Ishmael Legaspi is an undergraduate researcher at the University of Southern California studying Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence. His work focuses on applying GIS, spatial analysis, and risk modeling to earthquake preparedness and disaster resilience in Southern California. He currently applies his expertise in ArcGIS and QGIS to examine building exposure, seismic remediation needs, economic losses, and community impacts associated with a potential earthquake along the San Andreas Fault.

Before studying at USC, Ishmael served in the United States Air Force as an Aircraft Structural Maintenance Technician and later as a Targeting Intelligence Analyst, experiences that shaped his interest in risk assessment, imagery analysis, and geospatial decision-making.