Associate Professor of Geography - GIS/ Department Chair, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Zhenyu Jin

Zhenyu Jin

Zhenyu Jin is an Associate Professor of Geography and Chair of the Earth and Environmental Sciences Department at Utah Tech University. As a geographer, Jin enjoys traveling and applying geospatial technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, drones and GPS to solve real-world problems. His expertise includes spatial analysis and modeling, satellite image analysis and geographic information systems. He has authored or coauthored about 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Education

Ph.D., Geography

  • University of Utah, 2011

M.Sc., Geography

  • Nanjing University, 2004

B.Sc., Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

  • Nanjing University, 2001

Courses

  • ENVS 2000R - Field Experience: Environmental Science (LAB)
  • GEO 4800R - Independent Research
  • GEOG 1000 - Physical Geography
  • GEOG 1005 - Physical Geography Lab
  • GEOG 3600 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
  • GEOG 3605 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Laboratory
  • GEOG 4140 - Advanced GIS Analysis
  • GEOG 4180 - Geoprocessing with Python

EXPERIENCE

  • 10 years of teaching experience

RESEARCH & INTERESTS

  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Remote sensing
  • Environmental change studies

PRESENTATIONS

  • “Community-Based GIS Teaching and Learning through City Alliance Program at Utah Tech.” American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, Detroit, MI, March 2025.
  • Cowley J., Jin Z. “Vineyard Site Selection Using GIS.” Utah Conference on Undergraduate Research, Salt Lake City, UT, February 2023.
  • “Landscape change detection using GIS and Remote Sensing: a study on St. George.” American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., April 2019.

AWARDS & HONORS

  • Mini Trailblazer Award, Utah Tech University, January 2025
  • Excellence Award Nominee, Utah Tech University Faculty Awards, March 2024
  • Inclusive Teaching Award, Center for Teaching and Learning, Utah Tech University, May 2023