What is a Faculty Mentor?
Each Focus Area has faculty mentors who are here to support you! Whether you’re looking for course advice, want to chat about your interests, or need help brainstorming a capstone idea, mentors are a great resource. You can reach out to them directly to schedule a time to meet—just like visiting office hours, but focused on your goals and interests.
Find more information about each faculty mentor below, or click a name on the right to jump to their section.
David Bart
Email: dbart@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Ecological Restoration
Dr. David Bart’s research focuses on human-environmental interactions, with a particular emphasis on conservation and restoration ecology. His interdisciplinary training in social sciences, ecology, and philosophy of science equips him to address the challenges of understanding and mitigating environmental change. Dr. Bart’s expertise in wetland ecology and plant invasions contributes to the development of effective ecological restoration strategies. His focus areas include Ecological Restoration and Human-Environmental Interactions, where he applies methods to prevent ecological degradation and restore natural habitats, particularly in wetlands.
Education:
Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolution – Rutgers University
M.A. in Anthropology – Rutgers University
B.S. in Human Ecology
Anna Bierbrauer
Email: abierbrauer@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Climate Action and Resilience | GeoDesign and GIS
Dr. Anna Bierbrauer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture whose work bridges landscape architecture, political ecology, and geospatial analysis. Her research examines how power, cultural values, and climate change influence the management and design of urban and regional landscapes. With expertise in both Climate Action and Resilience and GeoDesign and GIS, Dr. Bierbrauer’s work integrates spatial data and critical historical analysis to promote equity and environmental stewardship in changing urban environments.
Education:
Ph.D. in Geography, Planning, and Design – University of Colorado Denver
Master of Landscape Architecture – University of Minnesota
B.A. in Performance Theory and Political Systems – The George Washington University
Edward Boswell
Email: epboswell@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: GeoDesign and GIS
Dr. Edward Boswell is a Teaching Faculty member specializing in GIS and GeoDesign. With a background in soil science, horticulture, and biology, his work focuses on urban soils, water quality, and applying geospatial tools to environmental and land use challenges. As part of the GeoDesign and GIS focus area, Dr. Boswell integrates scientific analysis and spatial technologies to address environmental remediation and sustainable land management.
Education:
Ph.D. in Soil Science – University of Wisconsin–Madison
M.S. in Horticulture – Penn State University
B.S. in Biology – Penn State University
Edna Ely-Ledesma
Email: eledesma@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Climate Action and Resilience | Community Food Systems | GeoDesign and GIS
Dr. Edna Ely-Ledesma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture and Director of the Kaufman Lab for the Study and Design of Food Systems and Marketplaces. Her research focuses on urban design, public space, and food systems, with a strong emphasis on equity, immigrant communities, and cultural landscapes. As part of the Climate Action and Resilience, Community Food Systems, and GeoDesign and GIS focus areas, Dr. Ely-Ledesma bridges geospatial analysis with inclusive design, helping shape just, green, and community-centered urban environments.
Education:
Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Science – Texas A&M University
Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Design – University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Environmental Design – Texas A&M University
Ken Genskow
Email: kgenskow@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Climate Action and Resilience | Public Policy, Systems, and Environments
Dr. Ken Genskow is a Professor in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, specializing in environmental planning, watershed management, and collaborative resource governance. His research focuses on participatory approaches to environmental policy, the role of social science in resource management, and strategies for building resilient watersheds and communities. As part of the Climate Action and Resilience and Public Policy, Systems, and Environments focus areas, Dr. Genskow advances planning methods that integrate environmental stewardship, equity, and effective stakeholder engagement.
Education:
Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning – University of Wisconsin–Madison
Master’s in Urban Planning and B.S. in General Engineering – University of Illinois
Nathan Larson
Email: nathanlarson@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Climate Action and Resilience | Community Food Systems | Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments | Public Policy, Systems, and Environments | Transportation
Nathan Larson is a Teaching Faculty member in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture whose work bridges health equity, food systems, environmental education, and climate action. He directs the Cultivate Health Initiative, advancing school garden networks across Wisconsin through policy and systems change. As part of the Climate Action and Resilience, Community Food Systems, Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments, Public Policy, Systems, and Environments, and Transportation focus areas, Nathan’s work supports cross-sector collaboration and transformative approaches to community well-being.
Education:
M.S. in Geography – University of Wisconsin–Madison
B.A. in History, Global Cultures, and Integrated Liberal Studies – UW–Madison
Carey McAndrews
Email: cmandrews@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments | Transportation
Dr. Carey McAndrews is Professor and Chair of the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture. Her research centers on transportation planning and policy, with a focus on how health, safety, and equity goals can be integrated into decision-making systems. Through work on arterial corridors, active transportation, and mobility justice, she contributes to the Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments and Transportation focus areas, advancing inclusive approaches to planning that improve both individual and community outcomes.
Education:
Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning – University of California, Berkeley
M.C.P. in Urban Planning and M.S. in Transportation Engineering – UC Berkeley
B.A. in Economics – Brown University
Alfonso Morales
Email: morales1@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Community Food Systems | Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments | Public Policy, Systems, and Environments
Dr. Alfonso Morales is a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor and State Specialist in Food Systems. His work bridges applied research, planning theory, and policy to support equitable food systems, public markets, and community development. As founder of Farm2Facts and co-creator of the Kaufman Lab, he leads innovative collaborations across disciplines and sectors. In the Community Food Systems, Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments, and Public Policy, Systems, and Environments focus areas, Dr. Morales advances inclusive, evidence-based approaches to economic development, health equity, and public space design.
Education:
Ph.D. in Sociology – Northwestern University
M.S. in Sociology – University of Chicago
M.S. in Political Economy – University of Texas at Dallas
B.S./B.A. in Economics and Sociology – New Mexico State University
Maria Moreno
Email: maria.moreno@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Climate Action and Resilience
Dr. Maria Moreno is a Teaching Faculty member in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, specializing in community-engaged learning, land-based restoration education, and global outreach. Her work centers on building resilience and environmental stewardship through education initiatives that connect young people and communities to the land. As part of the Climate Action and Resilience focus area, Dr. Moreno’s teaching and outreach efforts foster sustainable, culturally grounded approaches to environmental health and restoration.
Education:
Ph.D. in Anthropology – University of Wisconsin–Madison
M.A. in International Relations – Boston University
B.A. in Political Science – American University
Gus Reed
Email: cgreed@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Climate Action and Resilience | Community Food Systems | Ecological Restoration| Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments
Carl “Gus” Reed is an Assistant Teaching Professor whose teaching and design work center on sustainability, community engagement, and landscape restoration. With experience in both international and domestic landscape design—including a Fulbright Specialist Grant in the Kyrgyz Republic—he brings a global perspective to environmental planning. His contributions to Climate Action and Resilience, Community Food Systems, Ecological Restoration, and Health and Wellbeing in Urban Environments emphasize accessible green space, sustainable horticulture, and culturally responsive landscape design.
Education:
Master of Landscape Architecture – Cornell University
B.A. in History – Middlebury College
Revel Sims
Email: revel.sims@wisc.edu
Focus Areas: Housing
Dr. Revel Sims is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture and the Chican@ and Latin@ Studies Program. His research focuses on housing justice, displacement, gentrification, and the racialized dimensions of urban change. Drawing on spatial analysis and community-based research, Dr. Sims brings a critical lens to planning practice and theory. As part of the Housing focus area, his work supports equitable development and policy solutions that center tenant rights and community resilience.
Education:
Ph.D. in Urban Planning – University of California, Los Angeles
M.S. in Urban Planning – UCLA
B.A. in History – UCLA