Santiago Lopez
Professor
Adjunct Professor, Dept. of Geography, University of Washington Seattle
Santiago Lopez is a Professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at the University of Washington Bothell. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography and the Environment from the University of Texas at Austin, with advanced training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial analysis, and human-environment research methods. His interdisciplinary academic background integrates human–environment geography, geospatial technologies, and environmental science. Dr. Lopez’s research focuses on the intersections of global environmental change, land change, and geospatial science. His work examines the application of GIS and remote sensing to address socio-environmental challenges. He is particularly interested in how spatial data and mapping technologies can inform decision-making, advance human-environment geography, and support resilient communities. At UW Bothell, he teaches courses in GIS, data visualization, environmental studies, and environmental studies, mentoring students in applied geospatial research and community-engaged projects.
Courses
- BIS343: Geographic Visualization
- BIS242: Environmental Geography
- BIS342: Introduction to GIS
- BIS344: Intermediate GIS
- BIS442: Advanced Geographic Analysis and Applications
- BES440: Remote Sensing of the Environment
- BIS498: Global engagements through geotechnologies in Ecuador
- BIS498: Environmental Studies in the Ecuadorian Mainland and the Galapagos Islands
- Lopez, S., Hicks, N., and Feola, J. (2025) Novel insights into the Spatial Dynamics of English holly (Ilex aquifolium) Invasion in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Discover Plants 3(1): 1-19.
- Lopez, S., and Jung, J-K (2024). Socio-environmental dynamics in the equatorial Andes: A contemporary perspective mediated by climate change and agricultural transformations. In Ortiz, T and Gerique A (eds), Climatic collapse in the Andean region: Sociopolitical, socioeconomic, and ecosystemic dimensions. Abya-Yala UPS Press, Quito. Pp. 119-152
- López, S. (2024) Re-examining Contemporary Land Use and Land Cover Transformations in Amazonia from an Anthropocene Perspective. In Kaltmeier, O., López-Sandoval, M., Padua, J., and Zarrilli, A (eds) The Anthropocene as a Multiple Crisis: Latin American Perspectives on Land Use Changes in Amazonia María Sibylla Merian Center for Advanced Latin American Studies (CALAS).
- López, S. (ed). (2023) Socio Environmental Research in Latin America: Interdisciplinary Approaches Using GIS and Remote Sensing Frameworks. Springer Nature, Switzerland.
- López, S. Lopez-Sandoval, MF, Jung J-K. (2020) New Insights on Land Use, Land Cover, and Climate Change in Human–Environment Dynamics of the Equatorial Andes. Annals of the American Association of Geographers.
- López, S., Lopez-Sandoval, MF., Gerique, A., and Salazar, J. (2020) Landscape change in Southern Ecuador: An indicator-based and multi-temporal evaluation of land use and land cover in a mixed-use protected area. Ecological Indicators 111.