Location. Collaboration. Impact.

About Us

Our Vision

To be the nation’s leader in geospatial science research and accelerate the St. Louis region’s development as a global geospatial center of excellence.

Our Mission

To advance geospatial science through multi-institutional, interdisciplinary collaborations in order to create innovative, real-world solutions to societal grand challenges.

Our Path

The Taylor Geospatial Institute operates as an interdisciplinary community of preeminent scientists that draws on the distinctive strengths and state-of-the-art computing infrastructure of eight research institutions to launch innovative, cutting-edge research programs that make a positive impact. We aim to:

  • Build a world-class, interdisciplinary research collaborative to address scientific and societal grand challenges, such as food security, supply chain resilience, health equity, and national security using location science
  • Establish a comprehensive spatial science research infrastructure as a catalyst for collaboration and partnership with industry, government agencies, and research entities
  • Translate research advancements into impactful commercial applications in partnership with the forthcoming National Center for Location Science
  • Contribute to the overall effort to develop, maintain, and retain outstanding talent in partnership with the St. Louis GeoFutures Coalition

Taylor Family Legacy Investment

The Taylor Geospatial Institute was established by a legacy investment from Andrew C. Taylor with supporting investments from each of the eight member institutions. This catalytic funding by the Taylors builds on St. Louis’ significant geospatial assets and accelerates the region’s position as the global center of geospatial innovation, impact, and excellence.

Governance

Collaboration and innovation frame our governance and leadership team. They’re central to everything we do.

As a consortium of research institutions led by Saint Louis University, the Taylor Geospatial Institute draws on the expertise and insights of a broad range of scientists at the forefront of geospatial research. All working together with experienced leaders in higher education and experts from both industry and government.

Our Governing Council is composed of senior administrators from partner institutions who provide advice to and serve in an oversight capacity for the Institute Director. Members of the the Governing Council are appointed by the President of Saint Louis University.

Our Research Council is composed of scientific leaders from partner institutions who provide oversight for our strategic research agenda, developing competitive funding mechanisms, and a series of topical working groups to ensure we remain at the forefront of research in critical areas.

Our External Advisory Board is composed of preeminent geospatial scientists and leaders across the United States who advise the Institute on scientific strategies and operational plans.

Our Researchers

Our people, from students to the most distinguished researchers, are critical ingredients to the success of this research consortium. The Institute brings them together through a range of opportunities, research and social events, and intentional matches.

The institute has several levels for faculty membership

  • Associate: Faculty members in the consortium that are affiliated with the Institute. Check out our list of Associates. Sign up to be a member through the Associates Interest Form and Survey.
  • Member:  Actively engaged faculty members of the research consortium who participate in events, working group and/or are recipients of TGI funding. Associates are elevated to members through their engagement.
  • TGI Fellow: Eminent researchers in geospatial science core or adjacent fields that help to catalyze regional collaboration. These Fellowships support rising stars in their field who demonstrated exceptional research activity and impact and show promise of making a significant contribution to TGI’s research portfolio and mission. TGI Fellows are nominated through the process outlines in the Taylor Fellows program Notice of Opportunity.
  • Distinguished TGI Fellow: Internationally renowned scholars in core geospatial and applied areas. The distinguished fellows elevate the awareness of TGI and its impact in the broader geospatial ecosystem.
  • TGI Industry Fellow: Accomplished scientist/researcher from industry, who brings significant contributions to TGI’s missions and vision. 

TGI Working Groups

TGI is establishing a formal framework for faculty and researchers at partner institutions to establish “TGI Working Groups.” A TGI Working Group should consist of a group of researchers from two or more TGI institutions, who meet on a regular basis to pursue common goals related to TGI’s mission of advancing collaborative geospatial research. These working groups are a grass roots tool to engage a wider group of faculty around a focused interest area. The Institute can provide some resources to establish and sustain the working groups. 

Submit your proposal for creating a new TGI Working Group using the Notice of Opportunity for TGI Working Groups

The Research Council approved the following groups: 

  • Spatial Humanities Working Group: Lead by Professor Peter Kastor (Washington University) and Professor Fabien Montcher (Saint Louis University).
  • Water Security Research Working Group: Lead by Professor Jason Knouft (Saint Louis University)

More details on the working groups and meeting times will be posted soon. 

Governing Council

Ken Olliff, Chair

Vice President for
Research and Partnerships
Saint Louis University

Aaron Bobick

Dean and James M. McKelvey Professor, McKelvey School of Engineering
Washington University in St. Louis

Kamal Khayat

Interim Vice Chancellor for
Research and Innovation &
Vernon and Maralee Jones
Professor of Civil Engineering
Missouri University of
Science and Technology

Photo of Christopher Spilling

Toni Kutchan

Oliver M. Langenberg Distinguished Investigator and Vice President for Research
Danforth Plant Science Center

Susan A. Martinis

Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation &
Stephen G. Sligar Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Thomas E. Spencer

Vice Chancellor for Research
Curators’ Distinguished Professor & Scientific Director, NextGen Precision Health
University of Missouri–Columbia

Photo of Christopher Spilling

Christopher D. Spilling

Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic & Community Development, Professor of Chemistry
University of Missouri–St. Louis

Freddie E. Wills, Jr.

Vice President of STEM Initiatives and Research Partnerships
Harris-Stowe State University

Research Council

Vasit Sagan, Chair

Acting Director of the Taylor Geospatial Institute &
Associate Professor, Department of Earth
and Atmospheric Sciences
Saint Louis University

Mehdi Ferdowsi picture

Mehdi Ferdowsi

Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Research,
College of Engineering and Computing
Missouri University of
Science and Technology

Nathan Jacobs

Nathan Jacobs

Professor, Computer Science and Engineering
McKelvey School of Engineering
Washington University in St. Louis

Allison Miller

Member and Principal Investigator
Danforth Plant Science Center

Professor, Department of Biology
Saint Louis University

Enbal Shacham

Professor and Chair, Behavioral Science
and Health Education, College for
Public Health and Social Justice
Saint Louis University 

Chi-Ren Shyu

Paul K. and Dianne Shumaker Professor,
College of Engineering
University of Missouri–Columbia

Matthew J. Taylor

Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs,
College of Arts and Sciences &
Associate Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences
University of Missouri–St. Louis

Tommie Yvette Turner

Director of the Institute for Science and Mathematics
Harris-Stowe State University

Shaowen Wang

Professor and Head of the Department
of Geography and Geographic
Information Science
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Leadership

Vasit Sagan, Chair

Acting Director of the
Taylor Geospatial Institute

Serves as the principal point of contact for business with the TGI and is responsible for the management of the day-to-day operations and administration of the TGI according to the policies, procedures, and strategic direction set by the Governing Council. In addition, the Director leads strategic research and other priorities for the Institute.

Henning Lohse-Busch

Acting Chief of Staff 

The acting Chief of Staff reports to the acting Director of the Taylor Geospatial Institute to assist in the day-to-day operation, the development and execution of the strategic plan, and all tasks to ensure the long-term success of the Institute. 

Ness Sandoval

Acting Associate Director for
Diversity, Education, and Training

Responsible for coordinating institute-wide educational and training programs, identifying gaps in the regional workforce and talent needs, and designing and developing training programs (in collaboration with TGI leadership and stakeholders) that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Enbal Shacham

Acting Associate Director for
Strategic Initiatives

Responsible for developing strategic partnerships, research, and innovation initiatives that enable the Institute as the nation’s leading academic center in geospatial science.

Michael O’Toole

Program Director of Consortium Engagement

Responsible for enhancing and facilitating multi-institutional collaboration, communication, and faculty and student engagement across the eight institutions of the TGI.

Heather Venable

Business Manager

Manages the financial accounts and sponsored program activities related to TGI, as well as human resources operations, procurement, and pre- and post- award staff.

Alifu Haireti

Geospatial Computing Engineer

Justin Vilbig

Geospatial Data Scientist

Our St. Louis Regional Geospatial Ecosystem

The St. Louis region is a powerhouse for geospatial science; linking research, industry, and government partners into a vital network of collaboration that makes an impact. As the home of Next NGA West, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s new headquarters, St. Louis has a vibrant ecosystem for geospatial research, training, and innovation.

The Taylor Geospatial Institute plays an important role in this thriving network through:

  • Fostering globally recognized geospatial research
  • Collaborations and exchanges between regional institutions and industry partners
  • Recruiting leading geospatial scientists to the Institute and its partners
  • Training the next generation of researchers, innovators, and business leaders

We add to an already extensive startup and entrepreneur landscape in St. Louis, including multiple industry innovation communities such as Cortex, T‑Rex, BioSTL, Moonshot Labs, 39 North, and a robust geospatial ecosystem consisting of over 350 companies.

And bringing together all of these academic, industry, and government initiatives is the GeoFutures Coalition – a strategic planning initiative supporting the growth of the geospatial ecosystem in St. Louis and ensuring that the city is viewed as the global leader in geospatial innovation.