Dr. Zhe Zhang, associate professor in the department of Geography at Texas A&M University, and one of her graduate students, Siyu Lu, were recognized for their contributions to geographic information systems and geospatial science by “Women in GIS” (WiGIS), an international organization in the field. They received an award and scholarship respectively.
WiGIS supports women and allies working in GIS and geospatial fields. Founded to address professional barriers facing women in geospatial careers, Women in GIS provides mentorship, networking opportunities and professional development resources for those working across GIS-related fields. The organization aims to build a supportive global community while elevating the visibility and impact of women in geospatial science.
Zhang was awarded the Distinguished Contributions Award, which recognizes women who have made significant, long-term contributions through GIS and geospatial technology and whose work has had a lasting impact on the profession and society. Lu was one of two students selected to receive a $1,000 graduate scholarship, which supports students pursuing education and research in geospatial disciplines.
Zhang and Lu were honored at the organization’s 2026 Awards and Scholarships Program, presented in collaboration with Esri, a global leader in mapping and spatial analytics technology. At the 2026 Esri User Conference awards ceremony, their accomplishments were formally recognized alongside other award and scholarship recipients from around the world.