MS in Geographic Information Science (MS GIS)
Why did you choose graduate school at IUPUI?
After completing my undergraduate degree in Geomatics Engineering in Nepal, I realized that a graduate program in Geographic Information Science (GIS) and Remote Sensing would provide me with the technical knowledge and skills required for real-world application, which is an area that interests me. This led me to IUPUI. The IUPUI MS GIS graduate program has provided me with both a positive learning environment and the opportunity to work with excellent faculty members whose research interests dovetail with mine. I also appreciate the diverse population of students and researchers at IUPUI, who represent countries from around the world. In addition to acquiring a quality education, I get the chance to meet and interact with people from different places and learn about their cultures, which promotes cross-cultural understanding.
What has been your favorite academic accomplishment since you’ve been here?
I joined the MS GIS program at IUPUI in fall 2019. Since then, I’ve benefitted from new experiences, a new life in a new country, and the opportunity to study in an intellectually- charged environment, which has been amazing. The rigorous and galvanizing GIS curriculum has allowed me to explore cutting-edge ideas for solving real-world problems. I am also delighted to have received a 2020 IndianaView Student Scholarship, given to undergraduate and graduate students whose research incorporates remote sensing or other geospatial technologies. The scholarship supports my thesis research and will help fund travel expenses to present my research findings at a future conference.
What do you enjoy most about life in Indianapolis?
One of the things I like about Indianapolis is that it offers both city and country living, which doesn’t require much travel. I enjoy going on a bike ride every weekend on different trails, exploring different places, experiencing the variety of food the city has to offer, and trying to connect with people, both professionally and personally. I’m outgoing, and I find the people in Indianapolis to be very friendly. Walking through the Indianapolis Zoo, on the Canal, and visiting the museums and downtown monuments is always relaxing and has been my regular routine.
Please provide some details about your work/research as a graduate student and/or any activities you are involved in.
Currently, I am working on a project exploring methods for local climate zone classification in Indianapolis under the supervision of my faculty advisor, Dr. Jeffrey Wilson. The project is associated with the broader IU Grand Challenge project entitled “Prepared for Environmental Change.” My research projects and interests are mainly focused on understanding and classifying the urban morphology and biophysical characteristics of Indianapolis that affect the urban climatology, using GIS-based methods and some forms of Artificial Intelligence.