Laura Chapa
Teaching Experience
University/College Experience
Austin Community College
- Adjunct Faculty, Department of Earth and Environmental Science 2018-Present
- Adjunct Faculty, Department of Geographic Information Systems 2020-2022
Texas State University–San Marcos
- Instructional Assistant, Department of Biology 2011 – 2013
Courses Taught
Undergraduate Courses:
- Introduction to Environmental Science (ENVR 1301), Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GISC 1411), Introduction to Geospatial Data (GISC 1479), and Advanced Problems in Geographic Information Systems (GISC 2231).
Undergraduate Lab Courses:
- Economic Botany (BIO 3406); Modern Biology II (BIO 1421); Plant Ecology (BIO 4454)
Graduate Lab Courses:
- Plant Ecology (BIO 5454)
Professional Publications
Thesis:
Clark, Laura. 2014. Application of Unmanned Autonomous Vehicle Systems: Mapping Tamarix. Texas State University.
Journal Articles:
Birdsong, Timothy W., Bean, Megan, Grabowski, Timothy B., Hardy, Thomas B., Heard, Thomas, Holdstock, Derrick, Kollaus, Kristy, Magnelia, Stephan, Tolman, Kristina, and Laura Clark. 2015. Application and Utility of a Low-cost Unmanned Aerial System to Manage and Conserve Aquatic Resources in Four Texas Rivers. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, pp 80-85.
Technical Reports:
Van Zant, Mary, Blount-Miller, Meredith, Clark, Laura, Huaman, Jessica, Sams, Nathan and Qurunful, Hayat. 2011. Preliminary Socioeconomic Analysis of the Rio Bravo Basin. US Environmental Protection Agency.
Ruthestrom, Anne, Clark, Laura, and Qurunful, Hayat. 2010. Part IC 1 – Agriculture in the Rio Grande Basin: An Overview of Trans-boundary Practices. US Environmental Protection Agency.
Presentations at Professional Meetings/Conferences:
Chapa, Laura. 2023. Keynote: Experience the Build with Experience Builder. November 2023. ATX GIS Day.
Chapa, Laura. 2023. Web AppBuilder vs Experience Builder. October 2023. Supporting Women in Geography and GIS.
Chapa, Laura and Jonathan Doherty. 2023. Using GIS to Support Real-Time Security Operations. June 2023. The Texas Emergency Management Conference.
Chapa, Laura. 2023. The ArcGIS System, Data Sharing, and GIS for Emergency Management (this was an impromptu presentation given because the scheduled presenter did not show up). May 2023. The Texas Emergency Management Conference.
Chapa, Laura, Smilovsky, Nik, and Jordan Carmona. 2023. The Integrated Power of GIS & GPS: A Municipality Case Study. April 2023 South Central Arc User Group Conference, Frisco, Texas.
Chapa, Laura. 2023. Indoors Real-Time Monitoring. April 2023 Texas Association of Governmental Information Technology Managers
Chapa, Laura. 2023. The ArcGIS System. March 2023 Capital Area Council of Governments Geographic Information Systems Planning Council, Austin, Texas.
Chapa, Laura. 2023. The ArcGIS Platform. February 2023 Texas Department of Transportation Quarterly User Group.
Chapa, Laura. 2022. ArcGIS Field Maps - how DOT’s are using it. November 2022. Texas Department of Transportation Survey & GIS Conference.
Chapa, Laura and Jonathan Doherty. 2022. The ArcGIS System - automating your way to success. October 2022 TX GIO Quarterly Meeting.
Chapa, Laura. 2022. Field Operations with ArcGIS. September 2022 Alamo Area GIS Conference.
Chapa, Laura. 2021. A Career in GIS. November 2021 TxGIS Day.
Chapa, Laura. 2021. What’s New in ArcGIS Pro 2.7. March 2021 GIS Planning Council, Capital Area Council of Governments.
Chapa, Laura. 2021. What’s New in ArcGIS Pro 2.7. January 2021 South Central Arc User Group Virtual User Group Meeting.
Chapa, Laura and Aaron Kim Ludeke, Ph.D. 2020. GIS Day Interview Celebrating Dr. Kim Ludeke. November 2020 TxGIS Day.
Chapa, Laura and Kathleen Clancy. 2020. New Capabilities in ArcGIS Online. July 2020 South Central Arc User Group Virtual User Group Meeting.
Chapa, Laura and Wendy Anderson. 2019. Fine Resolution Mapping of Houston Toad Breeding Pond Habitat. 2019 Texas GIS Forum, Austin, Texas, October 23, 2019.
Chapa, Laura. 2019. Citizen Science for the Texas Ecological Mapping Systems. Texas Master Naturalist 20th Annual Meeting, October 19, 2019.
Clark, Laura. 2017. Landscape Ecology Program. Texas GIS Community Meeting Quarter 1, January 10, 2017.
Clark, Laura. 2016. Texas Ecosystems and Virtual Mapping. Texas Plant Conservation Conference 2016, November 4, 2016.
Clark, Laura. 2016. Texas Ecosystems and Virtual Mapping. Texas Master Naturalist 17th Annual Meeting, October 22, 2016.
Clark, Laura. 2013. Classifying exotic vegetation with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and integrating the results into an interactive web-based interface for management and educational purposes. Fifth Annual International Research Conference for Graduate Students.
Clark, Laura and Kristina Tolman. 2013. Classifying exotic vegetation with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and integrating the results into an interactive web-based interface for management and educational purposes. 2013 Texas GIS Forum, Austin, Texas.
Clark, Laura. 2013. Mapping Vegetative Composition at the Matador Wildlife Management Area. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Evaluation Workshop. Kerr Wildlife Management Area, Hunt, Texas.
Clark, Laura and Hayat Qurunful. 2010. Rio Grande Basin Projects at River Systems Institute and Texas State University – San Marcos. Rio Grande Basin Initiative Conference. Alpine, Texas.
University/College Speaking Events:
Chapa, Laura. October 2022. A Career in GIS. Austin Community College GIS Job Fair.
Chapa, Laura. March 2022. A Career in GIS. Professional Development Course in Biology Department at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
Chapa, Laura. October 2020. A day in the life at Esri. GIS Course at Austin Community College, Online.
Chapa, Laura. March 2020. My Career Story. Professional Development Course in Biology Department at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
Chapa, Laura. September 2019. Austin Community College Guest Speaker Series: Laura Chapa, TPWD. Austin Community College, virtual WebEx Meeting.
Chapa, Laura, Nancy Heger, and Wendy Anderson. March 2019. GIS at Texas Parks & Wildlife. Austin Community College GIS Department at Texas Parks & Wildlife, Austin, Texas.
Chapa, Laura, Li, Nancy, Roe, Courtney, Steele, Katie, and Yihong Yuan. February 2019. Women in GIS. Supporting Women in Geography & SWIGGIS at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
Chapa, Laura. March 2018. Career, Graduate School, and Job Searching Tips. Professional Development Course in Biology Department at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
Chapa, Laura. November 2017. Career and Job Searching Tips, as well as Landscape Ecology at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Landscape Ecology Course in Geography Department at University of Texas, Austin, Texas.
Chapa, Laura. July 2016. Environmental Science and Ethics. Introduction to Philosophy Course in Philosophy Department at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
Chapa, Laura. November 2015. GIS at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Texas State GIS Day at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
Published: August 25, 2025