RESEARCH
Dr. Luo's current research
focuses on terrestrial and Martian surface processes, GIS application in public
health and linguistic geography, and Web-based technology in enhancing teaching
and learning. Most of his research topics are interdisciplinary in nature and
involves collaboration with other researchers.
Specific areas include:
- mapping landslide
susceptibility based on historical inventory data; collaborator: Dr.
Cheng-Chien Liu, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan;
- testing early Mars climate from
global spatial distribution of valley network geomorphology (funded by
NASA); collaborator: Dr. Alan Howard, Planetary Science Institute, Dr. Bob
Craddock, Smithsonian Institution;
- estimating volume of water
needed to carve the valley networks on Mars (funded by NASA);
collaborator: Dr. Alan Howard, University of Virginia;
- creating Web-based Interactive
Landform Simulation Model - Grand Canyon (WILSIM-GC) and
associated curricular material for education (funded by NSF);
collaborators: Dr. Jon Pelletier, University of Arizona, Dr. Carol Ormond,
Carleton College, Dr. Kirk Duffin, NIU, Dr. Wei-Chen Hung, NIU;
- building a global GIS database
of drainage on Mars based on automatic valley network extraction algorithm
and machine learning techniques (funded by NASA); collaborator: Dr. Tomasz
Stepinski, University of Cincinnati;
- modeling the role of
groundwater seepage weathering in forming Martian valley networks and
analyzing their morphometric attributes to infer their origin and past
climate conditions (funded by NASA); collaborators: Dr. Alan Howard,
University of Virginia, Dr. Tomasz Stepinski, University of Cincinnati;
- deriving theoretical flood
potential from watershed topography; Collaborator: Dr. John Harlin;
- simulating landform evolution
using cellular automata model (funded by NSF, http://www.niu.edu/landform);
Collaborators: Dr. Kirk Duffin, Computer Science, NIU, Dr. Jay Stravers, Geology, NIU;
- applying GIS technology to
identify physician shortage areas (funded by HHS); Collaborators: Dr.
Fahui Wang, Louisiana State University, Dr. Carolinda
Douglass, Allied Health, NIU;
- using GIS to investigate the
spatial patterns of Tai place names, Tai language change, and their
relationship wet rice agriculture, and water resources in southern China
and southeast Asia (funded by NSF, http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/TaiLanguage/);
Collaborators: Dr. John Hartmann, Foreign Language, NIU, Dr. Fahui Wang,
LSU;
- developing models and modules
that will utilize NASA's EOS data through Web service technology for
higher education and research (http://geobrain.laits.gmu.edu/);
Collaborator: Dr. Liping Di, George Mason
University;
- involving high school teachers
and students in learning the process of scientific research using real NASA
data in a WebGIS environment; Collaborators: Dr.
Kathy Kitts, Dr. Wei-cheng Hung, Mr. Phil Young
and Mr. Rick Schwantes (all from NIU).
REFEREED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
In Print or online
�
Shao, Y. & Luo W. 2022, Supply-Demand Adjusted Two-Steps
Floating Catchment Area (SDA-2SFCA) Model for Measuring Spatial Access to
Health Care, Social Science and Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114727.
� Cang, X.
& Luo W. 2019, Noachian Climatic Conditions on Mars Inferred from
Valley Network Junction Angles, Earth and Planetary Science Letters,
526: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2019.115768.
� Luo, W.,
Howard, A., & Cang, X. 2019, Comment on "The volume of water
required to carve the Martian valley networks: Improved constraints using
updated methods." Icarus, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2019.05.023
� Liu C-C, Luo W, Chung H-W, Yin H-Y, Yan K-W. 2018,
Influences of the Shadow Inventory on a Landslide Susceptibility Model. ISPRS
International Journal of Geo-Information. 7(9):374. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7090374
� Luo, W.,
Smith, T. J., Whalley, K., Darling, A.,
Ormand, C., Hung, W. C, Chiang, J.L., Pelletier, J., Duffin, K., 2018,
Earth surface modeling for education: How effective is it? Four semesters of
classroom tests with WILSIM-GC. British Journal of Educational Technology.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12653
� Cang, X.
& Luo W. 2018, Spatial association detector (SPADE), International
Journal of Geographical Information Science, 32:10, 2055-2075, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13658816.2018.1476693
� Shrestha, A.
& Luo, W. 2018, Assessment of Groundwater Nitrate Pollution
Potential in Central Valley Aquifer Using Geodetector-Based
Frequency Ratio (GFR) and Optimized-DRASTIC Methods. ISPRS International
Journal of Geo-Information. 7(6), 211, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi7060211
- Shrestha, A. and Luo, W., 2017, Analysis of
Groundwater Nitrate Contamination in Central Valley: Comparison of Geodetector Method, Principal Component Analysis and
Geographically Weighted Regression, International Journal of
Geo-Information, doi:10.3390/ijgi6100297 (PDF).
- Wang, J., Cheng, W., Luo, W., Zheng X, and Zhou,
C., 2017, An Iterative Black Top Hat Transform Algorithm for the Volume
Estimation of Lunar Impact Craters, Remote Sensing, 9, 952,
doi:10.3390/rs9090952
- Shrestha, A. and Luo, W., 2017, An Assessment of
groundwater contamination in Central Valley aquifer, California using geodetector method, Annals of GIS, 23(3):
149-166, DOI:10.1080/19475683.2017.1346707
- Luo, W. and Liu, C.C., 2017, Innovative Landslide
Susceptibility Mapping Supported by Geomorphon
and Geographical Detector Methods, Landslides, DOI
10.1007/s10346-017-0893-9.
- Luo, W., Cang, and A. D. Howard, 2017, New Martian
Valley Network Volume Estimate Consistent with Ancient Ocean and Warm and
Wet Climate, Nature Communications, doi:10.1038/ncomms15766.
- Whalley, K. and Luo,
2017, The Pressure of Society on Water Quality: A
Land Use Impact Study of Lake Ripley in Oakland, Wisconsin. AIMS
Geosciences, 3(1): 14-36. doi:
10.3934/geosci.2017.1.14
- Allred, K. J., and Luo, 2016, Quantifying and predicting
the glacial extent using valley morphometry and data-mining
techniques, Annals of GIS, 1-12,
doi:10.1080/19475683.2016.1195873.
- Luo, W., Jasiewicz, J., Stepinski,
T., Wang, J., Xu, C., Cang, X., 2016, Spatial association
between dissection density and environmental factors over the entire
conterminous United States, Geophysical Research Letters, DOI:10.1002/2015GL066941.
- Luo, W., Pelletier, J. Duffin, K., Ormand, C., Hung, W.C., Shernoff, D., Zhai, X.,
Iverson, E., Whalley, K., Gallaher, C., Furness,
W., 2015, Advantages of computer simulation in enhancing
students' learning about landform evolution: A case study using the Grand
Canyon. Journal of Geoscience Education. 64,
60-73. DOI: 10.5408/15-080.1
- Liu , C. C., Luo, W.,
Chen, M. C., Lin, Y. T., Wen, H. L., 2015, A new region-based preparatory
factor for landslide susceptibility models: the total flux, Landslides,
DOI 10.1007/s10346-015-0620-3 (PDF)
- Allred, K.,J., Luo, W., 2015, Data-mining Based
Detection of Glaciers: Quantifying the Extent of Alpine Valley
Glaciation, AIMS Geosciences, v. 1, p. 1-18, doi: 10.3934/geosci.2015.1.1 (PDF)
- Baker, V. R., Burr, D., Gulick, V., Hamilton, C., Komatsu, G., Luo, W.,
Rice, J. W. Jr., Rodriguez, J. A. P., 2015, Fluvial Geomorphology of
Earth-like Planetary Surfaces: A Review, Geomorphology, v.
245, p. 149-182, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.05.002.
- Luo, W., T. Pingel, J. Heo, A.
Howard, J. Jung, 2015, A progressive black top hat transformation
algorithm for estimating valley volumes on Mars, Computers &
Geosciences, v. 75, p. 17-23, doi:10.1016/j.cageo.2014.11.003. (PDF)
- Allred, K.J., Luo,
M. Konen, B. B Curry, 2014, Morphometric analysis of ice-walled lake
plains in Northern Illinois: Implications of lake elongation by
wind-induced dual-cycle currents, Geomorphology, v. 220, p. 50-57, doi: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2014.05.022. (PDF)
- Luo, W., X. Li, L. Di, T. Stepinski, 2014, Webservice for stream extraction from digital
elevation model data, GeoJournal, v. 79, n. 2,
p. 183-193, doi:10.1007/s10708-013-9502-1. (PDF)
- Luo, W., and T. F. Stepinski, 2012, Orientation of valley
networks on Mars: The role of impact cratering, Geophysical Research
Letters, v. 39, L24201, doi:10.1029/2012GL054087.
(PDF)
- Luo, W., T. Whippo, 2012,
"Variable catchment sizes for the two-step floating catchment area
(2SFCA) method," Health & Place, v. 18, p. 789-795,
doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2012.04.002.
- Luo, W., D.T. Pederson, 2012, Hydraulic conductivity of the
High Plains Aquifer re-evaluated using surface drainage patterns, Geophysical
Research Letters, v. 39, L02402, doi:10.1029/2011GL050200.
(PDF)
- Wang, F., Wang, G., Hartmann,
J., Luo, W., 2011, "Sinification of Zhuang place names in
Guangxi, China: a GIS-based spatial analysis approach", Transactions
of the Institute of British Geographers, doi:
10.1111/j.1475-5661.2011.00471.x. (PDF)
- Luo, W., B. Grudzinski, and D.
Pederson, 2010, Estimating hydraulic conductivity for the Martian
subsurface based on drainage patterns - A case study in the Mare Tyrrhenum Quadrangle,� Geomorphology,
doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.10.018. (PDF)
- Luo, W., B. Grudzinski, and D.
Pederson, 2010, Estimating hydraulic conductivity from drainage patterns
derived from a DEM - A case study in the Oregon Cascades, Geology,
v. 38, n. 4, p. 335-338, doi: 10.1130/G30816.1 (PDF).
- Luo, W., F. Wang, J. Hartmann, 2010, Terrain Characteristics
of Watershed Basins Containing Tai Place Names, GeoJournal,
v. 75, p. 93-104, doi:10.1007/s10708-009-9291-8.
(PDF)
- Luo, W., and T. F. Stepinski, 2009, Computer-generated global
map of valley networks on Mars, Journal of Geophysical Research,
114, E11010, doi:10.1029/2009JE003357. (PDF)
- Luo, W. and Y. Qi, 2009, An enhanced two-step floating
catchment area (E2SFCA) method for measuring spatial accessibility to
primary care physicians, Health & Place, v. 15, p. 1100-1107,
doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2009.06.002. (PDF)
- Luo, W. and T. F. Stepinski, 2008, Identification of
geologic contrasts from landscape dissection pattern: an application to
Cascade Range, Oregon, Geomorphology. v. 99, p. 90-98,
10.1016/j.geomorph.2007.10.014. (PDF)
- Luo, W., and A. D. Howard, 2008, "Computer simulation of
the role of groundwater seepage in forming Martian valley
networks," Journal of Geophysical Research, v. 113,
E05002, doi:10.1029/2007JE002981. (PDF)
- Kitts, K., Luo,
W.C. Hung, 2008, "Did it ever rain on Mars? A Professional
Development Opportunity for Teachers and an Actual NASA Research
Opportunity for Middle and High School Students," The Earth
Scientist, v. 27, n. 2, p. 17-20.
- Luo, W., Just-in-Time-Teaching (JiTT)
Improves Students' Performance in Classes - My adaptation of JiTT in 4 Geography Courses, Journal of
Geoscience Education, v. 56, n.2, p. 166-172. (PDF)
- Luo, W. and M. Konen, 2007, New results from from Using a Web-based Interactive Landform Simulation
Model (WILSIM) in a General Education Physical Geography Course, Journal
of Geoscience Education, v. 55, n5, n.5, p. 423-425 (PDF).
- Luo, W., J. Hartmann, P. Huang, J. Liu, 2007, Geographic
Patterns of Zhuang [Tai] Kinship Terms in Guangxi and Border Areas in
Southern China: A GIS Analysis of Language and Culture Change, Social
and Cultural Geography, v. 8, n. 4, p. 575-596. (PDF)
- Wang, F., J.H. Hartmann, Luo,
P. Huang, GIS-based Spatial Analysis of Tai Place Names in Southern
China: An Exploratory Study of Methodology, Geographic
Information Sciences, v. 12, n. 1, p. 1-9. (PDF)
- Luo, W., and T. F. Stepinski (2006), Topographically derived
maps of valley networks and drainage density in the Mare Tyrrhenum quadrangle on Mars, Geophysical
Research Letters, 33, L18202, doi:10.1029/2006GL027346. (PDF)
- Luo, W., Peronja, E., Duffin, K., Stravers, A. J., 2006, Incorporating Nonlinear Rules
in a Web-based Interactive Landform Simulation Model (WILSIM), Computers
and Geosciences, v. 32, n. 9, p. 1512-1518 (doi:
10.1016/j.cageo.2005.12.012). (PDF)
- Luo, W., and A. D. Howard, 2005, Morphometric Analysis of
Martian Valley Network Basins Using a Circularity Function, Journal
of Geophysical Research, v. 110, E12S13, doi:10.1029/2005JE002506.
(PDF).
- Luo, W., Stravers, J., and K.
Duffin, 2005, Lessons Learned from Using a Web-based Interactive Landform
Simulation Model (WILSIM) in a General Education Physical Geography
Course, Journal of Geoscience Education, v. 53, n. 5, p.
489-493. (PDF).
- Wang, F. and Luo,
2005, Assessing Spatial and Nonspatial Factors
for Healthcare Access in Illinois: Towards an Integrated Approach to
Defining Health Professional Shortage Areas, Health and Place,
v. 11, n. 2, p. 131-146 (doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2004.02.003). (PDF)
- Luo, W., F. Wang, and C. Douglass, 2004, Temporal Changes of
Access to Primary Health Care in Illinois (1990-2000) and Policy Implications, Journal
of Medical Systems. v. 28, n. 3, p. 287-299. (PDF)
- Luo, W., K.L. Duffin, E. Peronja,
J.A. Stravers, and G.M. Henry, 2004, A
Web-based Interactive Landform Simulation Model (WILSIM), Computers
and Geosciences. v. 30, n. 3, p. 215-220. (scanned PDF)
- Luo, W., 2004, Using a GIS-based Floating Catchment Method to
Assess Areas with Shortage of Physicians, Health and Place,
v. 10, n. 1, p. 1-11. (PDF)
- Luo, W. and F. Wang, 2003, Measures of Spatial
Accessibility to Healthcare in a GIS Environment: Synthesis and a Case
Study in Chicago Region, Environment and Planning B: Planning
and Design 2003, v. 30, n .6, p. 865 - 884. (PDF)
- Luo, W. and J.M. Harlin, 2003, A Theoretical Travel Time based
on Watershed Hypsometry, Journal of American Water Resources
Association, v.39, n. 4, 785-792. (PDF)
- Luo, W., 2002, Hypsometric Analysis of Margaritifer
Sinus and Origin of Valley Networks, Journal of Geophysical Research
- Planets, v. 107, n. 10, p. 1-1~1-10, doi:10.1029/2001JE001500.
(PDF)
- Luo, W., 2001, LANDSAP: A Coupled Surface and Subsurface
Cellular Automata Model for Landform Simulation, Computers and
Geosciences, v. 27, n.3, 363-367. (PDF)
- Luo W., J.F. Hartmann, J. Li, and V. Sysamouth,
2000, GIS Mapping and Analysis of Tai Linguistic and Settlement Pattern
of Southern China, Geographic Information Sciences, v. 6, n.
2, p. 129-136. (PDF)
- Harlin, J. and Luo,
2000, Predicting Time to Hydrograph Peak from Basin Energy Potential: A
Hypsometric Approach, Papers and Proceedings of the Applied
Geography Conferences, v. 23: p. 224-229.
- Luo, W., 2000, Quantifying Groundwater Sapping Processes
with a Hypsometric Analysis Technique, Journal of Geophysical
Research - Planets, v. 105, n. 1, p. 1685-1694. (PDF)
- Luo, W., 1998, The Automation of Hypsometric Analysis with a
Geographic Information System (GIS), Computers and Geosciences,
v. 24, n.8, p. 815-821.
- Luo, W., R.E. Arvidson, M. Sultan,
R. Becker, M.K. Crombie, N. Sturchio, Z.E. Alfy, 1997, Groundwater Sapping Processes, Western
Desert, Egypt, Geological Society of America Bulletin, January,
v. 109, n. 1, p. 43-62. (PDF)
- Arvidson, R.E., R. Becker, A. Shanabrook, Luo,
N. Sturchio, M. Sultan, Z. Lofty, A.M. Mahmoud
and Z.E. Alfy, 1994, Eustatic
Sea Level and Tectonic Controls on Quaternary Landscapes, Red Sea Coast,
Eastern Desert, Egypt, Journal of Geophysical Research Solid
Earth, v. 99, n. 6, p. 12175-12190. (PDF)
REFEREED BOOK CHAPTERS
- Luo, W., J. Hartmann, F. Wang, H. Pingwen,
V. Sysamouth, J. Li, and X. Cang, 2017, GIS in
Comparative-Historical Linguistics Research: Tai Languages, in Reference
Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Elsevier.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-409548-9.09663-9
- 王法辉、罗卫、程杨,2015,�就医便捷度的度量、影响与优化�,《地理空间分析在健康领域的应用》(施讯、王法辉编),高等教育出版社,183-209 页
- 罗卫、依玛木.西尔艾力、王法辉, 2015,�美国缺医区划分的实践与改进前景�,《地理空间分析在健康领域的应用》(施讯、王法辉编),高等教育出版社,227-246 页
- Hartmann, J.F., Luo,
and V. Sysamouth, 2010, "Tai Participation
in the Spread of Rice Agriculture in Asia," in Rice Origin, Antiquity
and History, edited by S. D. Sharma, CRC press, 580p.
- Luo, W. and F. Wang, 2003, Spatial Accessibility to Primary
Care and Physician Shortage Area Designation: A Case Study in Illinois
with GIS Approaches, in Geographic Information Systems &
Health Applications, edited by R. Skinner and O. Khan., Idea Group
Publishing, Hershey, PA, pp 260-278.
- Wang, F. and Luo,
2005, GIS-Based Accessibility Measures and Application, in Encyclopedia
of Information Science and Technology, edited by M. Khosrow-Pour, Idea Group Reference, Hershey, PA, p.
1284-1287.
FUNDED RESEARCH PROJECTS
07/21 - 06/24 PI, Testing
early Mars climate from global spatial distribution of valley network
geomorphology, NASA - Mars Data Analysis Program (grant # 80NSSC21K1087,
$335,069)
06/13 - 08/17 PI, Estimating
Global Volume of Excavation by Fluvial Processes on Mars: Inferring Volume of
Water and Its Implications, NASA - Mars Data Analysis Program
(grant # NNX13AK65G, $290,905)
08/12 - 08/16 PI (with Co-I Jon
Pelletier at University of Arizona), WILSIM2, The Next Generation Landform
Simulator, NSF Transforming Undergraduate Education in
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Program (TUES) (award #
DUE-1140375, $236,031, NIU portion)
05/08 - 05/12 PI (with Co-I
Tomasz Stepinski at Lunar and Planetary Inst.), Global GIS Database of Drainage
on Mars, NASA Mars Data Analysis Program ($353,401)
09/06 - 02/11 Co-PI (with PI
John F. Hartmann and Co-PI Fahui Wang), A Regional Approach to Spatial Analysis
of Tai Toponyms in Southern China and Southeast Asia
Using GIS, NSF Human and Social Dynamics ($124,963)
02/04 - 01/09 Co-PI (with PI Liping Di at George Mason Univ.), Mobilization of NASA EOS
Data and Information through Web Services and Knowledge Management Technologies
for Higher Education Teaching and Research, NASA Earth
Science REASoN: Research, Education and Applications
Solutions Network: A Distributed Network of Data and Information Providers for
Earth Science Enterprise Science, Applications and Education ($70,000,
subcontract)
05/05 - 05/08 PI (with Co-I
Kathy Kitts), MARS Valley Networks Project: Martian Valley Network Analysis
Run-off or Sapping? NASA Education and Public Outreach
(E/PO) program ($30,000)
05/04 - 05/08 PI (with Collaborators
Alan Howard at Univ. of Virginia and Ray Arvidson at
Washington Univ.), Comprehensive Morphometric Analysis of Martian Valley
Network Basins: Evaluating Relative Role of Groundwater Sapping vs. Surface
Runoff, NASA - Mars Data Analysis Program ($187,032)
03/02 - 02/04 Principal
Investigator (with Kirk Duffin and Jay Stravers),
Web-Based Interactive Simulation of Landform Evolution, Course, Curriculum
and Laboratory Improvement (CCLI) program, National Science Foundation
($75,000)
09/01 - 08/03 Principal
Investigator (with Fahui Wang and Carolinda Douglas),
Primary Care Physician Shortage & Spatial Accessibility, Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Department of Health and Human Services
($100,000)
06/00 - 05/01 Principal
Investigator, Physician Shortage Area and Health Care Accessibility: A GIS
approach, NIU-Social Science Research Institute, Faculty Fellowship for
2000-2001 ($11,956)
OTHER LINKS:
Web-based Interactive Landform
Simulation Model - Cellular Automata (WILSIM-CA) http://www.niu.edu/landform (funded
by NSF).
Web-based Interactive Landform
Simulation Model - Grand Canyon (WILSIM-GC) http://serc.carleton.edu/landform (funded
by NSF).
Press release about Dr. Luo's
NASA grant
http://www.niutoday.info/2013/06/13/niu-geopgraphy-professor-wei-luo-lands-nasa-grant-to-help-quantify-mars-watery-past/
Press release about Dr. Luo's
research supporting the northern Martian Ocean hypothesis http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASES/2009/nov/mars.shtml
Press release about Dr. Luo's
NASA grant at http://www.niu.edu/PubAffairs/RELEASES/2004/april/marsresearch.shtml
An article about Dr. Luo and
Dr. Hartmann's collaborative research on Linguistic Geography at http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Study/TaiLanguage/
Last updated 7/14/2022.