Alexandra Ponette-González (she/ella)
Ph.D. Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University, 2009Curator of Urban Ecology, Natural History Museum of Utah
Associate Professor of City & Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah
Email: alexandra.ponette@utah.edu
Learn More: http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=saYhPjYAAAAJ&hl=en
Interests: our changing atmosphere, atmosphere-biosphere interactions, biogeochemical cycles, global change, terrestrial ecosystems, urban ecology, design, and planning, museum collections, radically interdisciplinary science, diversity in & for science ... hound dogs, cooking, hiking, house projects, mountains
Noortje Grijseels (she/her)
M.S. Biological Sciences – Limnology & Oceanography, University of Amsterdam, 2016Lab/Collections Manager, Natural History Museum of Utah
Email: ngrijseels@nhmu.utah.edu
M.S. Thesis Research: Transitions in riparian vegetation structure along a rural-to-urban land use gradient in western North America
Interests: how the physical/natural and human elements of the urban ecosystem interact, green infrastructure/making use of vegetation to mitigate storm water, air quality and other issues in urban settings, water wise landscaping, ecosystem services, sustainability and reuse of materials, community engagement. . . riding bicycles, exploring the mountains, swimming, good food, people.
Yarong Cao (she/her)
M.E. Landscape Architecture, South China University of Technology, 2024Ph.D. student, Metropolitan Planning, Policy, and Design, University of Utah, NSF Graduate Research Assistant
Email: Yarong.Cao@utah.edu
M.E. Thesis Research: Constructing and Optimizing of Ecological Network in Urban-rural Landscape for the Synergy of Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand——A Case Study of Guangzhou-Foshan Metropolitan Area
Interests: Explore the dynamic interactions between ecological-social systems through the lens of ecosystem services to support sustainable landscape planning. I also like making coffee/tea, photography, swimming, and alternative rock!
Nick Barba (he/him)
B.S. Environmental Science (Sustainability & Resource Management)M.S. student, Geography, University of Utah, NSF Graduate Research Assistant
Email: u1526509@umail.utah.edu
M.S. Thesis Research: Effects of social vulnerability
on particulate matter deposition to urban trees across three U.S. cities
Interests: island biogeography, urban greenspace, plant-pollinator interactions, disturbance ecology, environmental-and-community-focused worldviews, and environmental justice - alongside freediving, hiking, reading, baking, and trivia!
Abbi Anderson (she/her)
Undergraduate student, B.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies, University of utah, Undergraduate Research Opportunity Fellow (UROP)Email: aanderson@nhmu.utah.edu
Interests: Sustainable Tourism, Environmental Justice, Sociology, Sustainable Agriculture, backpacking, skiing, climbing, art, exploring the Wasatch, and my family/friends!
Ripley Dossett (they/them)
B.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies - Conservation and Land Management, Minor in Urban Ecology, University of Utah, Research AssistantInterests: sustainable city planning and development, human-wildlife interactions, environmental justice, public transit, community engagement but also bouldering, birding, cosplay, and video games!
Evan Klansnic (he/him)
Undergraduate student, B.S. Sociology, Minor in Writing and Rhetoric Studies, Summer 2025 SPUR HAPPIEST student, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Wilkes Scholar ProgramE-mail: eklansnic@gmail.com
Interests: I love learning about urban sociology, environmental planning, light rail and subway systems, and how architecture influences the coexistence of different cultures. In my free time, I love rock climbing, photography, hiking to the peaks of mountains, 2000s tech and exploring the cities we call our homes.
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LAB ALUMNI
Rylee Babino, M.C.M.P. 2026
Now: Energy Analyst, Tarrant Regional Water District
Talon Roberts, M.C.M.P. 2025
Now: Environmental Scientist II, Division of Environmental Quality, Utah
Emma Glende, M.C.M.P. 2025
Now: Community Development Coordinator, Cottonwood Heights
Savannah Thomas, M.S. 2023
Now: Savannah recently completed an internship with the Scientists in Parks (SIP) program working with the Alaska Fire Ecology Program!
Cody Kimpton, B.S. 2022
Now: Student Service Coordinator, UNT
Molly Burke, NSF Post-Bacc Student
Now: Ph.D. Student in Geography, University of Oregon
Shritha Gayathri, TAMS 2022
Shritha completed an awesome project on particulate matter effects on leaf health.
Now: Undergraduate Student, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Katherina Kang, M.S. 2020
Research: Soil carbon accumulation in an urban ecosystem: canopy cover and management effects
Now: Ph.D. Student, University of Delaware
Tate Barrett, Ph.D. 2019
Now: Owner and Chief Scientist, Barrett Environmental LLC
https://www.barrettenv.com
Claire Pitre, B.S. 2019
Research: Bird feathers as biomonitors of soot pollution
Now: Climate and Energy Researcher, Global Energy Monitor, Austin, Texas
Brett Luce, B.S. 2018
Research: Mapping and measuring PM2.5 concentrations in a rapidly growing urban area: a student cyclist perspective
Now: Owner, Enchantment Glamping, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jenna Rindy, M.S. 2018
Research: Urban trees as sinks for soot: Deposition of atmospheric elemental carbon to oak canopies and litterfall flux to soil
Now: Senior Environmental Specialist
Matthew Thompson, B.S. 2018
Now: Environmental Specialist, Florida Department of Health
Cassidy Winter, B.S. 2017
Now: In Denton, Texas
Zachary Rowen, M.S. 2017
Research: Are streams protected? Outcomes of environmental regulation
Now: Stormwater Inspector, City of Denton, Texas
Patrick Edington, M.S. 2017
Research: Assessing rainfall interception by urban tree canopies in Denton, Texas
Now: Land surveyor, Bureau of Land Management, Salem, Oregon
Jennifer Bailey, M.S. 2016
Research: Western spruce budworm effects on throughfall C, N, and P fluxes in a Central Washington forest
Now: Functional Management Team Lead / NEPA Specialist, Grand Junction, Colorado
Ingrid Patel, M.S. 2014
Research: Structure, composition, and regeneration of Cross Timbers forest fragments in different land-use contexts
Now: Owner and Head, Redbird Equestrian
Alicia Leacox, M.S. 2014
Research: Importance and spatial distribution of Phytophthora ramorum host species in a coast redwood forest
Now: Education and Outreach Manager, Palouse Conservation District, Pullman, Washington
Kereen Joseph, 2014
Research: Effects of vegetation exposure and canopy structure on small-scale variation in atmospheric deposition in a mixed conifer forest.
Now: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist II at ALEX - Alternative Experts, Frederick, Maryland
Matthew LaFevor
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014-16, National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), Annapolis, Maryland
Now: Associate Professor, 2016-current, Department of Geography, University of Alabama
http://www.matthewlafevor.com
Now: Energy Analyst, Tarrant Regional Water District
Talon Roberts, M.C.M.P. 2025
Now: Environmental Scientist II, Division of Environmental Quality, Utah
Emma Glende, M.C.M.P. 2025
Now: Community Development Coordinator, Cottonwood Heights
Savannah Thomas, M.S. 2023
Now: Savannah recently completed an internship with the Scientists in Parks (SIP) program working with the Alaska Fire Ecology Program!
Cody Kimpton, B.S. 2022
Now: Student Service Coordinator, UNT
Molly Burke, NSF Post-Bacc Student
Now: Ph.D. Student in Geography, University of Oregon
Shritha Gayathri, TAMS 2022
Shritha completed an awesome project on particulate matter effects on leaf health.
Now: Undergraduate Student, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Katherina Kang, M.S. 2020
Research: Soil carbon accumulation in an urban ecosystem: canopy cover and management effects
Now: Ph.D. Student, University of Delaware
Tate Barrett, Ph.D. 2019
Now: Owner and Chief Scientist, Barrett Environmental LLC
https://www.barrettenv.com
Claire Pitre, B.S. 2019
Research: Bird feathers as biomonitors of soot pollution
Now: Climate and Energy Researcher, Global Energy Monitor, Austin, Texas
Brett Luce, B.S. 2018
Research: Mapping and measuring PM2.5 concentrations in a rapidly growing urban area: a student cyclist perspective
Now: Owner, Enchantment Glamping, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jenna Rindy, M.S. 2018
Research: Urban trees as sinks for soot: Deposition of atmospheric elemental carbon to oak canopies and litterfall flux to soil
Now: Senior Environmental Specialist
Matthew Thompson, B.S. 2018
Now: Environmental Specialist, Florida Department of Health
Cassidy Winter, B.S. 2017
Now: In Denton, Texas
Zachary Rowen, M.S. 2017
Research: Are streams protected? Outcomes of environmental regulation
Now: Stormwater Inspector, City of Denton, Texas
Patrick Edington, M.S. 2017
Research: Assessing rainfall interception by urban tree canopies in Denton, Texas
Now: Land surveyor, Bureau of Land Management, Salem, Oregon
Jennifer Bailey, M.S. 2016
Research: Western spruce budworm effects on throughfall C, N, and P fluxes in a Central Washington forest
Now: Functional Management Team Lead / NEPA Specialist, Grand Junction, Colorado
Ingrid Patel, M.S. 2014
Research: Structure, composition, and regeneration of Cross Timbers forest fragments in different land-use contexts
Now: Owner and Head, Redbird Equestrian
Alicia Leacox, M.S. 2014
Research: Importance and spatial distribution of Phytophthora ramorum host species in a coast redwood forest
Now: Education and Outreach Manager, Palouse Conservation District, Pullman, Washington
Kereen Joseph, 2014
Research: Effects of vegetation exposure and canopy structure on small-scale variation in atmospheric deposition in a mixed conifer forest.
Now: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist II at ALEX - Alternative Experts, Frederick, Maryland
Matthew LaFevor
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014-16, National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), Annapolis, Maryland
Now: Associate Professor, 2016-current, Department of Geography, University of Alabama
http://www.matthewlafevor.com