In middle school, he began collaborating on a website known as OpenGeofiction with others around the world to create a fictional country called Gobrassanya. His world-building continued over the years, including American-inspired states and a tropical island named Baggo Askot.

“Suddenly I went from thinking that this was just a cute little thing I do — sketching maps on the back of my math worksheets in school — to realizing there's a whole community behind this,” Gorby said. “There are other people just like me, who love to do world-building and fantasy mapping.”

Gorby, a triple major in geography, Chinese, and global studies from Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, has recently created a New England-style state called Hyde from the ground up. This involves creating transportation networks, natural parks, waterways, city centers, and even governments. “You have to know how societies work,” he said. “It’s a really big task to try and make up a whole group of people or nations.”

In high school, he became a Google Maps reviewer as a lark to put his favorite restaurants and other places on the map. Now, he is a paid researcher conducting UX research into new Google Maps and YouTube software to improve the platforms.

Mapping real challenges

At UR, his geography professors recognized his affinity for mapping and skills that include working with a Geographic Information System.

“I have a good eye for figuring out how natural land features are supposed to look, not only for fictional world building, but also from going on Google Maps on the satellite view for hours on end and analyzing waterways, coastal marshes, and forests,” Gorby said.

Geography, Environment, & Sustainability professor Stephanie Spera recruited him for a research project she is conducting with professors and students at the University of Vermont that identifies land use in the Brazilian Cerrado. Gorby worked on the project during the summer after his first year at Richmond.

“Brazil's Cerrado or savanna region is similar to the Amazon rainforest in that they are both being squashed by human development,” he said.

“Dr. Spera opened up the potential of our spatial analysis lab. She showed me the vast opportunities and software we have for mapping and how that can be used for good, because land use identification is critical for farmers. It's good for forest managers. It's good for fighting climate change.”

Early last fall, Gorby presented his Brazil Cerrado project to students at the University of Vermont, teaching them how to identify what crops were being planted on a field by examining satellite imagery.  He also presented the project at the annual conference of the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers in Greenville, South Carolina.

In November, he traveled to Peru and the Amazon rainforest with Sophomore Scholars in Residence.

“Charlie is a passionate global citizen and talented cartographer.  He tells powerful and persuasive stories through visual mediums like maps, videos, and social media,” said his advisor, David Salisbury, chair of the geography, environment, & sustainability department. “I love having Charlie in class because he is a fearless and insatiable learner. He always asks the question that the people around him want to ask but hesitate to do so.”

When Gorby first arrived at UR, he wondered if he would fit in with his super niche interests but has since found a home through student clubs and the geography department. When he’s not engaged in map-making, he sings bass for the co-ed a cappella group Off the Cuff and deejays for the campus radio station, WDCE-FM.

“I have a weekly show on Saturdays called Sandalgaze where I play mostly indie, psychedelic, and classic rock.” He also takes part in the Geography Club and Hillel.

“I think the word community gets bounced around a lot, with many colleges or workplaces trying to appeal to young folks, but the geography department at our school is the definition of community to me.”