We are always excited to hear from prospective student researchers. The lab offers a flat structure where students are treated equally regardless of their personal identity, cultural, and academic backgrounds. We also organize regular social events throughout the year such as Friday beers and group dinners etc. with fellow students, colleagues and friends.
We offer many funded research positions throughout the year. For undergraduate students in particular, the Univeristy offers opportunities such as the Undergraduate Research Award to support a full-time research position with us over summer months (May - August).
If you would like work with us as a student, please get in touch with Dr. Yuhao Lu directly (yuhao.lu@umanitoba.ca). In your email, please include the following: name, year of study, current program, 4-5 sentences on your personal research interests and what you would like to work on with the lab. Please be as specific as possible. If you have past research/design examples, you can also include them in the email.
Dr. Yuhao LU (PhD, BSc)
Yuhao is a student of maps. His research and teaching activities involve geospatial analytics, earth observation, and cartographic design. Yuhao’s work explores the calculative and propositional power of maps and map-making, particularly in settlement design and planning, (urban) forestry, and scenario generation and assessment.
Prior to joining the University of Manitoba, Yuhao has worked at the ETH Zurich Future Cities Laboratory and elementslab (UBC), engaging with projects from neighborhood (e.g. Vancouver, Prince George, Victoria) to regional (e.g. West Java), and global (e.g. pan-pacific) scale.
Yuhao completed his PhD with the IRSS lab in 2018.
Current students
Elia Nikkel (B.EnvD L+U)
Elia is in her fourth year of Environmental Design in the Landscape + Urbanism stream. She loves studying the structure of trees and learning how they grow. She is also interested in digital and analog representations of trees and landscapes. She believes that just as trees grow in communities it is important that people do to and it is important that we find ways to design healthy cities where people can live in community and have a connection to nature. Her past experiences include leading canoe trips on lakes and rivers, rock climbing, lifeguarding and playing water polo.
nikkele1@myumanitoba.ca
Teegan GILLICH (MLA Candidate)
As a student in the Master of Landscape Architecture program, Teegan is drawn to public urban spaces and healthy cities. She is a creative and driven individual, always seeking out new ways to learn and explore. Throughout her education, she has developed a passion for joyful spaces and designing beautiful moments to fit into everyday life. She strongly believes that smart urban landscape design has the opportunity (and the duty) to enliven the city’s diverse ecosystem of human and non-human systems. In between her busy schedule, Teegan loves to attend board game and movie nights with friends. When the weather permits, they will try their best to rally in a game of spike-ball, though there is a lot of room for improvement.
Bayan Shaeri is a third-year student in the Environmental Design program at the University of Manitoba. He is curious to explore how technology enhances learning, and strives to contribute to this ongoing process of discovery and synthesis. Constantly seeking new opportunities to inform his perspective, Bayan integrates these insights into his evolving design approach. He is particularly interested in fostering harmony between humans and nature. Progressively learning various software tools enriches Bayan’s ability to visualize ideas, which are often accompanied by the playful addition of comedic scale figures in his renderings. Outside of academics, he enjoys facilitating Junior Youth Empowerment Program sessions and sipping espresso in the sunshine.
Bayan is a recipient of the 2025 URA at the University of Manitoba.
shaerib@myumanitoba.ca
Bayan SHAERI (B.EnvD L+U)
Kimia TAGHAVI (MLA Candidate)
Kimia, a second-year Master’s student in the Landscape Architecture program at the University of Manitoba, is passionate about blending the philosophy of joy with Landscape Urbanism. She believes that thoughtful design can significantly enhance individual and community well-being by focusing on small details that uplift mood and create joyful experiences in public and community spaces. Her academic and design pursuits are driven by a commitment to exploring how landscape architecture can operate at multiple scales, from intimate environments to expansive urban settings.
Her innovative approach to design is centered on fostering meaningful connections between people and nature, with a focus on infusing joy into everyday experiences. She aims to make a lasting impact on how we experience and interact with our surroundings by creating spaces that not only meet functional needs but also inspire happiness and well-being.
Outside of her studies, Kimia finds inspiration in exploring libraries and art galleries, immersing herself in literature and visual arts. In her free time, she enjoys wandering through these spaces.
taghavik@myumanitoba.ca
We are grateful for these who worked with us during their time at the Faculty.
They shaped who we are today.
Ben BOSWICK (MLA) Reece CULLEN (B.EnvD) Matthew GLOWACKI (MLA ) Gel ILAGAN (MLA) Kyra KWIATKOWSKI (B.EnvD) Zach PANKRATZ (B.EnvD) Miguel SIGUENZA (B.EnvD) Brandan GATZ (B.EnvD)
