GIS Data Lab

Hi👋 Weclome to GIS Data Lab at University of Maryland Libraries webpage. We are a group of GIS and Data Science enthusiasts who are passionate about helping our library’s patrons. We are located in McKeldin Library, Room 4119. Come visit us!

Welcome to the GIS and Data Service Lab at the University of Maryland Libraries.

👩‍💻Team👨‍💻

Meet the talented individuals who make up our dedicated team:

👨‍💻 Milan Budhathoki, GISPⓇ

Role: GIS and Data Librarian

Mr. Budhathoki leads the GIS and Data Service Center established in McKeldin Library at the University of Maryland Libraries College Park. He specializes in applying geospatial concepts to advance academic research, teaching, and learning. The center that he manages provides complimentary services to UMD users on various aspects of geospatial data, data science, and data visualization across the campus. He oversees delivering uniquely catered GIS/Data services through consultation, workshop series, computing lab, and web resources, among others.
Milan Budhathoki

👩‍🎓 Mariia Ihnatiuk

Role: GIS Specialist

I am a Master’s student in Geospatial Information Science with a strong interest in spatial analysis and geospatial data visualization. I have experience working with ArcGIS Pro for mapping and advanced spatial analysis, as well as other Esri products, including ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, and Dashboards. I am continuing to develop my programming skills for GIS applications and expanding my knowledge of geospatial database management using SQL. In addition to GIS, I am also interested in applying remote sensing techniques to support environmental and spatial research. The best way to reach me is by email at ihnatiuk@umd.edu.
Maria Ihnatiuk

👨‍🎓 Jonathan

Role: GIS Specialist

I’m a current grad student at UMD, studying Geographic Information Science. At McKeldin, I assist in supporting UMD faculty, students, and staff with various geospatial needs, including one-on-one consultations, group workshops, and hands-on technical assistance. I bring a range of previous experiences to this role, having formerly worked as a Project Manager, Operations Coordinator, Tour Guide, Summer Camp Counselor, and Soccer Referee. My favorite subtopic areas of geospatial science are human geography related, and include real estate, transportation accessibility and impact, demographics, and electoral analysis. In my free time, I enjoy watching soccer, reading, going to the gym, and exploring DC's local bar scene.
Jonathan

👨‍💻 Jim Nealis

Role: Map Collection Volunteer

I am a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with degrees in Geography and Sociology. I began volunteering at the library in 2011, after my retirement from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (the water and sewer agency serving the Maryland suburbs of D.C.), where I worked as an assistant engineer, cartographer, and contract manager. I like maps and atlases and have been the ‘curator’ of the McKeldin map collection of over 100,000 maps for more than ten years. If you need help locating a map in our procured collection—which includes maps from the 1800s to the 21st Century— please email me at jenealis@aol.com.

👩‍🎓 Amylee Anyoha

Role: Statistical Consultant

I hold an MSPH and am currently a PhD candidate in Health Services Research . Over the past 8 years, I've worked across academic, federal (CDC), and state public health sectors, designing and delivering more than 30 training sessions to support data-informed community research and evidence-based decision-making. I've worked as an epidemiologist and data consultant, building data and analytic workflows and supporting program evaluation for aging and dementia initiatives, as well as providing epidemiologic support for more than 200 COVID-19 outbreak investigations. I'm originally from Connecticut, and outside of work I enjoy international travel, DIY projects, and working as a certified fitness instructor.
Amy

👩‍🎓 Apoorva Verma

Role: Statistical Data Consultant

I am a doctoral student in the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology at the University of Maryland, pursuing a degree in Quantitative Methodology: Measurement & Statistics. At the GIS and Data Service Center, I offer workshops on data cleaning, analysis, and visualization in R . I also provide consultations on machine learning, causal inference, generalized linear models, measurement models (IRT/SEM), and data wrangling. My research interests lie at the intersection of social network analysis and machine learning, particularly leveraging statistical learning and resampling techniques for link prediction. In my free time, I enjoy live music performances and going on hikes.
Apoorva Verma

👨‍🎓 Alexander Maksiaev

Role: Data Specialist

I am a graduate student at the University of Maryland studying Library and Information Science, with dual undergraduate degrees in Cognitive Science and Computer Science from the University of Virginia. My primary specialty is Python, though I do also have some R knowledge. Prior to my time at UMD, I worked as a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health, where I developed Python-based data pipelines to extract, clean, and organize data from large research databases. At the GIS and Data Service Center, I hold workshops introducing Python, assist patrons through the help desk, and provide individual consultations. My main professional interest lies in making complex data more useful and accessible to others. In my free time, I crochet, draw, and write fiction.
Alexander

👨‍💻 Tushar Kaushik

Role: GIS Specialist

I am a graduate student at the University of Maryland, studying Geographic Information Science, with a background in Applied Data Science. I have experience working with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and StoryMaps for mapping and spatial analysis. Some of my previous projects include flood hazard exposure mapping, transportation accessibility analysis, and housing price prediction. My interests include remote sensing, spatial analysis, and geospatial research. If you want to reach out to me use kaushit@umd.edu.
Tushar