Chad H. Freed

Chad H. Freed, PhD

  • Associate Professor
  • Director of Geographic Information Systems Laboratory
  • Director of Engineering and Environmental Geosciences Laboratory
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Affiliated Programs

Education

  • PhD, Earth and Environmental Science (2006)
    University of Pennsylvania (PA)
  • MS, Civil Engineering (1993)
    Drexel University (PA)
  • MS, Engineering Geology (1993)
    Drexel University (PA)

About Me

I'm a tenured professor of environmental science at Widener and director of the geographic information systems and the engineering and environmental geosciences laboratories. I teach undergraduate and graduate classes in the engineering and environmental geosciences, as well as supervise an active research program in the three-dimensional spatial characterization and visualization of geographic, hydrologic, and geophysical data. 

Currently, my research projects include quantifying landscape disturbances from natural gas mining and conservation biology and climate change projects in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. My international research projects include global climate change analysis in the mountains of Costa Rica, the Amazon rainforest of Peru, and modeling natural ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau of China. My teaching philosophy is easy: educate by example.

Research Interests

My research interests center around the visualization of geographic space for any purpose. This area of research is called "geovisualization." I specialize in the geovisualization of natural habitats, engineered projects, subsurface geology, surface and ground water hydrology, geophysical data, and urban attributes. For example, I have recently been involved in modeling rainfall runoff streamflow characteristics for a local watershed while assisting a local community analyze the spatial distribution of crime. My research includes geovisualization for local projects, as well as international projects in Costa Rica, the Amazon jungle in Peru, and the Tibetan Plateau of China.

Publications

  • Freed, C.H., Mohan, D., & Tether, A. (2010). Geotechnical engineering investigation report, North Central Reliability Project - 100 mile transmission line, PSEG. URS Corporation, Washington Division, Inc.
  • Freed, C.H., Mohan, D., & Tether, A. (2010). Geotechnical engineering investigation report, Burlington Camden Reliability Project - transmission line, PSEG. URS Corporation, Washington Division, Inc.
  • Freed, C.H., & Barnett, M. (2009). Geographic information system in service learning. Academic Exchange Quarterly, 13(3), 31

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Society for Conservation GIS (SCGIS)

Awards

  • University Technology Faculty Fellow
  • Clinton Global Initiative Researcher
  • Obama Administration's Strong Cities, Strong Communities Researcher

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