James Tsalah
Instructor in the Summer Science & Engineering Program
James Tsalah is a geospatial research analyst and educator who seeks to address challenges in computational science by leveraging modern tools and mathematics. Their research interests center on uniting spatial sciences with interdisciplinary applications, including environmental stewardship, biological sciences, and public health. James holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and environmental science, as well as a master’s in geographic information science and technology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
James’s current work explores how human activity shapes the distribution of tick-borne illness, with the goal of supporting more effective public health interventions. They have also led projects analyzing the spread of invasive plant and insect species, using spatial data to inform strategic allocation of public resources for ecosystem restoration. James teaches with Smith in the geosciences department and in the Summer Science & Engineering Program.