Kristen S. Kurland

In addition to her academic appointments, Professor Kurland served as President of Carnegie Mellon University’s Andrew Carnegie Society and, as its President, was a University Trustee from 2014-2016.

She is the chair of the Geographical Geospatial Science Committee of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She also serves on the National Academy of Sciences Board on Earth Sciences and Resources.

Professor Kurland's research focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations in health, the built environment, geospatial analysis, and 3D data visualization. She works closely with CMU colleagues and students on projects addressing equity, health, urban design, economic development, sustainability, big data, and smart cities issues. She actively collaborates with healthcare, non-profit, and industry organizations in Pittsburgh and worldwide.

Her teaching includes Building Information Modeling (BIM), Computer Aided Design (CAD), 3D visualization, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). At the Heinz College, she also teaches Enterprise Data Analytics to executive physicians in the Master of Medical Management (MMM) program, Health GIS to Public Policy Management, Health Care Analytics, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center medical students, and residents and fellows. She is a faculty advisor for CMU students and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Quality Improvement and Safety projects. She has a strong interest in distance education and has been teaching through this medium since 1999.

She is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2020 Carlow University Women of Spirit award; the 2012 Esri Health Communications Award; the 2005 Heinz College Martcia Wade Teaching Award; the 1998, 2000, and 2003 ARCHIBUS, Inc., Outstanding Educator Award; and the 2004 Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), Special Achievement in GIS Award.

Kristen Kurland is also the co-author of a series of best-selling GIS workbooks that are used by universities, colleges, and self-learners including GIS Tutorial for Health and GIS Jumpstart for Health Professionals. She is a keynote speaker at conferences nationally and internationally. Her accomplishments were the focus of chapter in a recent book by Esri Press highlighting twenty-two global women of influence in GIS.