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Faculty Member

Dr. Sowmya Selvarajan

Biography

Dr. Sowmya Selvarajan specializes in GeoAI, GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis, with a focus on scientific computing and big data applications. Her teaching interests lie at the intersection of computer science and geospatial technologies, emphasizing programming, algorithms, and machine learning for solving spatial problems. She is passionate about integrating applied mathematics, data science, and artificial intelligence into geospatial curricula to prepare students for real-world challenges.

Education

PhD, University of Florida, 2011

Major: Geomatics

MS, National University of Singapore, 2004

Major: Civil Engineering

BS, College of Engineering, Anna University, 2000

Major: Geo-informatics Engineering

Teaching

CS 1400

Fundamentals of Programming, Fall 2026

CS 6600

Graduate Project I, Fall 2026

CS 2420

Introduction to Algorithms and Data Structures, Fall 2026

CS 2420

Introduction to Algorithms and Data Structures, Fall 2026

CS 4470

Artificial Intelligence, Spring 2026

CS 1400

Fundamentals of Programming, Spring 2026

CS 2420

Introduction to Algorithms and Data Structures, Spring 2026

Presentations

Selvarajan, Sowmya (Presenter & Author), Esri Education Blog, "Growing with GIS_ Reflections on 25 Years in Geospatial Education", Esri, Online. ()
Selvarajan, Sowmya (Presenter & Author), UV GIS Day 2025, "Cartographic Conventions", UVU and Utah Valley GIS User Group, UVU Main Campus. (November 19, 2025)
Selvarajan, Sowmya , ASPRS 2025 International Technical Symposium, "Remote Sensing Detection of Mixed Algal Blooms in a Shallow Eutrophic Lake Using Landsat-9 OLI", American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. (October 28, 2025)
Selvarajan, Sowmya (Presenter & Author), Wang, Weihong (Presenter & Author), Athithan, Vikram (Co-Presenter), UVGIS Q3 2025 Meeting, "Advancing Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring in Utah Lake_ Integrating Remote Sensing with Google Earth Engine", Utah Valley GIS Users Group, UVU Classroom Building. (October 8, 2025)
Selvarajan, Sowmya (Presenter & Author), College of Engineering and Technology Unconference 2025 , "Teams Livestream Tips and Tricks", UVU CET, Culinary Arts Institute. (August 14, 2025)
Selvarajan, Sowmya (Presenter & Author), UVGIS 1st Quaterly Meeting , "GIS Image Analysis - What are Deep Trained Models", Utah Valley GIS Users Group, Provo, UT. (March 11, 2025)

Scholarly/Creative Works

Selvarajan, Sowmya , (2026) "Growing with GIS_ Reflections on 25 Years in Geospatial Education" . Redlands, CA: Esri. https://community.esri.com/en/discussion/1715442/growing-with-gis-reflections-on-25-years-in-geospatial-education
Selvarajan, Sowmya , (2026) "Algal Bloom Mapping in Utah Lake Using Landsat 9 " . Redlands, CA: Esri . https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/events/uc/agenda/virtual-map-gallery#/event/69209f990d5f072ce16a7d51/submission-detail/42407
Selvarajan, Sowmya , (2026) "Remote Sensing Detection of Mixed Algal Blooms in a Shallow Eutrophic Lake Using Landsat-9 OLI" (vol. XLVIII-M-10-2025). The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences. https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-xlviii-m-10-2025-213-2026
Selvarajan, Sowmya , (2025) "Engaging Students as Creators, Not Consumers, in the Classroom | Session 10 " (vol. T3 2025). Orem, UT: UVU Office of Teaching and Learning.
Selvarajan, Sowmya , Athithan, Vrisha , (2025) "Temporal Monitoring of Algal Blooms in Utah Lake Using Landsat 8 and a Custom Spectral Model" (vol. Esri UC 2025 Proceedings). Redlands, CA: Esri . https://webnode.esri.com/download/tQNhQr4QzPYiOP7IbL95V-FGrBKm6klRj9zstYk6RQl/EsriUC2025_SowmyaVrisha_Poster.jpg
Selvarajan, Sowmya , (2025) "Seasonal Monitoring of Algal Blooms in Utah Lake Using Landsat 8 Imagery and a Custom Spectral Model" . USA: IEEE.

Awards

International Expert with the Geo-Intel Lab at IITTNiF

IITTNiF - January 2, 2026

Invited and awarded to serve as an Expert with the Geo-Intel Lab, a Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation supported through India’s National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems and Department of Science and Technology. The lab advances geospatial intelligence, digital twins, GNSS, NavIC, positioning, navigation and timing, remote sensing, and GIS applications for public good and digital governance. In this honorary role, I contribute domain-specific expertise and may participate in research projects, technical reviews, task forces, seminars, conferences, and publications.

Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Works

UVU Office of Academic Affairs - November 20, 2024

As part of the recognition strategy in the Office of Academic Affairs, hosted an annual event for selected faculty who demonstrated excellence in scholarship and creative works during the previous academic year. My department chair nominated me this year.

Visiting Professor - Overseas

Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University - January 11, 2022

This honor recognizes my academic and research contributions in geospatial science, geographic information systems (GIS), and remote sensing, including the use of satellite imagery, spatial data, and mapping technologies to address real-world problems. Anna University in Chennai, India, awarded me the title of Visiting Professor (Overseas) in recognition of my sustained academic collaboration with the university. In this role, I engage with faculty and students through lectures, research discussions, scholarly exchange, and professional activities related to geospatial education and remote sensing. The appointment reflects my continuing role as an international academic partner and my contributions to bilateral cooperation in geospatial science, GIS, remote sensing, and related research.