Uilvim E. G Franco

GIS Specialist & Environmental Engineer

Seasoned professional specializing in geographic information systems, environmental engineering, and project management with extensive experience in academic projects and web-based map applications.

Get in Touch View Projects
Profile Picture

Geospatial Analytics & Data Visualization Specialist

Rice University

Professional Summary

GIS Specialist and Environmental Engineer with extensive experience in academic projects and web-based map applications. Skilled in acquiring, managing, manipulating, and analyzing large datasets for educational institutions and non-profit organizations.

Detail-oriented with a solid background in geographic mapping and data compilation technology. Proficient in database management and analysis, with strong skills in various computer systems, from spreadsheets and databases to GIS mapping software.

Adept at creating maps, tables, charts, graphic reports, presentations, and web content, including web maps and dashboards. Versatile and organized project manager with a proven track record of successful project leadership.

Highlights

  • Co-developed a GIS-based COVID-19 response platform adopted by Brazil's Science and Technology Ministry and São Paulo state government
  • Co-designed and deployed a dynamic platform to visualize data about recently disappeared and soon-to-disappear glaciers, featured at UNESCO 1st World Day for Glaciers
  • Co-designed an online dashboard that tracks and predicts SARS-CoV-2 viral loads based on wastewater sampling in Houston
  • ImagineRio project presented at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia
  • Co-architected a GIS application used by the Lebanese army and NGOs for Beirut's recovery post-2020 explosion

Core Competencies

Planning and Organizing
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Communication
Judgment/Decision-Making
Researching and Investigating
Collaboration with Teams
Problem Analysis
Data Management

Technical Proficiencies

Cloud Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS): EC2, S3, CloudFront, DynamoDB, RDS, Load Balancer, Google Cloud Services, BigQuery, Cloud Storage

GIS Platforms

ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, ArcGIS Web AppBuilder, ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS StoryMaps, ArcGIS Dashboard

Programming

ArcPy, ArcGIS API, Arcade, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, Flask, SQL

Databases

SQL Server, PostgreSQL, PostGIS

Professional Experience

Rice University, Houston, TX

Jan 2025 - Present

Geospatial Analytics & Data Visualization Specialist

  • Engage with faculty and students to support learning, teaching, and research requiring geospatial expertise and tools
  • Lead the planning, design, and execution of research projects
  • Develop methodologies and frameworks for data collection and analysis
  • Gather, interpret, and analyze complex data from various sources
  • Use geospatial and statistical tools to derive meaningful insights and trends
  • Develop maps and other visualizations based on data analysis
  • Produce comprehensive reports and presentations outlining projects and outcomes
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, providing expertise in research methodologies
  • Design, develop, and manage data resources that facilitate data analysis and retrieval

Rice University, Houston, TX

Nov 2018 - Jan 2025

GIS Specialist

  • Co-developed and supported innovative web-based map applications and cloud infrastructure
  • Led the development of ESRI applications for Bayou City Waterkeepers and McNair Center
  • Orchestrated systems architecture and integration including ArcGIS Enterprise platform
  • Supervised Fondren Fellows in projects mapping archival images from historical plantations
  • Co-developed COVID-19 response platform using ArcGIS Dashboards, recognized internationally
  • Pioneered disaster response web application for Beirut used by Lebanese army and NGOs
  • Enhanced data processing efficiency by implementing ETL pipelines and QA/QC systems
  • Managed full process of data cleaning, analysis, and visualization of datasets

Rice University, Houston, TX

Jan 2016 - Nov 2018

Environmental/Data Engineer

Conducted extensive spatial analysis, spatial statistics, data manipulation, and remote sensing using ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, and ENVI.

Ministry of the Environment, Brasília, Brazil

Jun 2017 - Jun 2018

Intern

  • Provided technical support in analysis and evaluation of georeferenced products
  • Assisted in geoprocessing and production of environmental datasets using ArcMap and QGIS
  • Managed discussion workshops with stakeholders on socio-economic and environmental planning
  • Analyzed and created technical reports on environmental impact and remote sensing
  • Compiled data on economic-ecological zoning to support departmental reports
  • Organized geographic databases (GDB) and assisted in remote sensing activities

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Environmental Engineering

University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil (Graduated 2018)

Brazil Scientific Mobility Program

Saint Francis University, Pennsylvania, USA (2015–2016)

Certifications & Specializations

Specialization in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

University of California, Davis (via Coursera) - Sep 2024

Specialization in Introduction to Generative AI

Google Cloud (via Coursera) - Sep 2024

Google Cloud Digital Leader Professional Certificate

Google Cloud (via Coursera) - Sep 2024

CitiesX: The Past, Present and Future of Urban Life

HarvardX (via edX) - Aug 2023

Featured Projects

GIS Public Health

SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Monitoring

Online dashboard that tracks and predicts SARS-CoV-2 viral loads based on regular sampling of wastewater in Houston.

covidwwtp.spatialstudieslab.org
GIS Climate

Global Glacier Casualty List

Dynamic platform visualizing data about recently disappeared and soon-to-disappear glaciers, featured at UNESCO.

glaciercasualtylist.rice.edu
GIS Urban

imagineRio

Digital platform revealing centuries of Rio de Janeiro's urban evolution, presented at La Biennale di Venezia.

imaginerio.org
GIS Disaster

Beirut Recovery Map

GIS application used by the Lebanese army and NGOs for Beirut's recovery post-2020 explosion.

beirutrecovery.org
GIS Environment

Justice in the Sewers

Mapping Houston's sewage overflows to highlight environmental justice issues.

bayoucitywaterkeeper.org
GIS History

levantCarta

Digital archive of historical maps and documents from the Middle East.

spatialstudieslab.rice.edu

Publications & Press

Academic Publications

The location of pain in cluster headache

Schor LI, Pearson SM, de Castro Sousa B, et al. Headache. 2024; 64: 783-795. doi:10.1111/head.14766

View Publication

Avaliação das sobreposições geométricas de imóveis e reservas legais do Cadastro Ambiental Rural (CAR) na RIDE-DF

Franco, Uilvim Ettore Gardin. Thesis (Bacharelado em Engenharia Ambiental)—University of Brasilia, Brasilia, 2018.

View Publication

Press Highlights

Celebrations of the 1st World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day in Paris

Un-glaciers.org. (2025).

Read Article

As Iceland prepares to lose its ice, it introduces first graveyard of glaciers

United Nations Western Europe. (2024).

Read Article

imagineRio Digital Platform Reveals Centuries of Rio de Janeiro's Urban Evolution

Getty.edu. (2024).

Read Article

Rice researchers create interactive map of COVID cases in Texas

Rice News, March 31, 2020.

Read Article

Get In Touch

Contact Information

Email

uilvim@rice.edu

uilvim@gmail.com

Location

Rice University, Houston, TX

Center for Research Computing

Office of Information Technology

Connect With Me

Send Me a Message