Principal Investigator
Students
Alumni
Braden Coats
Braden comes from rural Oklahoma and holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Natural Resources with a minor in Soil Science. While at UT, he earned a Master’s in Geology with a focus on Urban Ecology, researching how substrate depths affect vegetation.
Mia Roark
Mia Roark is currently a Planning and Design Specialist for the Tennessee RiverLine. She holds a bachelors in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Tennessee. Mia is passionate about creating resilient, innovative landscapes. Her interests lie in exploring sustainable and regenerative design, integrating natural and built worlds, and finding ways to improve human-nature relationships. In Mia’s free time, she enjoys backpacking the Appalachian Mountains, camping along Norris Lake, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
JD Zimmerman
Hello, I am JD Zimmerman and have been working on Mike Ross’s team for almost 3 years. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences with a concentration in Sustainable Landscape Design here at University of Tennessee, I’ve cultivated a deep understanding of how plants can be utilized to create resilient and environmentally beneficial landscapes. Currently, I’m in the final stretch of completing my Master’s in Landscape Architecture (MLA), where I’ve delved even deeper into the relationship between nature and design. My journey has led me to develop an interest in the ecological performance of plants within green infrastructure systems. What truly fascinates me about landscape architecture is the opportunity to not only create aesthetically pleasing spaces but also to enhance ecological function and promote sustainability. Through my studies and experiences, I’ve come to appreciate the immense potential of plants to mitigate environmental challenges, such as stormwater management and biodiversity conservation.