Abstract

Scientific Visualization of Epidemiological Data: Exploring Geospatial Relationships between Infectious Diseases and the Environment using Remote Sensing and GIS.

Bjorn F. Dahlen
Airborne Science Operations Coordinator
University Of North Dakota, USA
bdahlen@aero.und.edu

Abstract :
Landscape epidemiology frequently involves highly complex interrelationships between humans, vector-borne pathogens, disease vectors, climate, land-use, land-cover, and numerous other environmental parameters. Presented with a robust set of epidemiological data, we found it useful to dynamically and interactively explore these data using 3D scientific visualization. Exploratory data analysis provided a means for knowledge discovery and hypothesis generation in a collaborative working environment. We created 3-dimensional, interactive, visual scenarios using varied environmental conditions and spatial epidemiology data, leading to broader exploration and hypothesis building of the relationships between remotely sensed environmental conditions and landscape epidemiological data.