🌟 Introducing Myself: Geoscientist, GIS Enthusiast, and Aspiring Content Ambassador 🌍

[Leena_Abdulqader]

Hi everyone! I'm Leena Abdulqader🤠, a master’s student in geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin 🤘🏼🧡🐂. My research focuses on the tectonic and geochronological evolution of South Jordan using GIS and dating methods.

Before grad school, I worked at Esri as a technical support analyst, where I discovered my passion for applying GIS in earth science, education, and storytelling.

I recently published a blog post on the Esri YPN blog titled "Powering Connections," reflecting on my experience as a student assistant at the 2025 Energy Resources GIS Conference. You can read it here:
👉 Powering Connections—Esri YPN Blog

I'm hoping to continue contributing to this amazing community as a YPN Content Ambassador, and would love to connect with others who are passionate about GIS, fieldwork, and inclusive science.

🔗 Let’s connect: www.linkedin.com/in/leena-abdulqader

Feel free to reach out; I'd love to learn about your work and journey too!

Looking forward to engaging with you all!

[RonBurnsGISP-E]

Hi Leena, thanks for sharing your journey! Your work in South Jordan sounds fascinating, especially the integration of GIS with tectonics and geochronology. I appreciate how you’re using spatial tools to tell deeper earth science stories, something this field truly needs more of. Your blog post was a great read and highlighted the importance of community and collaboration in geospatial work. I’m excited to see your contributions as a YPN Content Ambassador and hope we can connect further. Always glad to meet others passionate about GIS and inclusive science.

[Leena_Abdulqader]

Thank you so much @RonBurnsGISP-E! 🙏I'm thrilled my blog post resonated with you. I'd love to connect more; meeting others passionate about GIS and inclusive science is always inspiring! :dizzy:

[RemaalRaaj]

Great to see you here, Leena! Your research on South Jordan’s tectonic evolution sounds fascinating. I also come from a geoscience background and now work as a Solution Consultant at Esri, helping geoscience organizations apply GIS in their work. It’s been an exciting journey blending earth science with geospatial tech. Looking forward to seeing more of your contributions to the community!

[Leena_Abdulqader]

Thank you so much @RemaalRaaj! Yay this is awesome! Could you please share more about how you ended up as a solution consultant with Esri? I'm exploring career options right now.

[SilviaIlacqua]

Hi Leena,here Silvia from Italy! I'm a geoscientist too with a master degree in geoscience and actually 1°year phd student in GIS Science in the Department of Geology of my university!🌏

Do you still deal with geological data in your current job at Esri, or do you also work with data of a different nature?

[Ibrahimishag]

Thank you for sharing your journey, Leena! I’m particularly interested in your work applying GIS to geosciences, especially in light of recent events—just a few weeks ago, a massive landslide in Jebel Marra tragically caused thousands of casualties

[dericksteinmann]

This is amazing !!! what algorithms would you use on earthquake prone areas? I live in California near the San Andreas fault and there are always small earthquakes over time these changes can be drastic in the tectonic  plates and might be unrecognizable to previous years maps. 

[emoreno]

Hi Leena! I really enjoyed reading this blog you wrote about your experience as Student Assistant for the ESRI 2025 UC. I attended the 2024 and 2025 User Conference and had a blast, it is such a great learning opportunity and I got a photo with Jack Dangermond at the YPN Social!

Likewise, I also attended the University of Texas at Austin where I finished my degree in Environmental Science from the Jackson School of Geosciences, and am now attending Texas State to pursuing a Master of Applied Geography in GIS. I would love to connect and continue to pursue the awesome work you are doing. Cheers! 🙂

Emily Moreno