching) and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Southern California’s Spatial Sciences Institute where he also serves as Co-director of the Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence (HSGI) Lab.

A geographer by training, Ruddell uses geospatial technologies to investigate and advance solutions to issues of human safety and security across disparate settings. Ruddell’s research efforts include funding and/or collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the City of Phoenix, among others.

Dr. Diana Ter-Ghazaryan is a multidisciplinary scholar with 15 years of experience in applications of geospatial analysis across disciplines. Her research projects have been funded by numerous intramural and extramural sources, including the Arthur and Alice Adams Charitable Foundation, Florida Forest Service, NEH and NSF. Her current research focuses on using geospatial approaches to investigate geopolitics in the South Caucasus.

Dr. Yi Qi has over ten years of experience in remote sensing (satellite, aircraft, UAV, and in situ sensor), artificial intelligence, spatial data science, and physical geography. His research interests center on innovating the use of geospatial technology to elevate sustainability and health in natural ecosystem and human society.

He has been awarded grants by federal/state agencies and private foundations including USDA, NASA, NSF, and the Bezos Earth Foundations among others. At the HSGI lab, he serves as a principal investigator to enhance the research and teaching capacity, specifically in the applications of remote sensing and AI in GEOINT.

I’m a Global Geodesign major who would like to create systems that will enable humanity to live sustainably within the environment.

As a major in International Relations, I developed a commitment to issues of human security and geospatial intelligence through my participation in Delta Phi Epsilon, the foreign service professional fraternity dedicated to international humanitarian crises, and the USC Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence. I will be continuing my studies in the USC M.A. in Global Security Studies program.

I am a B.S. Geodesign and M.S. Spatial Data Science student from Los Angeles, CA with an interest in remote sensing and aerial imagery. My research passions include sustainability developments and studying the homeless populations and trends within the city of Los Angeles.

With my major in Political Science and minor in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence, I am passionate about opportunities to work within the intelligence community.

I am a Public Policy major passionate about combining my experiences in spatial and policy analysis and computer science to pursue a career in transportation planning, specifically promoting community and economic development.

I am majoring in International Relations with a double minor in Human Security & Geospatial Intelligence and Computer Science. I am a member of the USC Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence and I am passionate about examining foreign policy and national security from geopolitical and technological perspectives.