I've always been fascinated by the power of geospatial technology to solve real-world problems.
As a master’s student in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at the University of Queensland, I saw an opportunity to put my specialised experience into practise by mapping “urban heat islands” in cities across the globe.
Caused by heat being trapped in urbanised areas, heat islands result in higher temperatures in cities compared to rural and less built-up areas. Understanding the location and severity of these islands is key, as they can magnify any external temperature changes to dangerous levels.
To map these islands, I gathered spatial data for 216 global cities from diverse sources and used ArcGIS Pro and Python for the data pre-processing, integration and analysis. I then applied machine learning techniques to develop a model predicting urban heat island intensity for each city, which I paired with an interactive ArcGIS dashboard to make the findings more user-friendly and understandable.
Little did I know that this research would lead to a significant milestone on my path to becoming a geospatial professional.
In 2024, I won the Esri Young Scholar Award for this project. In addition to my work being showcased at the Esri User Conference in San Diego alongside contributions from GIS professionals around the world, I was also offered an opportunity to do a paid internship with Esri Australia.
After an internal rotation program, I emerged with a more holistic view of how GIS technology is applied across various business functions and project stages.
From the cloud-hosting services to planning geospatial solutions and from enhancing user experiences through digital programs to witnessing the implementation of GIS projects, my experience provided a well-rounded view of the application of GIS across business functions and project stages.
Following my internship, I joined Esri Australia's team of GIS consultant to continue applying my skillset to complex spatial challenges.
The growth opportunities within my team are exciting, and reflecting on my journey so far — from the late nights working on my research to the invaluable experiences during my internship — I’m excited for the future.
The Esri Young Scholar Award has been more than just recognition of my work; it has been a catalyst for my personal growth, learning and connection. Without a doubt, it has reinforced my passion for the significant impact GIS can make on our world.
Are you the next Esri Young Scholar? Learn more here.
