Mission & goals

Mission

The Geospatial Research and Information Laboratory (GRAIL) provides Northern Arizona University (NAU) researchers as well as NAU partners with technological support to conduct geographic information system (GIS)-related research. GRAIL promotes emerging technologies and acts as a focal point for the interface between research and education.

Goals

1. Support GIS-related research and spatial data management
2. Serve regional to global spatial data to NAU and partners
3. Provide training for science and non-science programs for NAU academic departments
4. Train undergraduate and graduate students working on research projects
5. Provide technical support to satellite facilities maintained in academic units on campus
6. Promote integrative activities associated with spatial technologies, including database design and management, data mining and modeling projects, online research forum development, visualization design, and related emerging technologies