Prof. Dr. Eric Vaz is a globally recognized scholar and thought leader in geography and habitats, currently ranked n.18 worldwide by ScholarGPS. He is a full professor of geographical analysis and the graduate program director of spatial analysis at Toronto Metropolitan University. Additionally, he is the founding Director of the Laboratory for Geocomputation.

Professor Vaz is a pioneer in his field, with an impressive and impactful scholarly portfolio. His contributions to regional science were recognized early in his career when he was named a Rising Star by the Regional Science Association International in 2012. At Toronto Metropolitan University, he has received the Dean's SRC Award from the Faculty of Arts twice (2015 and 2021) for his exceptional achievements in scholarship. From 2018 to 2021, he served as President of the Canadian Regional Science Association, further solidifying his leadership in the discipline.

Professor Vaz has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and six books with Springer, including three monographs. His research spans spatial analysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to regional change, delivering vital insights for policy-making in the Anthropocene. His work has been showcased by NASA’s Earth Observation, highlighting the global significance of his contributions. insights vitais para a formulação de políticas no Antropoceno. O seu trabalho foi apresentado pela Observação da Terra da NASA, destacando o significado global das suas contribuições.

Beyond his academic research, Professor Vaz is a frequent reviewer for leading international journals and funding bodies and serves on numerous editorial boards. Since 2024, he has been an Expert on the roster of the International Science Council, actively shaping the future of geographic and regional sciences on a global stage.