Su-Yin Tan, PhD (She/Her)

Dr. Su-Yin Tan is an Associate Professor, Teaching Stream (Professor, Teaching Stream as of July 1, 2026) in Geomatics and Director of the Applied Geomatics Research Laboratory at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. She is jointly appointed to the School of Planning and the Department of Geography and Environmental Management in the Faculty of Environment.

Having joined the University of Waterloo in 2008, she previously received her BSc degree in Environmental Science from the University of Guelph (Canada), MA degree in Geography from Boston University (USA), MSc degree in Environmental Change and Management from Oxford University, and PhD degree in Geography from the University of Cambridge as a distinguished Gates Scholar in the United Kingdom. She was previously a Visiting Fellow at the University of Cambridge, Visiting Researcher at the Environmental Change Institute (ECI), University of Oxford, and member of Christ Church College.

Dr. Tan teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on the theory and application of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. Her specialisation is in geospatial and satellite applications and technologies, focusing on GIS, Earth observation and remote sensing, and spatial data analysis methodologies for tackling environmental and societal problems. Dr. Tan has an interdisciplinary background in the environmental sciences with research interests in the fields of geomatics and spatial data analysis with diverse application areas in urban geography, public health, crime, environmental monitoring, climate change, and sustainability.

Dr. Tan has conducted research projects and field work in Peru, Grenada, France, China, and Malaysia. In the past decade, she has received over 20 awards and scholarships, including a prestigious Presidential University Graduate Fellowship (PUGF) and Overseas Research Scholarship (ORS). Dr. Tan received the prestigious Outstanding Performance Award (OPA) in 2014 and 2022 for exceptional contributions to teaching and scholarship, which recognizes the top professors at the University of Waterloo. Originally born in Edmonton, Alberta and raised in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, she has a diverse international background and built a record of teaching and research excellence in North America, Australia, Asia, South America, and Europe.

Dr. Tan is a Global Faculty Member and former Dean (Vice President of Academics and Research) and Professor of Space Applications at the International Space University (ISU), which is the sole university worldwide devoted entirely to space education since 1987. ISU is a leader in providing interdisciplinary educational programs about space to students and professionals in an international and intercultural environment. Dr. Tan executed the first year of the accredited Master of Science (MSc) in Space Studies program and was instrumental in advancing the university’s strategic goals and educational programs. She has served as Core Chair and/or Space Applications Department Chair for the Space Studies Program (SSP) since 2012, which is located in different geographic locations each year. She is an experienced communicator and educator and has taught space workshops and outreach activities around the world from high school students to executive education and professional mentorship programs.

Dr. Tan is the Founding Director of the Applied Geomatics Research Laboratory (AGRL) based in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo, which is a group consisting of graduate students and research associates from a range of interdisciplinary backgrounds who are committed to developing innovative research in the areas of GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis that address pressing social and environmental issues in Canada and beyond. AGRL focuses on geospatial technologies and techniques, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, data analytics and artificial intelligence, and decision-support systems and their original applications in environmental, physical sciences, climate change, social, and health sciences research at national, regional, and local scales.

• Geographic information systems (GIS) and geomatics

• Remote sensing and satellite applications

• Spatial data analysis and spatial statistics

• Urban geography, environmental criminology, and crime mapping

• Public health and spatial epidemiology

• Environmental monitoring and climate change

• Land cover, vegetation, and climatology

• GIScience education

Dr. Tan's research interests are in the fields of spatial data analysis and geomatics with diverse application areas that span physical and human geography disciplines. She focuses on GIS, Earth observation and remote sensing, and spatial data analysis methodologies for tackling environmental and societal problems. Dr. Tan has an interdisciplinary background in the environmental sciences with research interests in diverse application areas, such as urban geography, public health, crime, environmental monitoring, climate change, and sustainability. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on the theory and application of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. Current research projects involve diverse applications, including exploring threshold concepts and teaching in the GISciences, crime mapping in Toronto and the Kitchener-Waterloo region, and remote sensing for examining land use and biogeophysical patterns, such as how land cover and ecosystem properties are affected by surface climate and weather systems.

Previous projects have included studying nitrogen uptake in montane forests of the Andes (Peru) and a NASA-funded project exploring the application of GIS and data mining techniques for understanding high dimensional remotely sensed images and climate data. Dr. Tan's PhD research at the University of Cambridge (UK) focused on developing similar spatial data analysis methodologies from an urban geography perspective, exploring the links between public health and crime, a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has a keen interest in continuing research in the related areas of conservation science and environmental health while focusing on the application of statistical tools and geographic information technologies.

• 2008, Ph.D. Geography, University of Cambridge, UK

• 2004, M.Sc. Environmental Change and Management, University of Oxford, UK

• 2003, M.A. Geography, Boston University, USA

• 2001, B.Sc. (Hons) Environmental Science, University of Guelph, Canada

• 2024 Nominated for the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Frank J. Malina Astronautics Medal

• 2023 Faculty of Environment Service Award, University of Waterloo, Canada

• 2023 Outstanding Performance Award (OPA), Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo

• 2022 Nominated for the Distinguished Teacher Award (DTA), University of Waterloo

• 2020-2022 University Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo

• 2017-2019 University Teaching Fellow, International Education and Learning Activities, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo

• 2015 & 2016 Visiting Academic, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom

• 2015 Visiting Fellowship Award, Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

• 2014 Outstanding Performance Award (OPA), University of Waterloo, Canada

• 2008-2009 Conservation International Consultancy Project Award, United Kingdom

• 2008 Abbey Santander Research Award, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

• 2008 Research Travel Award, Christ Church College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

• 2007-2008 Hugh Pilkington Scholarship, Christ Church College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

• 2004-2008 Gates Cambridge Scholarship, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

• 2004-2008 Overseas Research Scholarship (ORS), University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

• 2003 Canadian Foundation for the International Space University (CFISU) Scholarship, Canada

• 2012-present Research Group Director, Applied Geomatics Research Laboratory (AGRL), University of Waterloo

• 2023-present Member, Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) Academic Freedom & Tenure (AF&T) Committee

• 2025-2027 Elected Faculty-at-Large Representative, University of Waterloo Senate

• 2023 Member, University of Waterloo Faculty Relations Committee (FRC)

• 2023 Member, Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW) Executive Committee

• 2020-2022 ENV Representative, Complementary Teaching Assessment Project Team (CTAPT)

• 2019-2023 Board Director, Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW)

• 2019-2023 Chair, Lecturers Committee, Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW)

• 2017-2022 Teaching Fellow (Associate Dean of Teaching), Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo

• 2015-2023 ENV Representative, Lecturers Committee, Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW)

• 2015-2018 Elected Member, Status of Women & Equity Committee (SEAC) (renamed Equity Committee), Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW)

• 2014-2016 Associate Director, Aviation Program, Faculty of Environment & Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo

• 2013-present Global Faculty, College of Teachers, International Space University, France

• 2022-2024 Chair, ISU Campus Climate Committee (CCC) (previously known as the “Maintaining a Safe and Respectful Working and Learning Environment” (MSRWLE) Committee), International Space University, France

• 2023-2024 Dean and Vice President of Academics and Research, International Space University, France

• 2023-2024 Professor of Earth Observation and Sustainable Development, International Space University, France

• 2023-2024 Acting Director, Masters of Space Studies Program, International Space University, France

• 2011-2024 Chair, Space Studies Program (SSP), Space Applications Department and/or Core Lectures, International Space University, France

• 2021-2023 Elected Member (1st term), Academic Council, International Space University, France

• 2014-2020 Elected Member (two full terms), Academic Council, International Space University, France

• 2015-2017 Chair, Academic Council, International Space University, France

• 2015-2017 Member, Research Steering Committee, International Space University, France

• May-Sep, 2015 Visiting Fellow, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

• 2007-2008 Visiting Researcher (GIS & Remote Sensing), Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, United Kingdom

• GEOG 181 - Designing Effective Maps
  • Taught in 2025
• GEOG 207 - Climate Change Fundamentals
  • Taught in 2025
• GEOG 281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026
• GEOG 481 - Geographic Information Systems Project
  • Taught in 2026
• GEOG 607 - Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
  • Taught in 2021, 2025
• PLAN 281 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026
• PLAN 474 - Special Topics in Planning
  • Taught in 2022
• PLAN 481 - Geographic Information Systems Project
  • Taught in 2026

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• Cai, R. and Tan, S-Y., 2026. Neighborhood safety in a university town: Linking studentification to crime and disorder. Journal of Criminal Justice, Volume 104, 102635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2026.102635

• Ye, L. and Tan, S-Y., 2026. 3D GIS modelling of road and building material stocks: A case study of Grenada. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 225, 108605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108605

• Cai, R. and Tan, S-Y., 2025. Exploring the relationship between income inequality and crime in Toronto using frequentist and Bayesian models: Examining different crime types and spatial scales. Environment and Planning B: Urban Analytics and City Science, 0(0). https:/doi.org/10.1177/23998083241311969

• Cai, R. and Tan, S-Y. , 2024. Are there non-business days for crime? A small-area Bayesian spatiotemporal analysis of crime patterns. Deviant Behavior, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2024.2387659

• Chu, S.H.Y., Tan, S-Y., and Mortsch, L., 2020. Social resilience to flooding in Vancouver: The issue of scale, Environmental Hazards, 400-415. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477891.2020.1834345

• Bradshaw, J., Jit Singh, S., Tan, S.-Y. Fishman, T., and Pott, K., 2020. GIS-based Material Stock Analysis (MSA) of climate vulnerabilities to the tourism industry in Antigua and Barbuda. Sustainability, 12, 8090. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12198090

• Tan, S-Y., 2020. Remote Sensing Applications and Innovations via Small Satellite Constellations. In: Pelton J., Madry S. (eds) Handbook of Small Satellites. New York: Springer.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20707-6_44-1

• Symmes, R., Fishman, T., Telesford, J., Tan, S-Y., Kroon, K., and Singh, S.J., 2019. The weight of islands: A GIS-based material stock analysis for Grenada in the context of extreme weather and climate change. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.12853

• Tan, S-Y., and Haining, R., 2016. Crime victimization and the implications for individual health and wellbeing: A Sheffield case study. Social Science and Medicine, 167: 128-139.

• Tan, S-Y., 2016. Remote Sensing and Earth Observation. In: International Study on Global Space Governance, ed. J. Pelton and R. Jakhu. New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54364-2

• Tan, S-Y., 2016. New Developments in Hyperspectral Remote Sensing. In: Handbook of Satellite Applications, Second Edition, ed. J. Pelton. New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-23386-4

• Tan, S-Y., 2015. NOAA Satellites and Solar Backscatter Ultra Violet (SBUV) Subsystems. In: Handbook of Cosmic Hazards and Planetary Defense, ed. J. Pelton and F. Allahdadi. New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03952-7_31

• Tan, S-Y., 2015. Dashboard Display of Solar Weather. In: Handbook of Cosmic Hazards and Planetary Defense, ed. J. Pelton and F. Allahdadi. New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03952-7_32

• Tan, S-Y., 2014. Meteorological Satellite Systems, New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9420-1

• Fisher, J.B., Malhi, Y., Fisher, R.A., Tan, S.-Y., Sitch, S., and Huntingford, C., 2010. Carbon cost of plant nitrogen acquisition: A mechanistic, globally-applicable model of plant nitrogen uptake, retranslocation and fixation. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 24: GB1014, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GB003621.

• Fisher, J.B., Malhi, Y., Fisher, R.A., Tan, S.-Y., Sitch, S., and Huntingford, C., 2010. Carbon cost of plant nitrogen acquisition: A mechanistic, globally-applicable model of plant nitrogen uptake, retranslocation and fixation. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 24: GB1014, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GB003621.

• Tan, S-Y., 2007. The influence of temperature and precipitation climate regimes on vegetation dynamics in the U.S. Great Plains: a satellite bioclimatology case study. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 28 (22): 4947-4966.

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