Yilei Yu

I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Rice University’s Center for Coastal Futures & Adaptive Resilience (CFAR). I study how flood risk, wealth inequality, and social/economic vulnerability interact to shape community resilience across multi-hazard contexts (e.g., flooding, extreme heat, storms, and industrial releases).

My research, at the intersection of spatial data science and built environment, currently focuses on:

1. Built environment and flood vulnerability

2. Wealth inequality, disaster losses, and financial vulnerability

3. Toxic flood exposures, health disparities, and environmental justice

4. Interactive mapping (storm tracks with health exposure) and decision support for local resilience

I integrate large-scale spatial data, GIS, remote sensing, and data visualization to inform equitable hazard adaptation. To bridge my background in Architecture (B.S.) and Urban Planning (M.S.), I earned my PhD in Geographic Information Science from the School of Geographic Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University. I’m passionate about translating complex spatial analysis into actionable insights through research, teaching, and StoryMaps.