Ruopu Li | SIU

Geography and Environmental Resources

Dr. Li's research centers on the Geoinformatics for Food-Energy-Water (GeoFEW). His specific research topics include Water Resources Modeling and Management, Food-Energy-Water Nexus, Social-Hydrological Systems, Energy Geography, and Smart and Connected Communities. His research methods involve geospatial artificial intelligence, social media data mining, multispectral drones, and community surveys.

Education

Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln             
M.S., Tianjin University
B.S., Nankai University

Selection Of Courses Taught

GEOG 401/502: Geographic Information Systems
GEOG 420/520: Advanced GIS Studies
GEOG 417/517: GIS Programming

Recent Publications

Edidem, M., R. Li^*, D. Wu, B. Rekabdar, G. Wang. 2025. GeoAI-based Drainage Crossing Detection for Elevation-derived Hydrographic Mapping. Environmental Modelling and Software. 106338

Wu, D., R. Li^*, M. Edidem, G. Wang. 2024, Enhancing Hydrologic LiDAR Digital Elevation Models: Bridging Hydrographic Gaps at Fine Scales. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 60(6), 1253-1269.

Chindia, B., R. Li^*, L.A. Duram, J. Schoof, H. Henson, W. Williams. 2024. Navigating Barriers to Success for Community College Science Students: A Review of Transfer Challenges. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice 24(10), 149.

Nikolic-Khatatbeh, J., J. Crowe, R. Li^*. 2024. Navigating Telehealth Challenges: Rural Perspectives on Technology Access and Trust. Journal of Rural and Community Development. 19(2), 167–180.

Crowe, J., J. Nikolic-Khatatbeh, R. Li^*. 2024. The Digital Health Divide: Understanding Telehealth Adoption Across Racial Lines in Rural Illinois. Social Science & Medicine – Population Health. 26, 101665.

Chen, X., K. Chen, M. Wang, R. Li^*, 2023. Roles of Wireless Networks in Bridging the Rural Smart Infrastructural Divide. Infrastructures. 8(11), 159.

Wu, D., R. Li^*, C. Talbert, M. Edidem, B. Rekabdar, G. Wang. 2023. Classification of Drainage Crossings on High-resolution Digital Elevation Models: A Deep Learning Approach. GIScience & Remote Sensing. 60:1, 

Wu, D., R. Li^*, J. Liu, N. Khan. 2023. Monitoring Algae Blooms in Small Lakes Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A Case Study in Southern Illinois. Journal of Contemporary Water Research & Education. 177.

Li, R.^*, M.M. Rahaman, L. Zhao, Z. Tang. 2021. Assessing Social Media Communication of Local Governments in Fast-growing U.S. Cities. The Professional Geographer. 73(4), 702-712.

Bhadra, S., R. Li^*, D. Wu, G. Wang, B. Rekabdar. 2021. Assessing the Roles of Anthropogenic Drainage Structures on Hydrologic Connectivity Using High-resolution Digital Elevation Models. Transactions in GIS. 25(5), 2596-2611.

Alam, S., M. Gebremichael, R. Li, J. Dozier, D. Lettenmaier. 2020. Can Managed Aquifer Recharge Mitigate the Groundwater Overdraft in California’s Central Valley? Water Resources Research 56(8), e2020WR027244.

Li, R.^*, K. Chen, and D. Wu. 2020. Challenges and Opportunities to Cope with Smart Divide in Rural America. Annals of the American Association of Geographers 110(2), 559-570.

Crowe, J., R. Li^*. 2020. Is the Just Transition Socially Accepted? Energy History, Place, and Support for Coal and Solar in Illinois, Texas, and Vermont. Energy Research & Social Science 59, 101309.

Recent Grants

PI, $300,000, EAGER: CHIRRP: Responding to Groundwater Depletion and Building Resilience by Examining Emerging Social-Environmental-Technical Structures. 09/2024 – 08/2026. Co-PI: C. Quinn, K. Akamani, S. Hu. awarded by National Science Foundation.

PI, $1,333,329, Converging Earth Science and Sustainability Education and Experience to Prepare Next-Generation Geoscientists. 01/2023- 12/2027, Co-PIs: H. Henson, L. Duram, J. Schoof, W. Williams. awarded by National Science Foundation.

Co-PI, $201,262, Collaborative Research: CyberTraining: Pilot: Research Workforce Development for Deep Learning Systems in Advanced GPU Cyberinfrastructure. 12/2022-11/2024, PI: T. Shu, National Science Foundation.

Co-PI, $100,000, HAB Early Mitigation by Magnetic Photocatalysts (Stage II). 07/01/2022-06/30/2024, PI: J. Liu, awarded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

PI, $278,812, EAGER: SAI: Bridging the Smart Divide in Rural America by Understanding the Interplay of ICTs and Social Infrastructures. 09/01/2021-8/31/2023, Co-PI: J. Crowe, K. Chen, National Science Foundation.

Co-PI, $24,991, HAB Early Mitigation by Magnetic Photocatalysts. 12/01/2020-11/30/2021, PI: J. Liu, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Co-PI, $209,015, Using Multispectral Platforms to Manage Soybean Cyst Nematode. 09/01/2020-8/31/2023, PI: J. Bond, awarded by Illinois Soybean Association.

PI, $170,718, Enhancing High-resolution Terrain Data Model for Improving the Delineation of Multi-scale Hydrological Connectivity. 06/01/2010-11/30/2022, Co-PI: B. Rekabdar, G. Wang, National Science Foundation.

PI, $145,900, Characterization of Groundwater Recharge Dynamics in the Unsaturated Zone Using Hydrologic Models in the Central Platte River Basin. 06/01/2018-02/29/2020, CO-PI: Gengxin Ou, Central Platte Natural Resources District.