Dr. Chao Fan is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at New Mexico State University. She received her Ph.D. in Geography from Arizona State University. Before joining NMSU, she was a postdoctoral fellow with the Field Museum and an Assistant Professor with the University of Idaho.

 She is an accomplished researcher and educator in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T), with expertise at the intersection of geospatial innovation and real-world environmental and urban challenges. Her research advances the development and application of cutting-edge geospatial tools to address pressing issues such as wildland fire, urban heat islands, urban sprawl, and the resilience of power systems under extreme weather events. Her work has been supported by leading federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She has published in top-tier journals such as Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Landscape and Urban Planning, and Global Change Biology, contributing significant insights to both the GIScience and environmental change communities.

As an educator, she is committed to preparing the next generation of GIS&T professionals by integrating emerging GeoAI methods across her curriculum. She teaches a suite of innovative courses—including Fundamentals of GIS, Spatial Analysis and Modeling, and Introductory and Advanced Programming for GIS—ensuring that students are equipped with the technical skills and critical thinking needed to lead in the rapidly evolving field of geospatial science.

Research Interests

Geographical Information Science, Spatial Analysis and Modeling, Remote Sensing, GeoAI, Machine Learning, Urban Heat Islands, Wildland Fire, Renewable Energy

Education

B.E. Remote Sensing and GIS, Wuhan University, 2010
M.A. Geography, Arizona State University, 2013
Ph.D. Geography, Arizona State University, 2016

Courses Taught

GEOG 481/578, Fundamentals of GIS
GEOG 442/542, Programming for GIS
GEOG 485/585, Spatial Analysis and Modeling
GEOG 381/571, Cartography and GIS

Contact

Breland Hall, Room 141
575-646-3509 (Department Office Phone)
575-646-7430 (Fax)
cfan@nmsu.edu