Abdiqafar Mohamed

My work turns unstructured spatial and other data into actionable insights.

I am a graduate student in the Master of Geomatics for Environmental Management (MGEM) program at the University of British Columbia. My path to geospatial science spans two continents and two distinct careers. I began with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Nairobi, then built over a decade of experience coordinating humanitarian and development projects across East Africa. Working with organisations such as the United Nations and the Canadian Red Cross, I focused on crisis response, community resilience, nonprofit programme management, and monitoring and evaluation. I also hold a Master of Arts in Monitoring and Evaluation from Daystar University.

That field experience sharpened my understanding of what data can reveal—and its limitations—and led me naturally to geospatial science. After completing an Advanced Diploma in GIS Applications at Vancouver Island University, I now work with tools like ArcGIS Pro, Google Earth Engine, R, and Python to analyse satellite imagery, model ecological systems, and build spatial workflows that support real decisions. My current research explores ecological connectivity and biodiversity within urbanised landscapes, with a focus on how private lands in Metro Vancouver can contribute to a functional green network across an increasingly fragmented region.

Outside of my studies, I enjoy exploring Vancouver's trails, connecting with people passionate about using data for good, and reflecting on how cities can be designed to support both people and nature. Feel free to explore my work using the navigation above—and do not hesitate to reach out.