Publications

Peer-Reviewed Articles

2026

M. Naser Lessani, Li, Z., Yu, M., Greatrex, H., & Chen, C.
Spatially Varying Coefficient Models in Spatial Statistics: A Comprehensive Review and Synthesis.
Annals of GIS, 1–35. DOI
M. Naser Lessani, Li, Z., Qiao, S., Yu, M., & Li, X.
Spatial variations in the association between gay bar visitation and HIV prevalence across six major U.S. cities using large-scale human mobility data.
Geo-Spatial Information Science, 1–14. DOI
Khosravi Kazazi, A., Li, Z., M. Naser Lessani, & Cervone, G.
From questions to queries: An AI-powered multi-agent framework for spatial text-to-SQL.
International Journal of Digital Earth, 19(2), 2687193. DOI
Jing, F., Li, T., Li, Z., M. Naser Lessani, Hu, J., He, G., Hu, J., Liu, T., & Ma, W.
A multi-network spatial error workflow for disentangling digital connectivity and geographic spillovers: Evidence from sexually transmitted infections.
International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 1–25. DOI
Sui, Z., & M. Naser Lessani
Towards Cartographic Design Pluralism: Centering Non-Latin Typographic Practices in Digital Mapping.
GeoHumanities, 1–17. DOI
Kaur, M. N., Jain, M., Dey, T., Huerta, D. T., Meyers, P., Zeng, C., et al.
Understanding determinants of patient-reported outcome measure non-response among transgender and gender diverse individuals.
Quality of Life Research, 35(8), 212. DOI

2025

M. Naser Lessani, N’Diaye, A., Li, Z., Li, X., & Qiao, S.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea incidence and residential segregation: US spatiotemporal patterns (2013–2021).
BMC Public Health, 25, 3594. DOI
Robert, B. N., Macharia, P. M., M. Naser Lessani, Chepkurui, V., Kamau, J., Snow, R. W., Li, Z., & Okiro, E. A.
Spatially varying relationships between birth registration and influencing factors in Kenya, using a suite of Geographically Weighted Regressions.
Spatial and Spatio-temporal Epidemiology, 100764. DOI
Sui, Z., & M. Naser Lessani
Design Principles of Kashida Justification: A Unique Technique in Arabic and Persian Mapping.
Cartographic Perspectives, 107. DOI
M. Naser Lessani, & Li, Z.
Enhancing the computational efficiency of the SGWR model and introducing its software implementation.
Annals of GIS, 1–16. DOI
Zeng, C., M. Naser Lessani, Liu, J. B., Jarman, M. P., Ufere, N. N., Lau-Min, K. S., et al.
Impacts of Residential Segregation and Comorbidity on Racial Disparities in Acute Care Utilization.
Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 1–10. DOI
Ning, H., Li, Z., Akinboyewa, T., & M. Naser Lessani
An autonomous GIS agent framework for geospatial data retrieval.
International Journal of Digital Earth, 18(1), 2458688. DOI
Akinboyewa, T., Li, Z., Ning, H., M. Naser Lessani, Holmes, L. M., & Qiao, S.
Exploring the association between smartphone-based place visitation data and neighborhood-level coronary heart disease in the United States.
PLOS ONE, 20(8), e0329455. DOI
Akinboyewa, T., Li, Z., Ning, H., & M. Naser Lessani
GIS Copilot: Towards an autonomous GIS agent for spatial analysis.
International Journal of Digital Earth, 18(1), 2497489. DOI

2024

M. Naser Lessani, & Li, Z.
SGWR: Similarity and geographically weighted regression.
International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 1–24 · Most-read IJGIS article of 2024. DOI
M. Naser Lessani, Li, Z., Deng, J., & Guo, Z.
An MPI-based parallel genetic algorithm for multiple geographical feature label placement based on the hybrid of fixed-sliding models.
Geo-Spatial Information Science, 1–19. DOI
Li, Z., Ning, H., Jing, F., & M. Naser Lessani
Understanding the bias of mobile location data across spatial scales and over time: A comprehensive analysis of SafeGraph data in the United States.
PLOS ONE, 19(1), e0294430. DOI
Jing, F., Li, Z., Qiao, S., Ning, H., M. Naser Lessani, & Li, X.
From neighborhood contexts to human behaviors: Cellphone-based place visitation data contribute to estimating neighborhood-level depression prevalence in the United States.
Cities, 148, 104905. DOI
Akinboyewa, T., Ning, H., M. Naser Lessani, & Li, Z.
Automated floodwater depth estimation using large multimodal models for rapid flood mapping.
Computational Urban Science, 4(1), 12. DOI
Jing, F., Li, Z., Qiao, S., M. Naser Lessani, Ning, H., Ma, W., et al.
Optimizing county-level infectious respiratory disease forecasts: A pandemic case study integrating social media-based physical and social connectivity networks.
International Journal of Digital Earth, 17(1), 2436486. DOI

2020–2023

M. Naser Lessani, Li, Z., Jing, F., Qiao, S., Zhang, J., Olatosi, B., & Li, X.
Human mobility and the transmission of infectious disease: A systematic review.
Geo-Spatial Information Science, 1–28. DOI
M. Naser Lessani, Deng, J., & Guo, Z.
A Novel Parallel Algorithm with Map Segmentation for Multiple Geographical Feature Label Placement Problem.
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 10(12), 826. DOI
Deng, J., Guo, Z., & M. Naser Lessani
Multiple geographical feature label placement based on multiple candidate positions in two degrees of freedom space.
IEEE Access, 9, 144085–144105. DOI
Lei, Y., Deng, J., Lin, J., Dick, J. M., M. Naser Lessani, & Liu, C.
Research of automatic generation for engineering geological survey reports based on a four-dimensional dynamic template.
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 9(9), 496. DOI

Book Chapter

Li, Z., Khosravi Kazazi, A., Akinboyewa, T., M. Naser Lessani, Qiao, S., & Li, X.
Autonomous GIS for HIV Prevention: AI-Assisted Spatial Analysis and Decision Support.
2026 · Under review

Preprints

M. Naser Lessani, Li, Z., Yu, M., Greatrex, H., & Shen, C.
Multiscale Similarity and Geographically Weighted Regression (M-SGWR).
2025 arXiv
M. Naser Lessani, Li, Z., Akinboyewa, T., & Jing, F.
Place-based Representation Bias in Human Mobility Data: Assessing POI Coverage, Category Bias, and Visitor Representation Bias.
2026 DOI
M. Naser Lessani, Li, Z., Qiao, S., Ning, H., Aggarwal, A., Yuan, G. (Frank), Pasha, A., Stirratt, M., & Scott-Sheldon, L. A. J.
Leveraging large language models for systematic reviewing: A case study using HIV medication adherence research.
medRxiv 2024.09.18.24313828 DOI