LambdaGEO — Research Lab in Computing and Geotechnologies
UFMA · Computer Engineering · Geotechnology & Applied Computing · DisSModel Ecosystem
🛰️ LambdaGEO
Computing & Geotechnology Research Group
LambdaGEO is a research group at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) working at the intersection of Computer Engineering, Geosciences, and Open Science.
We develop reproducible, open-source tools for spatial simulation, semantic data integration, and environmental modeling — with a 20+ year research trajectory focused on one question:
How can geospatial models be built so that others can understand, reuse, and trust them?
→ Learn about our research trajectory
🌍 The DisSModel Ecosystem
Our flagship initiative is DisSModel — a modern, Python-native framework for discrete spatial simulation. To foster community-driven development, the ecosystem is hosted under its own organization:
🔗 github.com/DisSModel
🛠️ Core Framework & Infrastructure
| Repository | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| dissmodel | Modular engine for CA & System Dynamics; dual-substrate (Vector/Raster) | ✅ PyPI · v0.4 |
| dissmodel-platform | Scalable execution via FastAPI, Redis, MinIO; cloud-ready | 🚧 Beta |
| dissmodel-docs | Documentation, tutorials, and API reference (MkDocs) | 📚 Live |
🧩 Domain Libraries
Specialized extensions for scientific applications:
| Repository | Domain | Key Models |
|---|---|---|
| dissmodel-ca | Cellular Automata | Game of Life, Forest Fire, Growth |
| dissmodel-sysdyn | System Dynamics | SIR, Predator-Prey, Lorenz |
| coastal-dynamics | Coastal Systems | Flood propagation, mangrove migration |
| DisSLUCC | Land Use Change | CLUE-inspired allocation, demand modeling |
💡 All libraries follow the Executor Pattern: same model code runs locally or on cloud clusters without modification.
🧠 Semantic Web & Geoinformatics
We bridge Linked Open Data (LOD) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to enable interoperable, FAIR-compliant spatial research:
| Project | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| rdfmapper | Declarative Object-RDF Mapper for Python | GitHub |
| QGISSPARQL | Bridge Triple Stores ↔ QGIS for semantic mapping | GitHub |
| DBCells | Publish spatial modeling data as Linked Data cubes | GitHub |
🎯 These projects feed into DisSModel’s provenance layer: every experiment records SHA-256 checksums, TOML specs, and Git commits for full reproducibility.
📖 Research Trajectory
DisSModel did not emerge from a blank slate. It synthesizes two decades of inquiry:
| Period | Project | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–2002 | Terra Translator (XML, ontologies) | Foundation: semantics + open standards for geographic data |
| 2005 | TerraHS (Haskell + GIS) | Vision: scientific models as verifiable, executable artifacts |
| 2007–2010 | TerraME / LuccME (INPE) | Maturity: spatially explicit dynamic models as scientific objects |
| 2015–2024 | DbCells, Linked Data, QGIS plugins | Infrastructure: reproducibility via rich metadata |
| 2024–2026 | DisSModel (Python, FAIR, cloud-native) | Synthesis: same code from CLI to distributed cluster |
Three principles unite this trajectory:
🔓 Openness as method · 🧩 Interoperability as architecture · ♻️ Reproducibility as requirement
→ Read the full research statement (link para PDF ou página dedicada)
📚 Geospatial Modeling with Python (The Book)
We are writing an open-access book to empower researchers with modern Python tools for geographic data science and simulation.
📘 Read the book (Work in Progress)
🛠️ Contributions welcome! See the repository for guidelines.
👨🏫 Leadership & Mentorship
Prof. Sérgio Souza Costa
Associate Professor of Computer Engineering, UFMA
Researcher, Graduate Program in Environmental Science & Technology (PPGC&TAmb)
🎓 Background: MSc & PhD in Remote Sensing (INPE); Data Processing Technology (UFMA)
🔬 Focus: Reproducible geospatial modeling, functional programming, FAIR data infrastructure
🎓 For Students & Collaborators
We use Notion for mentorship, lecture materials, and project tracking:
🔗 profsergiocosta.notion.site
Interested in joining LambdaGEO?
We welcome motivated PIBIC, and master’s students with interest in:
- 🐍 Python for scientific computing
- 🗺️ GIS, remote sensing, and spatial analysis
- ♻️ Reproducibility, FAIR principles, and open science
- ⚙️ Software engineering for research software
📩 Contact: sergio.costa@ufma.br with a brief note about your background and interests.
🤝 Partners & Affiliations
- 🏛️ UFMA — Federal University of Maranhão
- 🛰️ INPE — National Institute for Space Research (Brazil)
- 🌐 Brazil Data Cube — Open Earth Observation platform
- 🎓 PPGC&TAmb — Graduate Program in Environmental Science & Technology
📬 Stay Connected
- 💻 Code: github.com/LambdaGeo · github.com/DisSModel
- 📘 Docs: lambdageo.github.io/dissmodel
- 📦 PyPI:
pip install dissmodel - ✉️ Email: sergio.costa@ufma.br
“A ciência não deve ser reescrita para ir para a produção.”
(“Science should not need to be rewritten to go into production.”)
— DisSModel Design Principle
news
| Jan 15, 2016 | A simple inline announcement with Markdown emoji! |
|---|---|
| Nov 07, 2015 | A long announcement with details |
| Oct 22, 2015 | A simple inline announcement. |