ABOUT

I’m a geospatial data scientist with 7+ years’ experience in advanced remote sensing, LiDAR, GIS and imaging processing. I’m passionate about using geospatial technologies to solve real-world environmental challenges and bring geospatial insight into scalable, cloud-based solutions. 

I recently completed a Ph.D. in Geography with a certificate in GIS and Spatial Analysis, where I developed data-driven methods to quantify forest canopy complexity and ecosystem processes using LiDAR and hyperspectral imagery. Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher applying machine learning and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to map forest canopy structure and leaf traits, and to understand their interactions with climate across diverse U.S. forest sites. I am committed to continuously expanding my skill set to deliver high-impact, data-driven environmental research.

I specialize in:
· Large-scale environmental data integration
· LiDAR and multi-/hyper-spectral image analysis
· GIS-based decision support tools for ecology and sustainability
· Cloud-based spatial analytics​
 
Explore my portfolio of research projects, spatial analysis/tools, and data products built with Python, R, GEE, and cloud platforms.

Feel free to reach out for collaborations, data-driven projects, or coffee chats!

Yiting Fan

Education

PhD​

Geography

West Virginia University

MSc

Applied GIS & Remote Sensing

University of Southampton

BSc

GIS

Liaoning Normal University

Skills

%
R
%
ArcGIS Software suite
%
Data Analysis & visualization
%
Python
%
Google Earth Engine
%
Machine Learning

My Experience

2025 – Present

University of Virginia

Post-doctoral Researcher

Led a team of four to collect terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) data across forest sites and built ArcGIS tools to support teamwork. Currently working on tree segmentation and large-scale forest traits mapping with machine learning.

2019 – 2024

West Virginia University

Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant

Led three NSF-funded projects using remote sensing to study forest structure and function. Built R and Python tools for processing and analyzing LiDAR and hyperspectral data, and used ArcGIS to develop spatial analysis tools.

2020

West Virginia GIS Technical Center

GIS Intern

Completed a GIS project on floodplain monitoring and prediction using ArcGIS Pro and Online, involving digitization, geocoding, QA/QC, mapping of surface flooding features, and building relational database of structures within the floodplain.

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