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, interdisciplinary science, diversity in & for science ... hound dogs, cooking, hiking, all the mountains!
Noortje Grijseels (she/her)
M.S. Biological Sciences – Limnology & Oceanography, University of Amsterdam, 2016Lab 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, 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 Uta, 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!
Talon Roberts (he/him)
B.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies, University of Utah, 2023Master of City and Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah, 2025
Research Assistant, Natural History Museum of Utah
Email: u1095683@utah.edu
Interests: Interests: urban ecology, sustainable planning and development, paleoclimatology, drought, climate change, climate science, air quality, environmental justice, and the interconnectivity of people and the environment. I also love food, playing the drums, exploring the outdoors, exploring new cities, astronomy, and my family (my wife, cat, and plants).
Rylee Babino
B.S. Geography and the Environment, University of North Texas
Graduate Student, City & Metropolitan Planning
M.C.M.P. Research: Developing Riparian Protection Guidance for Municipalities Along the Jordan River
Interests: Urban environments, trees, geomorphology, content analysis, national parks, camping, writing, birds, and water sports.
Abbi Anderson (she/her)
Undergraduate student, B.S. Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Undergraduate Research AssistantEmail: aanderson@nhmu.utah.edu
Undergraduate Research: Environmental and Sustainability, Land Managment and Conservation
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, 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!
Natasha Grant (she/her)
B.S. Biology, Colorado Christian UniversityGraduate Student, City and 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.
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LAB ALUMNI
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: Working with the UNT Mean Green Fund.
Molly Burke, NSF Post-Bacc Student
Now: M.S. Student in Geography, University of Utah.
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
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
Bird feathers as biomonitors of soot pollution
Now: Researcher, Global Energy Monitor
Brett Luce, B.S. 2018
Mapping and measuring PM2.5 concentrations in a rapidly growing urban area: a student cyclist perspective
Now: Owner, Enchantment Glamping
Jenna Rindy, M.S. 2018
Urban trees as sinks for soot: Deposition of atmospheric elemental carbon to oak canopies and litterfall flux to soil
Now: Environmental and Sustainability Specialist, Sibelco Group
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
Are streams protected? Outcomes of environmental regulation
Now: Stormwater Inspector, City of Denton, Texas
Patrick Edington, M.S. 2017
Assessing rainfall interception by urban tree canopies in Denton, Texas
Now: Land surveyor, Bureau of Land Management, Salem, Oregon
Jennifer Bailey, M.S. 2016
Western spruce budworm effects on throughfall C, N, and P fluxes in a Central Washington forest
Now: Science Educator at Outschool, Grand Junction, Colorado
Ingrid Patel, M.S. 2014
Structure, composition, and regeneration of Cross Timbers forest fragments in different land-use contexts
Now: Owner and Head, Redbird Equestrian, Chesterfield Virginia
Alicia Leacox, M.S. 2014
Importance and spatial distribution of Phytophthora ramorum host species in a coast redwood forest
Now: Education and Outreach Coordinator, Palouse Conservation District
Kereen Joseph, 2014
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
Matthew LaFevor (postdoctoral mentee/collaborator 2014-2016).
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014-16, National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), Annapolis, Maryland
Now: Assistant Professor, 2016-current, Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
http://www.matthewlafevor.com
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: Working with the UNT Mean Green Fund.
Molly Burke, NSF Post-Bacc Student
Now: M.S. Student in Geography, University of Utah.
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
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
Bird feathers as biomonitors of soot pollution
Now: Researcher, Global Energy Monitor
Brett Luce, B.S. 2018
Mapping and measuring PM2.5 concentrations in a rapidly growing urban area: a student cyclist perspective
Now: Owner, Enchantment Glamping
Jenna Rindy, M.S. 2018
Urban trees as sinks for soot: Deposition of atmospheric elemental carbon to oak canopies and litterfall flux to soil
Now: Environmental and Sustainability Specialist, Sibelco Group
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
Are streams protected? Outcomes of environmental regulation
Now: Stormwater Inspector, City of Denton, Texas
Patrick Edington, M.S. 2017
Assessing rainfall interception by urban tree canopies in Denton, Texas
Now: Land surveyor, Bureau of Land Management, Salem, Oregon
Jennifer Bailey, M.S. 2016
Western spruce budworm effects on throughfall C, N, and P fluxes in a Central Washington forest
Now: Science Educator at Outschool, Grand Junction, Colorado
Ingrid Patel, M.S. 2014
Structure, composition, and regeneration of Cross Timbers forest fragments in different land-use contexts
Now: Owner and Head, Redbird Equestrian, Chesterfield Virginia
Alicia Leacox, M.S. 2014
Importance and spatial distribution of Phytophthora ramorum host species in a coast redwood forest
Now: Education and Outreach Coordinator, Palouse Conservation District
Kereen Joseph, 2014
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
Matthew LaFevor (postdoctoral mentee/collaborator 2014-2016).
Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014-16, National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), Annapolis, Maryland
Now: Assistant Professor, 2016-current, Department of Geography, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
http://www.matthewlafevor.com