Kayode Atoba Ph.D

I am an Associate Research Scientist at the Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas. As a broadly trained urban planner and interdisciplinary scholar, I am deeply interested in the interactions between the built environment and natural hazards. I hold a Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Science from Texas A&M University, an M.S. in Geographic Information Systems from Sam Houston State University, and a B.S. in Urban and Regional Planning from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.

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Previously, I served as a Research Fellow and Instructor at South Dakota State University (2016–2018) and as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center for Texas Beaches and Shores, Texas A&M University–Galveston.

With experience spanning both academia and industry, I specialize in geospatial analysis and modeling. Before graduate school, I worked as a LiDAR data analyst at GeoDigital Corporation and held several applied geospatial statistics roles and internships. Much of my research is service-driven, focusing on broad societal impacts. I design and develop tools to support policymakers—especially in under-resourced communities—by transforming data into knowledge and translating that knowledge into actionable policy.

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Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, watching and playing football (soccer), hitting the courts for racket sports, and participating in a range of community volunteer activities.