Abigail Unger

I assist with geospatial analysis and data management for environmental research projects focused on flood hazards and agricultural land use analysis in Malawi. Responsibilities include processing spatial datasets, conducting background research, and contributing to the writing and development of research papers and presentations.

I provided one-on-one and group tutoring for students in physical geology, environmental geology, historical geology, and other earth science courses. Additionally, I assisted with understanding key concepts such as mineral identification, plate tectonics, and geologic time, while supporting students in developing effective study strategies and scientific thinking. Collaborated with faculty to create a supportive learning environment and promote student success in STEM.

At NCUR, I presented research conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Brad Peter that examined the relationship between flood hazard exposure and socioeconomic vulnerability in Arkansas. Using ArcGIS Pro and other geospatial cyberinfrastructure tools, I integrated digital elevation models, land use data, and demographic indicators to identify communities with heightened flood risk and limited adaptive capacity. The study revealed spatial disparities in flood vulnerability and emphasized the need for equitable, data-driven hazard mitigation. This work contributes to environmental planning efforts aimed at enhancing resilience across diverse populations.