PhD in Applied Geology · GIS & Remote Sensing Specialist · Bridging geospatial intelligence with environmental science for real-world impact.
I am Dr. Aran Castro A J, an Earth Scientist holding a PhD in Applied Geology from Annamalai University. My work sits at the intersection of geospatial data science, hydrological modelling, and environmental hazard assessment.
As Research Coordinator at the Integrated Centre for Water Management (ICWM), Kochi, and GIS Manager at Geospatial Campus, I lead industrial geospatial projects, train the next generation of GIS professionals, and contribute to water management research across India.
From mapping drought vulnerability in Somalia to modelling landslide susceptibility in the Western Ghats, my research traverses scales and geographies — always grounded in rigorous spatial analysis and driven by real-world application.
Annamalai University, 2022
Water management research & spatial analysis, Kochi
Industrial projects, student training & geospatial solutions
Geospatial automation, data processing & scripting
Landslide, fire risk, and multi-criteria hazard zonation
Groundwater, water quality, and hydrological modelling
Erosion, vulnerability, and geomorphological assessment
Heat islands, sprawl dynamics, and thermal comfort
Wildlife corridors, carbon mapping, and land change
RF, SVM, and AI-driven spatial prediction models
Invited as Resource Person at the National Workshop hosted by the Department of Applied Geology, University of Madras — presenting on the integration of GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial AI for Earth science research.
5+ peer-reviewed publications spanning GIS, remote sensing, hydrogeology, soil erosion, coastal geomorphology, and machine learning in Earth sciences.
A book exploring how thinking frameworks, not just tools, drive impactful GIS research. Available on Amazon Kindle.
3 published books on Amazon with 2 additional digital and print editions currently in draft phase, covering geospatial sciences and Earth science communication.
National workshop “Maps, Machines, and Meaning” at the University of Madras (March 2026) — presenting on GIS, remote sensing, and geospatial AI.
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Open to research collaborations, consulting engagements, training invitations, and academic partnerships.