Our differences are one of our greatest strengths
Our lab is built on a culture of collaboration and shared ambition, where individual growth and collective progress are seen as mutually reinforcing. We are committed to equity and inclusion and believe that research is strengthened by the diverse perspectives and experiences that each member brings. Through a commitment to mentorship and career development, the lab supports its members in building confidence while contributing to high-impact research.
Collaboration
Inclusion
Growth
Sabrina Li, PhD
UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, King’s AI+ Senior Academic Fellow, Associate Professor
Department of Geography, King’s College London
Abi Riley
Postdoctoral Research Associate
GeoAI | Spatial Epidemiology
Department of Geography,
King’s College London
Kyla Muñoz
Research Assistant
Spatial Epidemiology | Social Determinants of Health
Department of Geography, King’s College London
Jiaxi Yang
PhD Researcher
Health Geography | Geospatial Data Science
Department of Geography, King’s College London
Xinsu Lyu
PhD Researcher
Spatio-temporal Analysis and GeoAI | Environmental Health
School of Geography, University of Nottingham
Department of Geography, King’s College London
Philip Home
PhD Researcher
GIS and Spatial Analysis | Urban Geography and Mobility
School of Geography, University of Nottingham
Yue Zhan
Joint PhD Researcher in Geographical Sciences
Environmental Monitoring | Geospatial Modeling of Infectious Diseases
UNNC & IGSNRR, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shuting Zhai
PhD Researcher in Resources and Environment
Urban Geography and Socio-spatial Analysis | GIS
Sun Yat-sen University
Visiting PhD Student in the School of Geography, University of Nottingham
Collaborators
Alexander E. Zarebski, PhD
Assistant Research Professor
Donna Clarke, PhD, CGeog, Fellow of RGS
Principal Geospatial Data Scientist and Head of Geospatial Analytics, Research and Insights (GARI)
Would like to be part of GAHEL?
We are always looking for motivated and curious individuals to join our lab. If you are interested in exploring opportunities as a trainee, student, research assistant, or postdoctoral fellow, we encourage you to get in touch. Prospective lab members should contact Dr. Sabrina Li, providing a brief introduction of how your interests align with GAHEL and a copy of your CV. We look forward to hearing from you and potentially welcoming you to our lab!
How to apply
Send the documents below to sabrina.li@kcl.ac.uk
Sabrina Li, PhD
Dr Sabrina Li is a spatial epidemiologist and health geographer. Her work focuses on examining the complex interactions between human health and physical, social, and built environments, with a particular focus on how environmental and social contexts shape infectious disease transmission and risk. Sabrina has been recognised by Forbes Magazine as one of 30 under 30 in Science and Healthcare for Europe and by the British Science Association as an Awards Lecturer in Agricultural, Biological and Medical Sciences at the British Science Festival. Prior to joining King’s, Sabrina was Associate Professor in Quantitative Geography at the University of Nottingham. She holds a DPhil in Geography from the University of Oxford, a MSc (Research) in Geography and a BASc in Environmental Engineering, both from the University of Waterloo in Canada.
Kyla Muñoz
Kyla is a Research Assistant in GeoAI, Infectious Disease, and Health Equity. Her research interests include spatial epidemiology, social determinants of health, and novel data sharing methods. Prior to her current role, she was a syndromic surveillance epidemiologist for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. She earned a Master of Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Outside of public health, she enjoys running, reading, and spending time with her pets.
Jiaxi Yang
PhD Researcher
Jiaxi is a PhD student at King’s College London, interested in spatial epidemiology and health geography. Her doctoral research focuses on the spatial distribution of Lyme disease in the UK and the environmental and socio-spatial drivers shaping disease risk. Before starting her PhD, she obtained a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the National University of Singapore. She also holds Bachelor’s degrees from Hainan University and Arizona State University. Outside of research, Jiaxi enjoys films and TV series, especially detective and mystery genres.
Abi Riley, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Abi Riley is a current PhD candidate at the School of Public Health, Imperial College London, specialising in Bayesian hierarchical spatiotemporal modelling for environmental and health applications. Their doctoral research models long-term air pollution exposure across Greater London, examining effects on adolescent mental health and the role of urban greenspaces as an effect modifier. Abi’s broader interests sit at the intersection of spatiotemporal statistics, epidemiology, and environmental modelling, with a focus on identifying at-risk populations, uncertainty quantification, and visual science communication. Beyond research, they enjoy life drawing, playing board games, and vegan baking.
Isaac Bates
Joint PhD Researcher in Geographical Sciences
Isaac is a PhD researcher at King’s College London, utilising data and geospatial information to examine the relationship between the built environment and unequal health outcomes. His research will look to understand vulnerabilities to existing health threats and emerging pandemics, informing pandemic preparedness across the UK. Isaac moves into this role from almost 2 years in industry, working as an Assistant Hydraulic Modeller with AtkinsRéalis, delivering projects that reduce sewage overflow spills in order to protect environmental and public health. Prior to starting his PhD, Isaac had published a research paper that investigated social and environmental drivers of Yellow Fever during an 1857 epidemic in Lisbon, Portugal. Outside of work, Isaac enjoys going on walks, spending time with his dog, and watching football.
Yue Zhan
Joint PhD Researcher in Geographical Sciences
Yue Zhan is a joint PhD researcher in Geographical Sciences at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on avian influenza risk assessment and prediction, integrating spatial ecology, species distribution modelling, and global change analysis to understand how host redistribution and landscape transformation shape the spatial dynamics of avian influenza transmission.
Xinsu Lyu
PhD Researcher
Xinsu is a PhD candidate at University of Nottingham specializing in alcohol consumption patterns, online delivery platforms, novel big data applications, human mobility analysis, and spatial analytics. Her research focuses on utilizing emerging big data sets to investigate population trajectories, behaviors, and health and spatial inequalities. Prior to her doctoral studies, she worked as a product manager, contributing to the development of AI-driven smart city platforms. She is passionate about applying advanced data science techniques to address meaningful real-world challenges. Outside of research, Xinsu is a devoted cat person and a licensed skydiver – currently working towards her next certification, balancing cat cuddles with freefall.
Philip Home
PhD Researcher
Philip is a PhD candidate at the University of Nottingham, as funded by the EPSRC Geospatial System Centre for Doctoral Training. Philip has interests in spatial analysis, health geographies and mobility patterns. His research focusses on the interesection between nature and health, utilising crowdsourced and authoritative datasets in spatial modelling. In his spare time he enjoys mountain biking and hiking in the Peak District.
Shuting Zhai
PhD Researcher in Resources and Environment
Shuting is a visiting PhD student at the University of Nottingham and a PhD candidate at Sun Yat-sen University. Her research focuses on health geography and spatial epidemiology, with particular interests in dengue fever and multiple environmental health. She investigates how composite environmental exposures—including climatic, built, and socioeconomic factors—jointly influence the health outcomes and inequalities in health. Outside of research, Shuting enjoys skiing and taking care of her little green plants.