Ecoinformatics lets student explore science in nature
Texas A&M doctoral student Justinn Jones uses tech and data to reveal nature's hidden patterns
Justinn Jones never imagined a career that would let him combine his love for the outdoors with his interest in technology. His background is in ecology — identifying trees, tracking wildlife, and studying how habitats change — but he’s always been drawn to technology and the analytical side of science.
Now a doctoral student in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Jones studies ecoinformatics, an emerging field that combines environmental science with data to answer complex questions about the natural world.
“I want students to see that you don’t have to choose between being outdoors and being behind a computer,” Jones said. “You can do both with ecoinformatics.”
That combination of curiosity and cutting-edge technology drives his work as he uses data to study wildlife movement, land-use changes and climate patterns. By turning field observations into digital insight, Jones helps researchers predict how ecosystems respond to human activity and environmental change.
What is ecoinformatics?
If ecology studies life and computer science manages information, ecoinformatics brings the two together. It uses big data, coding and modeling tools to investigate how ecosystems function and how they might change over time.
Jones said the potential impact of ecoinformatics is what drew him in. Before beginning his doctoral program, he worked in private consulting and saw how data could bridge the gap between observation and action.
“We’re able to take massive amounts of information, like satellite images, weather patterns and animal movement data, and turn that into something meaningful,” he said. “It’s the kind of work that can guide conservation and influence how we manage natural resources.”
He works under Sorin Popescu, Ph.D., professor of remote sensing, who mentors students exploring how advanced technologies such as remote sensing, machine learning and geographic information systems, or GIS, can support conservation research.
Data with a purpose
Study ecoinformatics.
Interested in blending ecology, data and technology? Explore how ecoinformatics prepares students to study ecosystems using real-world data.
Jones’ research focuses on how environmental data can improve conservation strategies across Texas and beyond. Using statistical models and computer simulations, he studies how changes in land use affect species distribution and ecosystem health.
One project maps the overlap between wildlife habitats and agricultural development to find ways they can coexist sustainably.
“It’s exciting because it’s applied,” he said. “You can see how your work connects to real people, real communities and real landscapes.”
While ecoinformatics involves technical skills, Jones said it’s not limited to coders.
“It’s for anyone who’s curious about how nature works and wants to use technology to make a difference,” he said. “If you like both science and problem-solving, there’s a place for you here.”
