My path to climate tech began with a deep-rooted passion for environmental advocacy. During my time at the University of Waterloo studying Systems Design Engineering, I focused on understanding the societal and environmental impacts of technology. This culminated in my final year project - developing a climate risk assessment tool for health centers in Malawi, which validated my belief in technology's role in addressing the climate crisis.
Read MoreHow do social and ecological factors shape the distribution of trees in our cities? This question drove my doctoral research, which aimed to unravel the complex relationships between urban biodiversity, social systems, and ecosystem services. Through a multi-scale analysis of Lisbon's urban forest, we discovered patterns that challenge conventional wisdom about urban ecosystems.
Read MoreMy journey to this research began during my PhD, where I studied both the planning of nature-based solutions and the design of information systems to support urban decision-making. What fascinated me was understanding how co-creation processes work at a psychological level — what elements enable genuine collaboration between people and nature in urban settings?
Read MoreWhen I reflect on my path from environmental and forestry engineering to urban systems research, it feels like a winding yet purposeful journey. My fascination with applying ecological concepts to urban environments began during my master’s in urban environmental management at Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Read MoreIn my research, I investigate archetypal developments of settlements on the Swiss Plateau (Figure 1). My arrival to New York City prompted me to think about the potential applicability of my research in the American context.
Read MoreNYC is one of the most densely populated cities in the U.S., and its geography makes it particularly prone to the effects of flooding. As these events become more frequent and severe, millions of residents could be affected, and the failure of critical infrastructure systems (CIS) could have cascading effects, spreading the impact beyond the initial flood zones.
Read MoreMy doctoral research investigates the inclusive governance of urban nature-based solutions (NbS), with a particular emphasis on trade-offs and dilemmas in their planning and governance, as well as the justice implications of these trade-offs throughout the planning cycle.
Read MoreAt the Urban Systems Lab, summer officially begins when the Spring semester concludes, just before Memorial Day, rather than on the June 20th solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
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