Yilin Lyu

Yilin Lyu conducts interdisciplinary research integrating geospatial science, public health, urban mobility, and transportation accessibility to examine spatial disparities and optimize resource distribution in cities. Her work focuses on developing a location-first framework that bridges health geography and urban planning to better understand how spatial, social, and structural determinants shape accessibility and equity. By analyzing transportation barriers and socio-spatial factors, she investigates their influence on healthcare access, economic opportunities, and broader urban systems. Moving beyond traditional spatial epidemiology, her research explores how mobility patterns, urban infrastructure, and social conditions interact to impact spatial accessibility and decision-making. Using GIS, spatial modeling, and causal inference methods, she aims to develop a composite accessibility index that integrates SDOH and urban planning metrics, advancing spatial analytics for healthcare planning, transportation networks, and urban development to support more equitable and efficient resource allocation in urban environments.