Ging-Yan Ho

• Field and focus area of study: Integrative Plant Science, Geospatial Applications
• Hometown: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Fun fact: I prefer the artificial strawberry flavor over the fresh one
• Favorite place at Cornell: Mann Library
• Interests and hobbies outside of schoolwork: I enjoy spending time at cozy coffee shops, reading books, journaling, or just doing my own thing. I also like playing basketball whenever I get the chance

What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

In the short term, I hope to work in a role where I can apply geospatial technologies to support environmental monitoring, land management, or urban sustainability projects. I’m particularly interested in using spatial data to better understand the relationship between people and nature in changing environments. In the long term, I hope to bring the experience and knowledge I’ve gained abroad back to Taiwan, where I can contribute to local initiatives. I’m especially interested in working with under-resourced communities, whether in rural areas where resource management is critical, or in urban settings where geospatial tools can support sustainable development and urban forestry efforts. Ultimately, I hope to help create more resilient and inclusive communities through my work.

What were the biggest obstacles you had to overcome in order to participate in the program? 

One of the biggest challenges I faced was the language barrier. As an international student, it took time to get used to the pace of academic discussions and feel confident expressing my thoughts in English. Another obstacle was time management. With a heavy course load and several ongoing projects, I had to learn to let go of perfectionism and focus on prioritizing what truly mattered. Lastly, I struggled with self-doubt, especially at the beginning when everything felt new and overwhelming. But through support from faculty, peers, and my own small wins along the way, I gradually learned to trust myself more.

What are the strengths of the CALS MPS degree program? 

One of the key strengths of the CALS MPS program is how supportive the environment is. Faculty, advisors, and even administrative staff are always approachable and willing to help - whether it’s academic guidance, technical support, or career advice. The program is also highly flexible and practical. It allows students to tailor their learning toward their own interests and career goals.

What words would you use to describe the CALS MPS degree program? 

I would describe it as diverse, supportive, and full of possibilities. The diversity of the program really stands out not just in terms of the subjects we study, but also in the people we meet. I’ve had the chance to connect with classmates from many different backgrounds, departments, and even countries. Hearing their stories and perspectives makes me feel that there’s no single “right path”, everyone brings something valuable, and anything feels possible.

What were some of the most rewarding moments while in your program?

One of the most rewarding moments for me was during one-on-one meetings with my advisor. His trust and encouragement helped me gain confidence, especially when I started to feel that I was truly working on something meaningful. It made me look forward to the moment I could complete the project and be proud of what I had accomplished. Another fulfilling moment came during the spring semester, when I looked back and realized how far I had come - not just in understanding course materials and assignments, but also in feeling more at ease communicating in English, participating in class discussions, and navigating life at Cornell. These moments made me realize that many of the things I used to find difficult were actually within reach, and that I was gradually becoming more confident, capable, and connected to the community

What advice would you give to your younger self embarking on the journey of graduate school? 

Don’t stress too much. You’re not supposed to have everything figured out yet. It’s about learning, not being perfect from day one. It’s okay to feel lost sometimes, or to not understand everything right away.  As long as you stay open, keep trying, and focus on progress rather than perfection, you’ll be surprised by how much you can do!

How has your MPS experience changed you, both personally and professionally? 

Personally, I’ve learned how to prioritize my time, manage stress, and build confidence, especially as an international student adjusting to a new environment. Professionally, I’ve gained hands-on skills in tools like ArcGIS Pro, QGIS and Google Earth Engine, and I now feel more capable of applying them to real-world environmental problems. I also have a clearer understanding of what kind of work motivates me and where I see myself making an impact.

Why are you interested in Geospatial Application?

Because of its ability to address environmental problems at a larger scale. I also appreciate how flexible it is that it can be applied to a wide range of topics, from conservation to urban planning. What I find especially interesting is the process of turning raw or tabular data into something visual and intuitive. Seeing patterns emerge on a map helps me better understand the story behind the data, and I find that both powerful and exciting.

How has pursuing an MPS helped your understanding of Geospatial Application? The future of Geospatial Application? 

The MPS program gave me a more hands-on and interdisciplinary view of Geospatial Application. Taking a GIS course from the City Regional Planning  department and having some guest lectures helped me see how widely these tools can be used. II also learned a lot from classmates with different backgrounds, it made me realize that geospatial thinking shows up in many fields, not just environmental science. Now I feel more certain that this is a path I want to keep exploring.

What are the biggest challenges you want to tackle in the world?

I hope to contribute to more effective habitat protection. Although restoration often lags behind environmental degradation, I believe geospatial techniques can help—either by raising public awareness or by providing clearer insights into the ongoing impacts of climate change.

What has been the most memorable or impactful part of being in the Integrative Plant Science MPS program? 

Being a part of Dr. Katz’s lab. The lab’s environment is warm and encouraging, and I’ve learned so much from hearing others share their work. I especially remember one moment when I was feeling lost, my advisor told me that I belong here and that he believes in me. That simple sentence stayed with me, and has continued to give me strength through later challenges.

Describe your education / career path and how that led you to pursue a Cornell Integrative Plant Science MPS degree program. 

I studied Forestry in undergrad and became curious about geospatial tools while helping with research on species distribution. Later, I joined a lab working on soil seed banks, where I started thinking more about how data and ecology connect. I realized I wanted to build stronger technical skills, but still hoped for something applied rather than research-heavy. That’s how I found the MPS program.

What Cornell / Integrative Plant Science MPS resources have been most helpful? 

I really appreciate the people here, whether it’s my advisor, professors, or staff, they’re always approachable and willing to help. Their support has made a big difference. I also found the career services helpful, especially for resume building, networking, and job search guidance.

How has learning from faculty experts changed your perspective on Geospatial Application? 

I used to see Geospatial Application as a specific subject, but now I see it as a powerful tool that can support many different fields. I realized that combining geospatial skills with domain knowledge, like forestry, urban planning, or natural resources management, makes it even more valuable.

Share about your capstone project.

My capstone project focuses on modeling tree phenology in New York City. I’m working on finding models that can better predict leaf-out timing based on temperature, with the goal of eventually generating species-specific prediction maps. This matters because vegetation plays a key role in ecosystem function. Knowing when events like budburst or leaf-out occur can help with carbon estimates, spring frost predictions, or understanding pollination timing…etc. I also hope my project can support research in allergenic urban trees, especially in high-pollen areas, possibly helping reduce exposure risks or at least giving people more information to prepare.