Lab Alumni

Opportunities for Participation

We are currently running a spatial thinking education program and we are looking for participants. Please select one of the links below to get involved. More Info

Adult Participation Form


Minor Participation Form




Who We Are

The Spatial and Map Cognition Research Lab.

What We Do

We study spatial cognition and thinking, spatial abilities, and map use.

Where We Do It

SMCRL is a part of the Department of Geography at the University of Oregon - Eugene.

Jacob Blair (2006-2007)

master's student, geography

A native of Portland, Oregon, Jacob first came to the University of Oregon in 1999. He has earned a bachelor of arts (2001 linguistics) as well as a bachelor of science (2005 geography); both from the University of Oregon. Jacob also worked in the UO InfoGraphics Lab 2004-2007.

Mary Crooks (2006-2007)

master's student, geography

Nick Martinelli (2006-2008)

master's student, geography

Nick received a BS in Political Science in 1999 and a BS in Geography in 2006, both from the University of Oregon. Nick also worked in the InfoGraphics lab at the University.

Nick’s research interests include cartography and mapping topics such as map data interactivity, map design, interactive mapping and cognitive map distortion. His current research in the SMCRL lab investigates the time frame of mental map distortion. The experiments will examine the presence of temporal and spatial patterns within the cognitive mapping process.

Nick's Conference Presentations

Martinelli, Nick. 2007. "Bicycling Guide: Redesigning a Statewide Bicycle Map." Poster Presented at the North American Cartographic Information Society annual meeting. St Louis. October 2007.

Martinelli, Nick. 2007. "Cartographic Information to Geographic Knowledge. Presented at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers. San Francisco. April.

Martinelli, Nick. Engelmann, Mike. 2007. "Reinventing the Wheel: Converting Statewide CAD Maps to GIS based Cartographic Products. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers. San Francisco. April.