Spatial Analysis
Understanding spatial patterns, relationships and processes across environmental and human systems.
Research portfolio
Zainab Khan
Researcher in Spatial Analysis & Environmental Geography
Understanding Himalayan hazards, water ecosystems and climate change through spatial analysis, field evidence and environmental modelling.
Research approach
About
Research questions guide my work; analytical methods and practical tools help me investigate and communicate them.
I am an Environmental Geography researcher with doctoral training and postdoctoral experience at Aligarh Muslim University and IIT Roorkee. My work brings together field observations, spatial datasets and modelling to understand environmental processes and support evidence-based decisions.
Recently, I have extended this approach into research applications: interactive models, simulators and tools for exploring environmental information. These projects grow from my research practice, with an emphasis on clear assumptions, validation and useful communication of results.
Core domains
Research Focus
My research connects spatial analysis with natural hazards, water ecosystems and climate change, with a strong interest in Himalayan environments.
Natural Hazards & Disaster Risk
Investigating hazard processes, vulnerability and risk to support disaster preparedness and resilience.
Water & Lake Ecosystems
Exploring the functioning, health and environmental change of aquatic ecosystems and water resources.
Climate Change & Environmental Response
Examining climate-driven changes in landscapes and ecosystems, and their implications for environmental sustainability.
Research in practice
Selected Projects
Applications of spatial analysis and environmental modelling: from participatory hazard documentation to simulation, lake-temperature reconstruction and everyday environmental decisions.
01 · Citizen science & disaster documentation
HazWatch
Available on Google Play
An Android application that enables people to document current and past hazard events with locations and photographs. It connects citizen participation with geospatial hazard mapping and organised, anonymised information for research and public awareness.
View on Google Play02 · Spatial simulation
Wildfire Spread Simulator
In progress
A browser-based research simulator using cellular automata to explore wildfire spread under changing environmental conditions. It combines satellite and weather data with observed fire information, calibration and validation workflows.
Explore research prototype03 · Environmental modelling
Thermal-Memory Lake Temperature Model
Research prototype
A web tool for reconstructing and predicting lake surface temperature from atmospheric forcing and sparse lake observations. A lake-specific thermal-memory formulation supports calibration, independent validation and gap filling.
Open model04 · Environmental data exploration
WeatherScope
Available · being refined
A map-based explorer for weather and atmospheric information, bringing location-specific conditions, historical patterns and forecasts into one interactive view.
Open WeatherScope05 · Applied spatial decision support
Smart Walk Advisor
In progress
An emerging walking-route advisor designed to compare routes using multiple environmental parameters and help identify cleaner walking options. Route evaluation and the application are still being developed.
Research Impact
Research in the Media
Selected national media coverage highlighting findings from my research on climate change and natural hazards in the Himalayan region.
The Times of India
11 March 2025
Kumaon Himalayas to face alarming rise in land surface temp by 2030: Study
Times of India coverage of research examining long-term land-surface-temperature change in the Kumaon Himalayas and projected warming patterns through 2030.
Read coverage ↗
The Times of India
20 May 2025
Himalayan river basins face escalating landslide threats, Jhelum most vulnerable, warns study
National coverage of research assessing landslide susceptibility and exposure across major Himalayan river basins using machine learning and geospatial analysis.
Read coverage ↗
Academic Recognition
Fellowships
Selected doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships supporting my academic and research development.
2018
Maulana Azad National Fellowship
National research fellowship supporting doctoral research and advanced academic training.
2023
ICSSR Postdoctoral Fellowship
Postdoctoral fellowship supporting advanced research in geography, environmental studies and related social-science fields.
2025
Chanakya Postdoctoral Fellowship
IIT Tirupati
Selected evidence
Selected Publications
Five studies representing my work on Himalayan climate, lake ecosystems, natural hazards and ecological change. The Google Scholar link in the introduction leads to my full publication record.
Temporal trends and future projections: Analysing land surface temperature in the Kumaun Himalayas using spatial time series analysis
Estimating Photosynthetically Active Euphotic Layer in Major Lakes of Kumaun Region Using Secchi Depth
Mapping landslide susceptibility and risk assessment on fragile ecosystem of Himalayan River basins
Predicting Forest Fire Risk and Carbon Pool Vulnerability in the Himalayas: A Machine Learning Approach
Predicting the effects of climate change on prospective Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) dispersal in Kumaun region of Uttarakhand using machine learning algorithms
Academic Path
Research Experience
Doctoral and postdoctoral experience connecting field research, spatial analysis and environmental modelling.
Postdoctoral Research · IIT Roorkee
Geospatial Engineering · AI · Crop Health · Remote Sensing
Worked on AI-based crop-health monitoring integrating satellite observations, UAV imagery and PhenoCam data.
Postdoctoral Research · Aligarh Muslim University
Climate Change · Landslides · Himalayan Risk
Conducted research on climate-change impacts, landslide susceptibility and environmental risk in the Himalayan region.
PhD · Environmental Geography
Himalayan Lakes · Phytoplankton · Climate Change
Doctoral research focused on Kumaon lake ecosystems, phytoplankton dynamics and climate-sensitive environmental processes.
Techniques & applications
Methods & Skills
I select methods to suit the research question. GIS, remote sensing and computational techniques support the analysis of spatial and environmental processes.
Analytical methods
Spatial analysisSpatial statistics & geostatisticsSpatial time-series analysisNetwork analysisEnvironmental modellingPredictive mappingApplied AI & machine learningModel calibration & validation
Geospatial & computational tools
GISRemote sensingQGISArcGISGoogle Earth EngineRPythonJavaScript
Research data & applications
Field observationsWater-quality measurementsSatellite dataUAV dataPhenoCam dataEnvironmental data integrationInteractive visualisationResearch web tools & simulators
Contact
Environmental research & collaboration.
For research collaborations, geospatial and environmental projects, scientific partnerships or related professional opportunities, please get in touch by email.