Binghamton University - Geography: People: Faculty & staff : Florence Margai

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Geography Department Assosciate Professor Florence Margai

Florence Margai

Associate Dean, The Graduate School, AD-127B
Professor of Geography, SW-214B
Phone: 607-777-6731
E-mail: margai@binghamton.edu

Education: PhD, Kent State University, 1991

Recent Designations:

2010- 2011: Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, Geography, Binghamton University
2000-2009: Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Binghamton University
2010- present: Member of Fulbright Committee, Binghamton University
2010 -Present: Panel Reviewer for GRS divisions within the National Science Foundation (NSF)
2009- Present: Panel Reviewer for three separate programs with the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
2010-Present: External Reviewer: Doctoral Dissertation Committee Decker School of Nursing
2000-2008: Chair, Geography Department, Binghamton University
1996-2005: Co-Chair, Geography, Binghamton University
2002-2005: Member of Planning Committee: Race/Ethnicity and Place Conference
2003-2006: Editor: African Geographical Review
2006-Present Editorial Board Member African Geographical Review

Teaching specialties:

Advanced Statistics/Geo-Statistical analysis
Environmental Hazards and Health
Health Disparities by Race, Ethnicity and Class
Environmental Analysis using GIS, remote Sensing and Statistics

Research interests:

GEOGRAPHIES OF HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES

Disproportionate burden of disease and health access by race, class and place
Pediatric health geographies: Lead poisoning and learning disabilities
Acculturation, Assimilation and the Health of Black Immigrant Families

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH HAZARDS

Contaminated environments and health outcomes
Toxic exposures and health outcomes
Community vulnerability Assessment using GIS and Remote Sensing

STATISTICS/GEO-DATA TECHNIQUES

Univariate/Multivariate techniques; Structural Equation Models; Multilevel Modeling.
Spatial Statistics (Kriging and other spatial interpolation methods)
Calibration and Testing of Environmental Health Indicators

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY

Developing applications to validate claims of environmental inequity:
Disproportionate distribution of environmental hazards relative to race, ethnicity and income of residents.
Developing analytical frameworks based on process, outcome and response equity.

REGIONAL SPECIALTY: AFRICA

Food Insecurity and Health Care Challenges facing Women and Children
Detecting and monitoring environmental hazards and health impacts in Africa
Reducing Malaria Burden and Emergent-Re-emergent Infectious Diseases in Africa

Current/Recent Research Projects Undertaken:

Lead poisoning and learning disabilities
Childhood Malaria Burden and Treatment Approaches in Africa
Food security and childhood health in Africa
Health Disparities by Race, Ethnicity and Class in the U.S
Toxic exposure and low birth weight

Publications

Books

Margai, F. M. Environmental Health Hazards and Social Justice: Geographical Perspectives on Race and Class Disparities (Earthscan Ltd ) December 2010 www.earthscan.co.uk/Portals/0/Catalogues/9781849713429.pdf
Frazier J.W. and F.M. Margai. 2003. Multicultural Geographies: The Changing Racial/Ethnic Patterns of the United States (Eds.) Binghamton: Global Academic Publishing.
Frazier J.W., Margai, F.M and E.T. Tetteyfio. 2003. Race and Place: Equity Issues In Urban America. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Manuals

Margai, F.M. 2008. Environmental Health Disparities by Race/Ethnicity and Class (Laboratory Exercises using ARCGIS and other Geospatial technologies) 3rd Edition.
Margai, F.M. 2006. Introduction to Geography: Laboratory Exercises and Readings (3 rd . Edition); Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

Journal Articles/Book Chapters : (Contact Professor Margai for reprints)

Margai, F.M., and F.B. Barry. 2011. Global Geographies of Environmental injustice and health: The Case of illegal hazardous waste dumping in Cote d’Ivoire. In J.Mantaay and S.L. McClafferty(eds). Geospatial Analysis of Environmental Health . Springer, The Netherlands.
Margai, F.M (with T.Oyana. 2010. Spatial Patterns and Health Disparities in Pediatric Lead Exposure in Chicago: Characteristics and Profiles of High-Risk Neighborhoods, The Professional Geographer, 62: 1,46 — 65.
Margai, F.M. 2010. Place Vulnerability to Climate Change and Environmental Hazards: Geographic Tools and Perspectives for Assessing Emergent Health Risks. Binghamton University Research Magazine.
Margai, F. M. 2009. Acculturation and the Health of Black Immigrant Families. In I.Okpewho and N.Nzegwu (eds). The New African Diaspora. Indiana University Press, Bloomington, IN. pp.164-18
Margai, F, M. (with T. Oyana) 2008. Geographic Analysis of Health Risks of Pediatric Lead Exposure: A Golden Opportunity to Promote Healthy Neighborhoods. Archives of Environmental and Occupational Health , Volume 62 (No. 2) pp.93-104
Margai, F.M. (with J Minah) 2008. The Use of Malaria Nosodes to reduce the Prevalence of Malaria in Depressed Communities. International Coethener Exchange ICE 7.InHom 2008 ; pp.25-29. • Margai, F.M (with C.Yorke). 2008 Monitoring Land Use Change in the Densu River Basin, Ghana using GIS and Remote Sensing Methods. African Geographical Review , Volume 26; pp. 87-110.
Margai, F.M. 2007. Geographic Targeting of Risk zones for Childhood Stunting and related Outcomes in Burkina Faso. Journal of World Health and Population , June 2007, pp.1-19.
Margai, F.M. 2006. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health and Health Care: A geographical review. In J.W. Frazier and Tettey-Fio (eds.) Race, Ethnicity and Place in a Changing America . Global Academic Publishing, Binghamton, NY
Margai, F.M. and L. Tuck (2004) Exploratory Analysis of Learning Disabilities and Environmental Risk Factors. Research in Contemporary and Applied Geography: A Discussion series Vol XXXVIII No. 3
Margai, F.M. (with N. Henry). (2003) A Community-based Assessment of Learning Disabilities using Environmental and Contextual risk factors . Social Science and Medicine 56 ; pp.1073-1085.
Margai, F.M. 2003. Using Geodata techniques to analyze environmental health inequities in minority neighborhoods: The case of toxic exposures and low birth weights. In Multicultural Geographies: The Changing Racial and Ethnic Patterns of the United States , John Frazier and Florence Margai (Eds). Global Academic Publishing, Binghamton, NY 2003. pp.263-274.
Margai, F.M. Indicators of Environmental Inequities and Threats to Minority Health in Urban America. In Race and Place: Equity Issues in Urban America (with John Frazier, Florence Margai and Eugene Tetteyfio) Westview Press, Boulder CO. 2003 pp. 189-212.
Margai, F.M. (With J. Frazier) Multiculturalism and Multicultural Education in the United States: The Contributory Role of Geography. In Multicultural Geographies: The Changing Racial and Ethnic Patterns of the United States , John Frazier and Florence Margai (Eds). Global Academic Publishing, Binghamton, NY 2003. pp. 1-10
Margai, F.M. (With J. Frazier), Culture, Cultural Landscapes and the Historical Contexts for Economic expansion, Immigration and Group Settlements in the United States. In Multicultural Geographies: The Changing Racial and Ethnic Patterns of the United States, John Frazier and Florence Margai (Eds). Global Academic Publishing, Binghamton, NY 2003. pp.11-30
Margai, F.M. (2001) Health Risks and Environmental Inequity: A geographical Analysis of Accidental Releases of Hazardous Materials The Professional Geographer 53(3): pp.422-434.
Lansana-Margai, F.M. (With J. Oigara) (2001) Evaluating the Proliferation and Impacts of Water Hyacinth in Lake Victoria. Book chapter in Issues in Africa and the African Diaspora in the 21 st Century. S.N.Asumah and I. Johnston-Anumonwo (Eds). Global Publications and Africana Press. pp.109-121.
Lansana Margai F.M.. 2000. Africa . McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology , 8 th edition pp.192-195
Lansana Margai, F.M. 2000 (With S. Martin) Risk Zones and Public Health Consequences for Hazardous Substance Releases Research in Contemporary and Applied Geography. Vol. 24; pp. 1-18.
Lansana Margai, F.M. (1999) Promotional Strategies for the Prevention and Proper Disposal of Household Hazardous Wastes . Journal of Environmental Systems, Vol. 27(2 ). pp.85-99.
Lansana Margai, F.M.. 1998 Geographic Information Analysis of Pediatric Lead Poisoning . Proceedings of GIS in Public Health, August 1998.
Lansana Margai, 1998. (With J. Chung, K. Feitchingher & L. Dixon). A Spatial Analysis of Soil Lead Levels and Pediatric Lead Contamination. Research in Contemporary and Applied Geography : A Discussion series Vol. 22(4)pp.1-24..
Lansana-Margai, F.M., Walter, S., Frazier, J.W., and Brink, R. (1997). Exploring the Potential Environmental Sources and Associations of Childhood Lead Poisoning . Applied Geographic Studies Vol.1 (4); pp.1-18.
Lansana-Margai, F.M. 1997. (With G. Turrner). Group Differentiated Perceptions and Support for Wetlands Protection and Restoration Policies . Research in Contemporary and Applied Geography: A Discussion series Vol. 21(4)pp.1-24 .
Lansana-Margai, F.M. (1997). Analyzing Changes in Waste Reduction Behavior in a Low-Income Urban Community following a Public Outreach Program . Environment and Behavior, Vol. 29(6); pp.769-792.
Lansana-Margai, F.M. 1995. Evaluating the Potential for Environmental Quality Improvement in a community distressed by a Manmade Hazard . Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 44, pp. 181-190.
Lansana, F.M. 1994. Integrating Waste Recovery and Reduction Systems in Low-Income Urban Communities . Research in Contemporary and Applied Geography: A Discussion series Vol 29 (2), 13pps.
Lansana, F.M. 1994. Integrating Waste Recovery and Reduction Systems in Low Income Urban Communities . Papers and Proceedings of Applied Geography Vol. 17 pp.122-136
Lansana, F.M. 1993. A Comparative Analysis of Curbside Recycling Strategies in Urban and Suburban Communities . The Professional Geographer, Vol. 45 (2); pp. 169-179.
Lansana, F.M. 1992. Distinguishing Potential Recyclers From Non-Recyclers: A Basis for Developing Recycling Strategies . Journal of Environmental Education, Vol. 23(2); pp. 16-23.
Lansana, F.M., Harvey, M.E. & Frazier, J.W. 1991. The Causal Role of Demographic, Comunication and Attitudinal Factors in Recycling Behavior in Energy, The environment and Public Policy (pp.78-88) by D.L. Mackee (Ed.). New York: Praeger
Lansana, F.M., Harvey, M.E. & Frazier, J.W. (1989), Household Participation in Recycling: An Evaluation of some Policy Questions. Papers and Proceedings of Applied Geography Vol. 12 (pp.144-156) .

Recent Advisees (Selected from a total of 26):

Tasha Hayes (3/2 Accelerated BA/MA,2011) Winnie Ng ((3/2 Accelerated BA/MA, 2011); Sabina Kabuga (MA,2011); Liz (Chi) Li (MA,2011); Dimka Aleksandrova (BA honors, 2011) ; Sarah Fenster ( BA, Honors, 2010); Javier Rodriguez-Benitez (MA, 2009); Jaime Ratner ( MA, 2008); Sam Asomaning ( MA, 2008); Jhomo O’Connor (MA, 2007); Gretchen Elwell (MA, 2006); Charles Yorke (MA, 2006); Victoria Ehlen (MA, 2006)