Lisa DeChano-Cook
Lisa DeChano-Cook
Professor
Location:
2106 Wood Hall, Mail Stop 5424
Mailing address:
School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5424 USA
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5424 USA
![Lisa DeChano-Cook](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/directory_portrait/public/portraits/dechano-cook_lisa_-geography_150.jpg?h=cfc38838&itok=vaSMeTyi)
Education:
- Ph.D., Environmental Geography, Texas State University San Marcos, 2000
- M.S., Geography, Ohio University, 1997
- M.A., Space Studies, University of North Dakota, 1994
- B.S., General Physics, Juniata College, 1993
Teaching Interests:
- Physical geography
- Environmental impact assessment
- Natural disasters and risk management
Research Interests:
- Physical and environmental geography
- Natural hazards and hazard perception
- Sports geography
Bio:
Dr. Lisa DeChano-Cook is a professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Tourism at Western Michigan University. Her research interests lie in the broad category of environmental geography with emphases on geomorphology, natural hazards and hazards perception. She has studied such topics as:
- The potential for the Asian long-horned beetle infesting southwest Michigan
- Downy woodpecker habitat suitability
- Wildfire perceptions in Teton County, WY
She has also co-edited:
- The Kalamazoo River, published by Arcadia Publishing.
- Pathways #33, published by the National Council for Geographic Education, focusing on using sports examples to teach various geography concepts.
- A book along with Joseph P. Stoltman and John Lidstone titled "International Perspectives on Natural Disasters: Occurrence, Mitigation, and Consequences."
DeChano-Cook's interests in geographic and environmental education and sports geography have led to papers and projects on:
- Environmental impacts of Power Five football conference realignment
- The faculty role in inter-institutional student transfer
- How climate change influences what cities could host Olympic Games in the future
Her research has been funded by:
- American Geophysical Union’s Centennial Grant Program
- National Geographic Society
- Department of Environmental Quality