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Matthew H. Ruther, PhD
Director
502.852.8151
matthew.ruther@louisville.edu

Dr. Ruther is an Associate Professor in the Department of Urban and Public Affairs and the Director of the Kentucky State Data Center. His research focuses on small area population estimation, the geographic distribution and temporal analysis of population, and the incorporation of spatial methodologies into the study of social and demographic processes.

 

Sumei Zhang, PhD
Data Scientist
502.852.7915
sumei.zhang@louisville.edu

Dr. Zhang is a data scientist at the KSDC. Her research interests include regional economics, spatial statistics, mathematical modeling, and geographical information systems, with a focus on its application in urban planning.

 

Tom Sawyer
Research Manager
502.852.8913
502.852.7990
tsawyer@louisville.edu

Tom is Kentucky’s liaison for the Federal-State Cooperative Program for Population Estimates at the Census Bureau. He is also is the primary contact for data requests made through the KSDC website and main phone line. Tom manages databases of vital statistics and other administrative records used by the KSDC in research projects conducted for state and local governments, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. Tom earned his BA and MS degrees from the University of Louisville.