Dr. Wansoo Im is a champion of community engagement through participatory mapping. As a Professor in the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College and Director of the National Community Mapping Center, he harnesses interactive, web- and mobile-based GIS to involve local residents in identifying and addressing critical social and environmental challenges. Dr. Im’s approach empowers communities to gather, analyze, and visualize data, thereby informing meaningful policy and health interventions. His volunteer-driven efforts—such as mapping New York City’s public restrooms and gas stations during Hurricane Sandy—demonstrate the transformative potential of crowdsourcing. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, Dr. Im’s work not only enriches public health research but also elevates the voices of marginalized populations, fostering shared ownership and collective problem-solving.

Contact: wim@mmc.edu