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Chaosheng Zhang

Chair - Executive Committee

Professor

International Network for Environment and Health (INEH)
School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies, University of Galway, Ireland

chaosheng.zhang@universityofgalway.ie

+353-91-492375

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7913-4858

Research: GIS; Environmental geochemistry; Soil; Spatial analysis; Environment and Health; Medical Geology; Heavy metals. Specific topics: ·Spatial analysis in environmental geochemistry; ·Spatial outliers, hot spots and spatially varying relationships; ·Spatio-temporal variation of heavy metals, soil organic carbon, and soil nutrients; ·Spatial associations between environmental determinants and diseases; ·In-field variation of soil quality and nutrients.

Prof. Chaosheng Zhang is a Professor of Geography at the University of Galway, where he teaches courses in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He is the founding director and former head of the Ryan Institute GIS Centre. His academic expertise lies in both GIS and environmental geochemistry. Prof. Zhang’s research focuses on the spatial analysis of environmental variables, particularly the distribution of metals and nutrients in soils. By employing GIS, geostatistics, and other spatial statistical techniques, he identifies hotspots and quantifies spatial variations, providing a scientific foundation for improved environmental management, mineral exploration, precision agriculture, and public health.

Prof. Zhang has conducted research in various countries, including China, Sweden, the USA, Australia, Jamaica, and Ireland. In 2013, he was named a University Fellow at Hong Kong Baptist University. He has chaired and organized several internationally recognized conferences in the fields of environment, health, and GIS. Notable events include the SEGH 2010 International Conference and Workshops on Environmental Quality and Human Health, the SESEH 2012 Sino-European Symposium on Environment and Health, the ISEH 2016 & Geoinformatics 2016 Joint International Conference on Environment, Health, GIS, and Agriculture, and the Joint Conference of ISEH, ICEPH, and ISEG on Environment and Health in 2024.

Prof. Zhang has received serval awards, including the National Conference Ambassador Award from Fáilte Ireland in 2018, recognition as one of the “10 Leading Chinese Talents in Science and Technology in Europe” by the Federation of Chinese Professional Associations in Europe (FCPAE) in 2018, the Galway City Mayor’s Award in “Arts, Culture, Heritage & Cúrsaí Gaeilge” in 2021, and the “Distinguished Service Award” from the International Medical Geology Association in 2021.

Prof. Zhang holds the following international professional positions:

Chair, International Medical Geology Association (IMGA) (2023.8-)
Chair, ISEG (International Symposium on Environmental Geochemistry) International Board (www.nuigalway.ie/ineh) (2016-)
Founder: ISEH International Symposium on Environment and Health (2012-)
Member: IUGS Commission on “Global Geochemical Baselines” (2017-)
Past President of SEGH (2015.6-2017.10, Society for Environmental Geochemistry and Health)

Editorial positions in international journals: