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!
Rylee Babino
B.S. Geography and the Environment, University of North TexasGraduate Student, Master of City & Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah
M.C.M.P. Research: Developing riparian protection buidance for municipalities along the Jordan River
Interests: Urban environments, trees, geomorphology, content analysis, national parks, camping, writing, birds, and water sports.
Natasha Grant (she/her)
B.S. Biology, Colorado Christian UniversityGraduate Student, Master of City & Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah
Email: natasha.grant@utah.edu
Interests: Urban ecology, sustainability planning, urban forestry, environmental science, botany, green infrastructure, environmental justice, skiing, hiking, sourdough baking, knitting, and reading.
Abbi Anderson (she/her)
Undergraduate student, B.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies, University of utah, Undergraduate Research AssistantEmail: 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)
Undergraduate student, B.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies - Conservation and Land Management, Minor in Urban Ecology, University of Utah, Undergraduate 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.
Santiago Diaz de León Rocha
Undergraduate student, B.S. Urban Ecology, Minor in Design, Summer 2025 SPUR HAPPIEST studentEmail: u1417673@utah.edu
Interests: Urban ecology, sustainable cities, environmental challenges, planning, climbing, swimming, guitar, hiking, snowboarding, tacos!
︎
LAB ALUMNI
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: 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