UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Cristina Elena Mihalache, a Fulbright Scholar from Romania, has spent the past eight months with the Penn State Department of Geography advancing her research in geospatial sciences and remote sensing. As her time at the University nears its end in May, Mihalache reflected on the academic and professional opportunities she has gained, as well as the interdisciplinary collaborations that have enriched her work.
Mihalache, a doctoral candidate in geography in Romania, has a background in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS) applications and geospatial field. She said she chose Penn State as her top Fulbright destination, drawn by the University’s expertise in these areas.
“I wanted to come here because I knew about the scientific activities in the Department of Geography, as well as its geospatial education program,” Mihalache said. “Brian King and Anthony Robinson helped me enroll in the 'Geographic Foundations of Geospatial Intelligence' course, which was a great opportunity to advance my career in the geospatial industry, because in Romania, we don’t have many options in this field.”
King, head of the Department of Geography, has served as Mihalache’s primary mentor, helping her connect with faculty and researchers whose work aligns with her interests. Mihalache also credited Professor Emeritus Douglas Miller and Assistant Professor Belén Noroña with significantly influencing her research and academic experience at Penn State.
Expanding research in remote sensing
During her Fulbright tenure, Mihalache has focused on refining her dissertation research, which examines land-use changes in a coastal region of Romania. Her work uses satellite-based remote sensing to monitor spatial and temporal transformations in the area, particularly the rapid conversion of agricultural land into urban developments.
“The aim is to provide insights about these changes and how they were influenced by political and legislative factors,” she said. “I want to understand if these changes have improved or harmed the environment, people’s lives or sustainable development.”
One of the key challenges in her research has been accessing reliable local geospatial data. While satellite imagery is widely available through open-access platforms, Mihalache noted that in Romania, complementary datasets, such as local environmental records or urban green space inventories, are often difficult to obtain, fragmented or available only through formal requests and fees.
“With satellite data, we can monitor land changes faster and on a larger scale compared to traditional field studies,” she said. “However, sometimes the spatial resolution of satellite data may not be sufficient to capture all the details, which is why we often need to complement it with high-resolution imagery or connect it with local datasets. It’s a continuous process of refining and improving our analysis.”
At Penn State, Mihalache has worked closely with Noroña on a research project focused on the Amazon rainforest. Using remote sensing analysis, she helps generate satellite-based maps that assist with monitoring environmental changes related to oil extraction activities in Yasuní National Park.
Interdisciplinary learning and collaboration
One of the most valuable aspects of Mihalache’s time at Penn State has been the opportunity to work across disciplines, she said. She recalled how Miller encouraged her to look at her case study from multiple perspectives, pushing her to step beyond traditional satellite imagery.
“He challenged me to adopt a more holistic perspective and to analyze the phenomenon not just from above, but from all angles — ground level, from the sides — integrating meteorological and statistical data, as well as insights from local communities, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the changes,” Mihalache said. “That was something I hadn’t considered before, but it significantly enhanced my research.”
The interdisciplinary nature of Penn State’s geography department also exposed Mihalache to new perspectives.
“Here, I’ve seen how people from different backgrounds can collaborate,” she said. “I’ve worked with people who focus on political ecology, and it’s been eye-opening to connect remote sensing with broader societal issues.”
Mihalache’s academic development extended beyond research collaborations. She participated in Penn State’s "Geographic Foundations of Geospatial Intelligence" course, which served as a starting point for a more in-depth academic exploration of the issues inherent in geospatial intelligence analysis.
“I learned about the intelligence process as practiced by most intelligence enterprises, including requirements, collection, analysis, dissemination, and policy and how to develop a critical thinking mindset,” she said. “You can’t just accept results at face value; you have to approach them with intellectual curiosity, questioning assumptions, exploring different scenarios, evaluating influencing factors and being open to reconsidering conclusions based on new evidence or perspectives.”
In addition to research and coursework, Mihalache presented her work at the American Association of Geographers annual meeting, marking her first experience at a U.S. academic conference.
“It’s a big step for me in expanding my professional network,” Mihalache said.
Looking ahead: Implementing lessons from Penn State
As Mihalache prepares to return to Romania, she said she is eager to apply what she has learned at Penn State to her work as an educator and researcher. Before coming to the United States she taught practical GIS exercises to students in Romania and said she hopes to bring elements of Penn State’s academic culture to her university.
"I really enjoyed the GeoGraphics Lab here, which provides a dynamic and well-equipped environment where students have all the resources they need to work on their projects, as well as the opportunity to collaborate and receive feedback from peers and the committee," she said. “And I want to implement something similar back home.”
She was also inspired by the department’s Coffee Hour events, where faculty, students and guests gather to present and discuss research.
“I think we could have something like that for my students working on their dissertations,” she said. “It’s a great way to encourage discussion and collaboration.”
Her connections with Penn State researchers are also likely to continue, she said. She and Noroña are already planning to co-author a scientific paper based on their work together.
A transformative experience
Reflecting on her Fulbright experience, Mihalache said the most rewarding aspect has been the relationships she has built with colleagues and mentors at Penn State.
“The connections I’ve made here will last for life,” she said. “That’s the most important thing.”
She encouraged future Fulbright scholars to embrace the experience fully, both academically and culturally.
“My advice is to push yourself to attend as many activities as possible,” she said. “It’s tempting to stay in your office and focus solely on work, but stepping out, connecting with others, and immersing yourself in the culture truly makes you feel like you're a real part of the University.”
Mihalache said she is confident that the lessons, collaborations and experiences she has gained will continue to shape her academic career for years to come.
“It’s been better than I ever expected,” she said. “Academically, professionally and personally, this has been an incredible experience.”