Geophysical and Human-Induced Hazards and the Utility of Geographic Information Systems

少数民族机构研究改进方案的目的是增加少数民族对科学和工程研究的参与。该计划提供支持，以加强有大量少数民族学生入学的机构的研究环境和能力。符合条件的机构还必须有科学或工程方面的研究生课程。北卡罗来纳中央大学的首席研究员将利用RIMI的支持来研究地球物理和人为危害，以及如何利用地理信息系统（GIS）来确定此类干扰的原因、后果、预防和缓解。调查人员将分析降雨模式、地表温度波动、洪水以及影响地下水化学的因素。此外，研究将审查灾害的间接社会和经济影响，以及当这些事件发生时，人类可以使用什么机制来应对。该项目将有助于解决一个城市机构的研究目标，该机构正试图建立其科学研究和教育基地。首席研究员是一位训练有素的地理学家，经常在期刊上发表文章。少数民族教师和学生将通过使用GIS和现代仪器进行有价值的研究来加强他们的研究能力。

The Research Improvement in Minority Institutions (RIMI) program was designed to increase the participation of minorities in scientific and engineering research. The program provides support to strengthen the research environments and capabilities of institutions that have substantial minority student enrollments. Eligible institutions must also have graduate programs in science or programs in engineering. The principal investigator at North Carolina Central University will use RIMI support to study geophysical and manmade hazards and how geographic information systems (GIS) may be utilized to determine the causes, consequences, prevention, and mitigation of such disturbances. Investigators will analyze rainfall patterns, flucitations in surface temperatures, flooding, and factors that affect ground water chemistry. In addition, studies will examine the indirect social and economic effects of hazards and what mechanisms may be used by humans to cope when these events occur. This project will help address the research goal of an urban institution that is attempting to build its research and education base in the sciences. The principal investigator is a well-trained geographer who publishes regularly in refereed journals. Minority faculty and students will have their research capabilities strengthened by their performance of meritorious research using GIS and modern instrumentation.