Analytical, Creative, Self-Driven
and Personable Student of Nature
Graduate in Urban Planning and Sustainability currently studying Landscape Architecture with the goal to design environmentally focused, connected and community driven sites.
During the International Masters of Landscape Architecture, teaching is centered around global landscape planning, with projects focused on developing landscapes in harmony with cultural values as well as the ecosystem needs. Technical skills such as GIS and rendering are developed through coursework and projects.
The first semester was focused on understanding your new home in southern Germany, with many educational excursions around the city to learn the culture, environment, and ecosystem that is new to most students. Through these excursions, design projects were conceptually imagined and then later transcribed through visual representation. In the first project urban agriculutre was integrated with education to provide further learning opppurtunites. In the second design the current train station was expanded by the addition of a bridge over the tracks connecting the undermound parking structure with the station. Housing and cafes were added as well as a bridge made of Willow Trees to connect with the other side of the river.
I was honored to receive the Vice President of Student Affairs (VPSA) Leadership Scholarship at San Diego State University (SDSU). This opportunity provided me with extensive leadership training, culminating in both a certificate and a minor in Leadership Studies. The program also connected me with invaluable mentors and opened doors to attend various conferences and summits. Additionally, I gained hands-on experience as a Peer Leadership Consultant, where I was able to share my insights and contribute to the growth of my peers.
I have utilized GIS as a tool to analyze and showcase my findings throughout my bachelor's and master's degrees.
I completed an ecosystem service analysis of the forest in Fresing using geoprocessing tools.
In this project, I analyzed land usage in the United States through a land density map in ArcGIS Pro before uploading and editing it in ArcGIS online.
I researched food access in City Heights, San Diego, analyzing place and food sourcing options. The final presentation speaks to the need for the USDA to change their terminology and expand their data regarding food deserts. My research is presented through story maps here:
Building off of my interest in the area, I joined Professor Pascale Marcelli for a research study regarding street vendors' livelihood. Using GIS, I analyzed the data collected through Field Maps and created 12 maps for the final report, which is planned to be sent to the city of San Diego regarding their policy changes limiting street vendor mobility.
During my time at SDSU, I had the opportunity to study development, gender, and social change in the Himalaya through the School of International Training in Nepal. Here, I studied the development of rural communities and social justice for women in rural communities. I wrote my thesis regarding the historical architecture of Kathmandu: Priorities of Urban Development in Kathmandu and the Environmental Consequences.
SDSU Leadership Summit (2019, 2021, 2022), Greenbuild International Conference and Expo - volunteer (2021 & 2022), and GEOClic Workshop - weeklong GIS workshop focused on coastal erosion effects.
As a research assistant for the CityBees Project run by Dr. Monika Egerer and over seen by PhD student Alex Zink at the Technical University of Munich, I am responsible for data collection. During this project we observe pollinator habits, test pollination levels on two different species of plants and identify pollinators through preserving them using pan traps. This project has involved field work over the summer and excites me as we begin the data processing section next. You can learn more about the project here.
After completion of my bachelors degree I accepted a job as the director of agriculture at Bryant Farm and Forest, a small start up permaculture farm in Washington state. The responsibility included oversight and implementation of the seed rotation and planting layout for the one and a half acre vegetable plot. During this time soils were tested, nutrients was applied to the overgrown lot to begin the soil regeneration process, and hundreds of seeds were started in preparation for fall planting. I designed vegatable beds and permaculture zones 0, 1 and 2 around the property’s house in accordance with permaculture principles.
As SDSU's energy and data analyst intern, I updated and oversaw the energy tracking database, and managed the university’s portfolio platform switch to Energy Star. Further, more I encouraged certification of Green Labs, created events to engage students in sustainability and implemented ideas to create more efficient and sustainable energy usage, such as adding timers to building lights and heating periods.
My first experience working in permaculture and agriculture planning was an immersive experience in Hilo, Hawai’i. During this program I had the opportunity to develop a garden layout for the main house, manage rental properties and do field work involving reintroducing native plants to the property learning first hand the interdependency we have in our ecosystem.
During my first year of studies at SDSU I worked as the community education and project manager intern with Tree San Diego. During my six month internship I developed educational content and workshops for children to connect with nature through art. Data was collected using Field Maps regarding San Diego’s tree coverage for a report on the effect of urban heating in historically disadvantaged communities. I also coordinated volunteer efforts to plant trees all around San Diego. This organization opened my eyes to the impact our disconnection to nature has on our urban cities and inspired me to dive into agriculture.
During my studies I held multiple leadership roles and collaborated with various organizations on campus to advance sustainability. Some of the projects are listed below,
I facilitated SDSU’s community garden chapter, where we managed two plots within the community garden in our neighborhood. I increased student relationships, coordinated and presented weekly meetings ranging from planting layout for growth efficiency to food insecurity and ways to combat it in our community. In addition I partnered with the Community Area Baptist Church to begin planning their community garden.
This committee was co-founded by my colleague McKenna Avery and I based on the need for a student chapter to advocate for advancement of SDSU’s policy. We drafted and had the university approve a deal to start testing reusable to-go plates and cutlery in spring of 2020, but due to the pandemic the project was canceled. During my involvement with the committee we sat in on meetings with university officials and spoke in San Diego’s City Council encouraging energy efficiency bills. In addition we advocated for sustainability to be talked about in all sectors of university policy, specifically investments, energy and new building projects. We also had the opportunity to comment on and advise change in the Environmental Impact Report for the new campus SDSU is building.
This group organized based on a need for university accountability regarding eight asks from our climate strikes, we met weekly to track progress. I worked with the school regarding our ask to encourage recyclable take out items on campus, utilize local food sourcing and push for more transparency on food labels. Aztec foods is responsible for much of the campus food and I met with student representatives to encourage sustainability be at the forefront of Aztec Food’s long term goals.
In this student and faculty organization I had the chance to work with a professor and faculty member to create an eight week seminar on environmental justice. We drafted policy, that was accepted, to require recycled paper for all paper products on campus: A.S. Sustainability Achievements
Urban gardening, foodscapes, ground up solutions, cooking, environmental justice, reading, crafting and chess.
I am a super active person, I find myself doing something different everyday. Between mountain climbing, trail running, swimming, surfing, biking, skiing or teaching yoga I stay busy! I completed my YTT 200 certification in May of 2023 after eight years of practice and have been teaching in studios and online ever since. When I am not pondering sustainable design, this is where you’ll find me.
ArcGIS Pro, Online, Database, StoryMaps, Urban, Field Maps, Survey 123, Microsoft Fleet, Adobe Creative Cloud (illustrator, Photoshop and Lightroom), Google Suite, Procreate and Energy STARS Portfolio Manager
Learning: VectorWorks and Revit
