About the Author

Dr. Michael Wimberly is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Oklahoma. He previously served on the faculties of the University of Georgia and South Dakota State University. He holds a Ph.D. from Oregon State University, an M.S. from the University of Washington, and a B.A. from the University of Virginia. Dr. Wimberly has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in Geographic Information Science (GIS), Spatial Statistics, and Landscape Ecology. He has worked with the R language and software environment throughout his academic career after being introduced to its predecessors, S and S+, in graduate school. His research combines ecological models with Earth observation data to address scientific questions and create practical applications in the fields of public health and natural resource management. Areas of study include the effects of land use and climate on vector-borne disease transmission, wildfire and vegetation dynamics in temperate and tropical forest ecosystems, and the causes and consequences of agricultural expansion into native forests and grasslands.