Danielson R. Kisanga

Geography Department, UNM . Albuquerque, NM . 87131. (505) 277 0022. dkisanga@unm.edu
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Summary of Qualifications

Knowledgeable with Geographical Information Science.
Over 7 years of teaching Physical Geography to undergraduate and graduate students.
Familiar with using and teaching Digital Image Processing techniques
Experienced in remote sensing and GIS applications to human-environment interactions
Already involved in some GIS and Human-Environment research projects oriented to US Southwest
Well-versed in most natural resource management and conservation theory and practices
Extensive Experience in teaching and research regarding soil and water management and conservation
Proven ability to conduct field research independently and as a supervisor
Detailed knowledge on sustainable systems and environmental planning
Hard working, committed, and able to multi-task effectively
Outstanding training, leadership, and communications skills

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Educational Background
PhD – Geography - 2005
Clark University (Worcester, MA)
Dissertation title: “Impact of land-use/cover change on water resources on tropical mountain ecosystems: Case study of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania”
Major: Geomorphology, GIS, Remote Sensing and Soil Erosion
MA – Geography - 2003
Graduate School of Geography, Clark University
Emphasis on Human-environment, nature and society, GIS and Remote Sensing
M.Sc. - Soil Science - 1992
Sokoine University of Agriculture, SUA (Morogoro, Tanzania)
Thesis Title: “Effect of method of terracing on some physical and chemical properties of soils of Mgeta, Morogoro, Tanzania”.
Postgraduate Diploma - Soil Science - 1990
Agricultural University of Norway (Ås, Norway)
Emphasis on Soils and Environment, Land degradation, hazards, management and
Conservation. Soil Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Genesis, Classification and Plant
Nutrition were also tackled.
B.Sc. – Agriculture - 1987
SUA (Morogoro, Tanzania)
Professional Experience
I Current Position

Lecturer in the Geography Department since February 2006

Responsibilities of Position

Teaching Physical Geography to undergraduates (Geo 101) – Emphasizing environmental geosystems and how they operate – atmosphere, hydrosphere, Lithosphere and biosphere and their inter-relations and significance to human
Teaching an Introduction to GIS to undergraduate as well as graduate students (Geog 381) – emphasizing spatial data, spatial processes, GIS concepts, practices and hands-on-computer exercises which demonstrate GIS applications
Teaching Seminar in Remote Sensing to Graduate Students (Geog 522)
Teaching Seminar in Physical Geography to Graduate Students (Geog 512)
Teaching Climatology (Geog 351) – with emphasis on past, present and projected climatic systems, including factors affecting their variations as well as global climate change scenarios
Will teach Special course in Geog 101 – Physical Geography Related to Hunger Poverty and Food Shortage in the South West US, notably New Mexico in Spring 2008
Will teach Water in the Environmental Systems (Geog 359) – emphasizing applied land and water use planning

II Positions Prior to UNM
Graduate School of Geography, Clark University, Worcester, MA – 2000-2005

Teaching Assistant, Graduate School of Geography, Clark University

Responsibilities of Position
Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing – Spring 2005

Teaching Introductory to Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
I was involved in instructing and overseeing this course to 32 undergraduate and graduate students in collaborative with a teaching assistant.
The course has two lectures and two laboratory sessions a week.

Weather, Landform and Climate – Spring and Fall 2004

Teaching Assistant for Weather, Landform and Climate;
Guiding, supervising and grading undergraduate students’ laboratory work.
Administration and grading of quizzes, mentoring students on various concepts not well understood during their group discussion sessions.

Worcester EcoTarium - May 2003

Consultation research regarding determination of runoff routes to the pond at EcoTarium, near Worcester. The study involved application of topographic maps, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and GPS determined control points.
Data analysis using GIS to track runoff routes which led to sedimentation and possible pollution in the ponds containing fish and other marine life.

Advance topics in GIS – Spring 2003

Teaching Assistant for Advanced topics in GIS
Leading group discussions, grading assignments, participating in seminars and presentations.

Southern Yucatan Peninsular Region Project (SYPR)– summer 2002

Research Assistant for SYPR project concerning “Deforestation in the Southern Yucatan Peninsular Region, Mexico”.
The assignment involved digital image classification using various sub-pixel classifiers on multi temporal Landsat TM images.

Digital Image Processing – Fall 2001 and 2002

Teaching Assistant for Digital Image Processing;
Guiding students in tutorials detailing with remote sensing data analysis;
Guiding field trips for ground verification for various laboratory-conducted analyses;
Administering and grading laboratory work, quizzes and exams.

Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing of the Environment– Spring 2002

Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Geographical Information Systems;
Guiding students in tutorials concerning GIS and Remote Sensing,
Supervising laboratory sessions, grading the labs and assisting students with their projects.

Introduction to Geology – Spring 2001

Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Geology;
Overseeing students’ labs, organizing and guiding students’ discussion groups;
Administering and assessing assignments and laboratory work.

Forest Hydrology Field methods – Fall 2000

Teaching Assistant for Forest Hydrology Field methods course;
Assisting organization, supervision and field data collection for forest hydrology assignments set for undergraduate students at Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Boylston, Massachusetts;
Administering and assessing students’ labs, quizzes and exams.

University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – 1995 – 2000

Lecturer, Department of Geography

Responsibilities of position

Teaching physical geography courses to undergraduate students.
Conducting research related to physical resources, namely soil and water management and conservation, hydrology, geomorphology and tropical mountain sustainable management.
Conducting physical geography field courses concerning urban and peri-urban agriculture; environmental impact assessment for various activities taking place therein; natural resources endowments, management and conservation in rural Tanzanian regions with students from University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Liverpool University, UK.

Ministry of Agriculture, Tanzania – January 1988 – May 1995)

Agricultural Researcher, Horticulture Research and Training Institute, Arusha

Responsibilities of position

Assistant National Horticultural Research Coordinating Committee, with responsibility for organizing and assisting National Coordinator in convening annual meetings for Tanzania National Horticulture Research workshops and training programs.
Head of Agronomy section of Horticultural Research and Training Institute, Tengeru, Arusha, Tanzania with the role of coordinating annual meetings, research activities and training programs of the Institute
Conducting agricultural research concerning soil and water management and conservation for horticultural crops, and conducting outreach programs with agricultural extension workers.
Conducting environmental impact assessment related to urban agriculture and the societies living in these areas

Research Interests

Impact of changing land-use/cover and degradation on water resources available to rural and urban communities, with emphasis on various ecosystems, using GIS and remote sensing techniques and satellite data;
Human- environmental interactions, which involves natural resource availability, accessibility, degradation, management and conservation (sustainability assessment).
Environmental risks and hazards related to land degradation and extreme weather events

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Workshops and Training Attended

The impact of Changing Land Use and Cover on Water Resources on Tropical Mountain Ecosystems, April 2008 (to be presented) Association of American Geographers (AAG), Boston, MA
Designing Courses for Effective Student Learning, University of New Mexico, 2007
Teaching with “Clickers”, Office of Support for Effective Teaching, UNM – 2007
Success in the Classroom: Sharing Practices that work, Office of Support for Effective Teaching, UNM – 2007
Writing Measurable Learning Outcomes, Office of Support for Effective Teaching, UNM – 2007
Teaching with Clickers: A workshop for Implementing the Best Learning Opportunities with Classroom Response Systems, Office of Support for Effective Teaching, UNM – 2006
Land Use/Cover Change for Tropical Mountains, UNEP Sponsored Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya – 2002
Remote Sensing of Environment and Hands-on-GIS Training, 7 months, Brown University, Providence, RI - 1999
Remote Sensing Education for Educator, UN Sponsored Workshop, Stockholm, Sweden., 1998
Environment and Land Management, Applied Research Seminar, 6th The Southern African Development Community – Environment and Land Management Sector (SADC-ELMS) - 1997

Publications

Kisanga, D. R., A. Kuhn, and L. Lewis (2008): environments with scarce data, Helvetica, (IN PRESS)
Kisanga, D. R. (2005) Impact of Land use/cover change and landscape topography on natural dams aquatic life in the Worcester EcoTarium, Massachusetts. Consultation report submitted to the Hydrology and Landscape Study and Management Plan, Worcester EcoTarium Museums Improvement Program, Worcester, Massachusetts
Kisanga, D. R. 2003. Regard local sur le rôle des arbres dans la gestion des sols et de l’eau au Kilimandjaro. In: Bart, F.; M. J. Mbonile; and F. Devenne. Kilimandjaro, Montagne, Memoire, Modernite. Espaces Tropicaux No. 17. Presses Universitaires de Bordeaux”
Kisanga D. R. and S. S. Mwakalila. 1997. Songo Songo Soil Handling and Conservation. A Research Report Presented to the Songo Songo Gas-to-Electricity Project Environmental Studies Programme. Ocelot and TransCanada Pipeline (OTC) and The Centre for Energy, Environment, Science and Technology (CEEST).
Kisanga, D, R. 1997. Evaluation of the current land use and management practices in the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. A Research Report Presented as Part of a Scientific Research Programme on Reconstruction and Development in Kilimanjaro. Department of Geography, University of Dar es Salaam.
Kisanga, D. R. 1997. Environmental resources and degradation problems in the slopes of mount Kilimanjaro; Peoples' Perception and Awareness. A Research Report Presented as Part of a Scientific Research Programme on Reconstruction and Development in Kilimanjaro. Department of Geography, University of Dar es Salaam.
Kisanga, D. R. 1996. Land management and conservation for agricultural development in the Uluguru mountains. A paper presented at the Ruwenzori Scientific Conference, 15th to 16th April 1996, Kampala, Uganda.
Rugumamu, W. and D. R. Kisanga. 1997. Soil and Water Conservation: A Spatial-Institutional Approach to Sustainable Land Productivity. A paper presented at the 6th SADC-ELMS Applied Research Seminar in Environment and Land Management, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from April 21st - 25th 1997.
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Membership to Professional Societies

African Mountains Association;
Committee for Environmental Education and Communication (CEC) of the IUCN;
Association of American Geographers (AAG)
New Mexico Geographic Information Council, Inc.
Language Proficiency

English - fluent in speaking, writing, and reading (major language)
Kiswahili – fluent in speaking, writing, and reading (second language spoken in East, Central and southern Africa
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