Professor Spotlight Professor Graham D. Rowles is a social geographer with an interest in the humanistic tradition and researches the geography of aging and the aged... (read more)
PEOPLE IN UK GEOGRAPHY :: FACULTY :: STAFF :: GRADUATE STUDENTS :: ALUMNI

John Benitez (advisor: Schein)
M.A. Geography, Arizona State University, 2002
B.S. Geography, Texas State University, 2000
cultural, ethnic, and religious geographies and landscapes
email: john.benitez@uky.edu

Patrick Bigger (Advisors: Roberts and Robertson)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky, 2009
B.A. Geography, University of Arizona, 2005
environmental commodities, housing markets, carbon trading, finance geography, political ecology
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: patrick.bigger@uky.edu

Chris Blackden (advisor: Roberts)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
B.A. Geography and Economics, University of South Maine
state theory, political economy, global governance institutions, theories of power
1133 Patterson Office Tower

Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: rubinfarr@hotmail.com

Benjamin Blandford (advisor: Schein)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
B.A. Geography and Sociology, University of Kentucky
place, cultural movements, public space, identity and representation
email: benjamin.blandford@uky.edu

Andrew Boulton (advisor: Zook)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
B.Sc. Geography, University of Bristol
geopolitics of development, neogeography/geoweb, knowledge economy and world cities
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: andrew.boulton@uky.edu

Tim Brock (advisor: Wood)
M.A. Geography, University of Kansas
B.A. Anthropology, Georgia Southern University
urban geography, economic geography, transportation geography, political economy and mobilities

Kentucky Transportation Center
C-240G Raymond Building
Tel: (859) 257-7517 
email: tim.brock@uky.edu

Jay Christian (advisor: Shannon)
M.P.H. Epidemiology, University of Kentucky
B.A. Anthropology and Russian Studies,
Washington University-St. Louis
health geography, spatial statistics, GIS, urban planning and design, transportation
411 Bradley Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-8981
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: jay.christian@gmail.com

Ryan Cooper (advisor: DGS)
M.A. West European Studies, Indiana University
B.A. Geography and German, Ball State University
critical/qualitative GIS and geovisualization, cultural and political geography
3 Miller Hall
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: ryancooper729@gmail.com

Eric Coy (advisor: DGS)
B.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
economic and political geography
1422 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6956
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: emcoy2@uky.edu

Austin Crane (advisor: DGS)
B.A. Russian Language, Literature and Culture,
University of South Carolina
B.A. Economics, University of South Carolina
development, economic geography
1422 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6956
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: crane.austin@gmail.com

Hugh Deaner (advisor: Wood)
M.R.P. and M.B.A., UNC Chapel Hill, 1996
B.A. Biology, Grinnell College, 1983
Political economy, cultural landscapes, political ecology
1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: hugh.deaner@uky.edu

Jidan Duan (advisor: J. Phillips)
B.A. Geography, Beijing Normal University
hydrology and geomorphology
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: jidan.duan@uky.edu

Amanda Fickey (advisor: Samers)
M.A. Folk Studies (Emphasis on Historic Preservation), Western Kentucky University, 2007
B.A. History, University of Kentucky, 2004
cultural and economic geography, Appalachian Culture, historic preservation
1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859)323-1969
email: amanda.fickey@uky.edu

Michele Flippo Bolduc (advisor: Roberts)
M.A. Geography, University of Georgia
B.A. Anthropology, University of Georgia
Haitian post-disaster political economy, children's geographies, health and the body, security, critical pedagogy, and academic activism
4 Miller Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-3947
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: michele.bolduc@uky.edu

Abigail Foulds (advisor: Roberts)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
B.A. Geography and Cross-Cultural Relations,
Simon's Rock College
gentrification, tourism, expatriates, transnational migration, Latin America (Nicaragua), development, urban geography, economic geography
email: abigail.foulds@uky.edu

Priyanka Ghosh (advisors: Karan & Robertson)
M.Sc. Geography, University of Calcutta, Kolkata
B.Sc. Geography, Presidency College, Kolkata
political ecology, environmental history, conservation
and development politics in the global south

Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: pghos2@gmail.com

Brian Grabbatin (advisors: Robertson & Schein)
M.S. Environmental Studies, College of Charleston
B.S. Anthropology, College of Charleston
political ecology, land and property, cultural landscapes, environmental history, ethnobotany, ethnographic methods, American South
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: bcgr222@uky.edu

Aretina Hamilton (advisor: Schein)
M.A. Urban Affairs and Public Policy,
University of Delaware
B.A. Political Science, Kentucky State University
historical urban geography, landscape and race, memory, visual anthropology, urban and regional planning, gender, sexuality and space
410 Bradley Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-8981
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: aretina.hamilton@uky.edu

Kelsey Hanrahan (advisor: Roberts)
M.A. Anthropology, University of South Carolina 2007
B.Sc Archaeology, University of Calgary 2005
gender, livelihood, subsistence agriculture, development, material culture, feminist approaches, West Africa
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: kbha225@uky.edu

Stephanie Houck (advisor: J. Phillips)
B.A. Geography and Classics, University of Kentucky
geomorphology of forested areas, hydrology
4 Miller Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-3947
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: smhouc2@uky.edu

Malene Jacobsen (advisor: DGS)
B.A. Geography and Education,
Roskilde University - Denmark
migration, place, identity, race, gender
1422 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6956
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: malene.jacobsen@uky.edu

James Jahnz (advisor: DGS)
B.S. Geography and Geology,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
geomorphology
4 Miller Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-3947
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: jamesjahnz@uky.edu

Priyanka Jain (advisor: Secor)
Ph.D Geography, University of Kentucky
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
M.S. Geography, Delhi School of Economics,
University of Delhi
B.A. Geography (hons), Kirori Mal College,
University of Delhi
development studies
email: pjain2@uky.edu

Valerie Keathley (advisors: Secor & Mutersbaugh)
M.A. International Affairs, University of Kentucky
B.A. International Relations, Salem College
labor geography, mobility, gender and sexuality studies, cultural geography, and political geography
1133 Patterson Office Tower

Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: vjkeathley@uky.edu

Rebecca Lane (advisor: Ehrkamp)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
B.A. Anthropology, University of Arizona
cultural and feminist geography, motherhood, memory, affect
1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: rebecca.lane@uky.edu

Derek Law (advisor: DGS)
M.S. Soil Science, University of Kentucky
B.Sc Agriculture and Sustainable Systems, Berea College
geomorphology, agriculture, landscape ecosystems, soils
3 Miller Hall
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: derek.law@uky.edu

Tom Loder (advisor: Mutersbaugh)
B.A. Gender Studies, Sarah Lawrence
political ecology and economy, social theory
1422 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6956
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: thomas.loder@uky.edu

Jessa Loomis (advisor: DGS)
M.A. Teaching, Clark University
B.A. Geography, Clark University
place, gender, urban and economic geography
3 Miller Hall
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: jessaloomis@uky.edu

James Looney (advisor: Schein)
Lecturer, The School for Field Studies,
Turks and Caicos Islands
PhD Candidate, Geography, University of Kentucky
Graduate Certificate in Social Theory,
University of Kentucky
M.A. Sociology, Syracuse University
B.A. Ecology and Environmental Studies,
University of Tennessee
Cultural landscapes and ecologies of place. Cultures of nature. Protected environments and architectures. Hybrid geographies. Animal geographies. Endangered species. Heritage. Tourism. Qualitative methods.
email: james.looney@uky.edu

Michael Marchman (advisor: Mutersbaugh)
M.A. Geography, University of Iowa
B.S. Psychology, University of Iowa
political economy, international development, tourism, labor, Caribbean
email: marchman@uky.edu

Vanessa Marquez (advisor: DGS)
B.A. Geography and International Relations,
Syracuse University
race, borders, migration, gender, Latin America
1422 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6956
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: vanessa.marquez@uky.edu


Sandy Marshall (advisor: Secor)
M.A. Near Eastern Studies, University of Arizona
B.A. Politics, Queen's University of Belfast
cultural and political geography, geographies of childhood and youth, Middle East and Islam
email: sandy.marshall@uky.edu

Sarah McCormack (advisor: Phillips)
M.S. Environmental Engineering,
Queen's University of Belfast

Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: sarahsmackcormack@gmail.com

Zina Merkin (advisor: Brunn)
M.L.A. University of California - Berkeley
landscape, spatial perception and psychology of space, GIS, rural development, reclamation
S329C Ag Science North
Tel.: (859) 257-5909
Fax: (859) 257-2859
email: zmerkin@uky.edu

Nate Millington (advisor: Schein)
M.S. Geography, University of Wisconsin - Madison
B.A. History, University of Virginia
urban nature, landscape, environmental history, political ecology, architecture, memory
4 Miller Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-3947
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: natemillington@uky.edu

Melissa Moorer (advisor: Shannon)
M.A. University of Kentucky
B.A. Vassar College

Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: melissamoorer@gmail.com

Carrie Mott (advisor: Secor)
M.A. Near Eastern Studies, University of Arizona
B.A. Religious Studies, University of Oregon
A.A.S. Yakima Valley Community College, 1998
Borderlands, US Southwest, Sonoran Desert, Security, Social Theory, Resistance, Indigeneity, Race, Normativity, Gender, Political Geography, Film as methodology, Arizona, Sonora
4 Miller Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-3947
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: carrie.mott@uky.edu

Eric Nost (advisor: DGS)
B.A. Geography, Grinnell College
political ecology and economy, environmental and ecosystem service markets, environmental and sustainability movements, agriculture
1422 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6956
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: eric.nost@uky.edu

Jon Otto (advisor: Mutersbaugh)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky, 2010
B.A. Latin American and International Studies,
Miami University, 2008
cultural and political geography, development, Mexico, trees
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: jon.otto@uky.edu

Ate Poorthuis (advisor: DGS)
M.A. Metropolitan Studies,
University of Amsterdam - Netherlands
B.A. Geography/Asian Studies,
University of Amsterdam - Netherlands
internet geographies, GIS
1422 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6956
Fax: (859) 323-1969

Sonya Prasertong (advisor: DGS)
B.A. Geography, University of Washington
critical/paticipatory GIS, digital technologies,
social geography
3 Miller Hall
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: prasertong@uky.edu

Julie Riesenweber (advisor: Schein)
M.A. Early American Culture, University of Delaware
B.A. Anthropology, University of Kentucky
historical and cultural landscapes, vernacular architecture: particularly that of America and Kentucky, historical perservation, sociology and politics of space
College of Architecture
110 Pence Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-9835
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email:jriesen@uky.edu

Jairus Rossi (advisor: Schein)
M.S. Geography, Pennsylvania State University
B.S. Biology and Religious Study, Bucknell University
social construction of nature, science/technology studies, restoration ecology, genetic biotechnology, microscale natures, nature/society relations, fermented foods
1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859)323-1969
email: jairusrossi@uky.edu

Derek Ruez (advisor: Ehrkamp)
M.A. Sociology, University of Kentucky
Certificate in Social Theory, University of Kentucky
B.A. Peace and Global Studies, Earlham College
sexual nationalisms and citizenships; spatialities of secularism; critical genealogies of tolerance, multiculturalism, and cosmopolitanism; Marxist, feminist, and psychoanalytic critiques of liberal subjectivities and political formations; spaces and politics of memory and promise;
Arendt and Derrida

1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859)323-1969
email: derek.ruez@uky.edu

Laura Sharp (advisor: DGS)
B.G.S, Geography and Anthropology, University of Kansas
cultural landscapes, urban historical geography
1422 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6956
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: laura.sharp@uky.edu

Michael Shouse (advisor: Fei & J. Phillips)
M.S. Forestry, University of Kentucky
B.S. Geography and Geoscience, University of Louisville
GIS, GPS, and remote sensing, invasive species,
landscape ecology, spatial statistics

411 Bradley Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-8981
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: m.shouse@uky.edu

Christine E. Smith (advisor: Secor)
B.A. Geography and International Relations,
Syracuse University 2006
social movements and U.S.drug policy
410 Bradley Hall
Tel.: (859) 257-8981
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: Cesmit5@uky.edu

Mitchell Snider (advisor: Samers)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
B.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
Graduate Certificate in Social Theory
migration studies, political economy, social theory, gender/masculinities/identity, transnational studies,
citizenship, democracy

1133 Patterson Office Tower

Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: mitchell.snider@uky.edu


Deborah Thompson (advisor: Schein)
M.A. Appalachian Studies, Appalachian State University
B.A. Hampshire College
cultural/historical geography with a focus on Appalachia, feminist, music and other folk arts, religion, historic architecture, gender and race
email: djthom4@uky.edu

Laçin Tutalar (advisor: DGS)
M.S. Sociology, Middle East Technical University - Turkey
B.A. Sociology, Koç University- Turkey
Turkey, consumption, social theory
1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: lacin.t@uky.edu

Chris Van Dyke (advisor: J. Phillips)
M.A. Geography, University of South Carolina
B.A. English, University of South Florida
fluvial geomorphology, biogeomorphology, stream channel evolution, landscape ecology, and political ecology
1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: cvandyke97@gmail.com

Liana Tuttle Vasseur (advisor: Schein)
M.A. English, University of Kentucky
B.A. English, Florida International University
migration studies, social construction of 'the border'
1133 Patterson Office Tower

Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: ltvass2@uky.edu

Timothy Vatovec (advisor: Schein)
M.A. Geography, University at Albany, SUNY, 2007
B.A. Political Science & Sociology, Hartwick College, 2003
cultural and political geographies, landscapes,
space and place, and social theory

1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: vatovect@gmail.com

Candice Wallace (advisor: Zook)
M.P.A. Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, University of Kentucky
B.A. Political Science, University of Kentucky
Economic Geography and Transportation
Kentucky Transportation Center

312 Engineering Annex, University of Kentucky,
Lexington, KY 40506
Tel.: (859) 257-4513 ext. 286
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: candice.wallace@uky.edu

Michael Walls (advisor: Schein)
M.A. University of Kentucky
M.P.A. University of Mississippi
B.A. Anthropology, Mississippi State University
A.S. Computer Science, State Tech. Institute at Memphis
GIS, urban/regional planning, public policy, cultural, historical, software engineering, data architecture,
social theory

Tel.: (859) 402-6978
email: mwalls@insightbb.com

Sarah Watson (advisor: Secor)
B.A. Political Science, Ohio University
community and gender, Appalachia
1418 Patterson Office Tower
Tel.: (859) 257-6992
Fax: (859) 323-1969
email: sarahwatson@uky.edu

Tommy Wilson (advisor: Secor)
M.A. Geography, University of Kentucky
B.A. Geography, University of Kentucky (Hons)
power, wave formation, surfing, subjectivization,
the political, theories of Play, rock climbing

email: tbwilsonky@gmail.com