Photo Credit: Austin Garcia Photography

About

Hello, I’m Rachael. I’m currently in my third year of a PhD in Human Ecology - Design Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and I work part-time as a landscape architect.

Two of my best skills are trying new things and making lists. Since I love lists so much, I think the best way to describe myself is through a couple of lists.

Current obsessions: trying unusual foods, mindfulness practices, staying healthy, and organizing my life.

My Goals for the Year: I aim to avoid doing things I don't want to do, cultivate empathy for others even when I haven't experienced similar hardships, and prioritize important matters over urgent ones.

Some character traits I aspire to be described as: authentic, down-to-earth, intelligent, curious, accountable, and helpful.

PUBLICATIONS

[1]   Meera, B., Skrove, Z., Kinney, L., Lee, J., Shields, R., Sprecher, B., Tredinnick, R., Ponto, K., Shin, J., Fields, B (Under Review) (2024). The Usability of the Augmented Reality Home Assessment Tool (ARHAT): A Survey Study. Journal of Aging and Environment.

[2] Shin, J., Shields, R., Lee, J., Skrove, Z., Tredinnick, R., Ponto, K., & Fields, B. (2024). mHealth Apps for Home Assessment for Community Living: A Systematic Quality Appraisal and Accessibility Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. https://doi.org/10.2196/52996

[3] Fields, B., Skrove, Z., Tredinnick, R., Sprecher, B., Lee, J., Shields, R., Ponto, K., & Shin, J. (2023). The Usability and Acceptability of the Augmented Reality Home Assessment Tool (ARHAT). Innovation in Aging, 7(Supplement_1), 1142-1143. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igad104.3668

[4]    Shields, R. (2019). The advancement of the application of kinetics in landscape architecture. (MLA Thesis) University of Georgia. https://getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/shields_rachael_m_201908_mla.pdf

[5]    Shields, R., Calabria, J., Orland, B., & Vick, A. (2018). Historic Fourth Ward Park, Phase 1 Methods. The Landscape Performance Series. Landscape Architecture Foundation. https://doi.org/10.31353/cs1381

[6]    Shields, R., Calabria, J., Orland, B., & Vick, A. (2018). University of Georgia Science Learning Center Methods. The Landscape Performance Series. Landscape Architecture Foundation. https://doi.org/10.31353/cs1391


HONORS

  • Registered Landscape Architect - State of Wisconsin No. 864-14

  • Georgia ASLA Honor Award - Research: Evaluating Historic Fourth Ward Park

  • LEED Green Associate

  • SparkUC Innovation Challenge Finalist

  • Matterlab Research Grant - 1st Place

  • Drone Pilot - Remote Pilot License


SOFTWARE SKILLS

  • Adobe: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD, and Premiere Pro

  • CAD: AutoCAD and Land F/X

  • 3D Modeling/Rendering: SketchUp, Lumion, and Rhino

  • Analysis: JMP, SPSS, R, NVivo, Dedoose, ATLAS.ti, G*Power

  • Languages: MATLAB, Python, Bash, R

  • Neuroimaging: AFNI, FSL, SPM

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Environmental Cognitive Enhancement: I am dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults by improving the design of the environments they inhabit or visit. One potentially underutilized design consideration is novelty. Experiencing novelty can offer various benefits, including cognitive enhancement, life satisfaction, happiness, and improved health. I am particularly interested in the cognitive benefits of novelty for older adults. Cognitive decline is often accepted as an unavoidable symptom of aging, but I believe there is an opportunity for older adults to take a proactive approach in staving off decline through exposure to novel environments.

Kinetic Landscapes: Kinetics in the built environment refers to movement that can range from adjustable seating to movable trees to an urban plaza that robotically transforms based on need. Imagine benches or crosswalks being controlled by an app on your phone. Currently, kinetics is primarily seen in moving sculptures or stadium roofs, but the future holds abundant opportunities for kinetics in landscapes. The built environment should have the flexibility to adapt to change—whether societal, environmental, or user-specific—without the need for continual demolition. Kinetic environments can make increasingly limited green spaces more efficient and provide a powerful new addition to participatory design, allowing users to customize their environment to their particular needs or desires. The inspiring possibilities are seemingly endless.

EDUCATION

  • The University of Wisconsin-Madison | PhD in Human Ecology | Expected Graduation: 2027

  • The University of Georgia | Master of Landscape Architecture | Graduated: August 2019

  • The University of Cincinnati | Bachelor of Science in Architecture | Graduated: May 2016


EMPLOYMENT

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022 - Present)

    • Project Assistant (Madison, Wisconsin)

      • Project Management, UI/UX App Design, Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

      • Research Involving Aging in Place, Green Buildings, Digital Fabrication, and Restorative Environments

      • Makerspace Management

  • Dane County Human Services (2024 - Present) https://www.danecountyhumanservices.org/

    • Marketing and Communications Coordinator

  • Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (2022 - 2024) https://www.cecinc.com/

    • Staff Consultant (Remote)

  • LandDesign (2019 - 2022) http://www.landdesign.com/

    • Landscape Designer (Charlotte, North Carolina)

      • Robotic Prototyping, Drone Flying, Masterplanning, 3D Modeling/Rendering, and Signage Design

  • Streamline Architects (2019) https://streamlinearchitects.com/

    • Landscape Designer (East Moline, Illinois)

      • Assisted in Launching the Landscape Architecture Division of the Firm

  • Carl Vinson Institute of Government (UGA Assistantship) (2018-2019) https://cviog.uga.edu/services-and-research/planning-and-environmental-services/

    • University of Georgia Graduate Assistantship (Athens, Georgia)

      • Masterplanning and Visioning for Various Georgia Municipalities

  • Cambardella LLC | Environmental Planning + Landscape Architecture (2018-2019)

    • Designer (Athens, Georgia)

      • Wayfinding and Signage Standards

      • Product Development – Shipping Container Indoor Environment Control System

  • Landscape Architecture Foundation (2018) https://splash.lafoundation.org/

    • Research Assistant (Athens, Georgia)

      • Case Study Investigation for Historic Fourth Ward Park in Atlanta, Georgia and UGA’s Science Learning Center in Athens, GA

      • Developing Methods of Research in Landscape Architecture to Quantify Social, Economic, and Environmental Benefits

      • Intercept Surveys with Statistical Analysis Using JMP, Census and Zillow Data Analysis, and Water Quality Testing

  • Aglanta (UGA Assistantship) (2018) https://www.aglanta.org/aglanta-infrastucture

    • University of Georgia Graduate Assistantship (Athens, Georgia)

      • Creating Free and Accessible Construction Guides for DIY Farm Structures

  • Terra Tectonics Design Group (2016-2017) http://www.terratectonics.com/

    • Landscape Designer (Clearwater, Florida)

      • Residential Site Plans

      • Irrigation and Planting Plans

      • Streetscape and Highway Projects

  • Quezada Architecture (2015) https://www.qa-us.com/

    • Architecture Intern (San Francisco, California)

      • 3D Modeling (High-End Residential)

      • Construction Document Production

  • Lauck Group (2014) http://www.lauckgroup.com/

    • Interior Design Intern (Dallas, Texas)

      • Rendering Production

      • Material Details

  • Gilmore Group (2014) https://www.gilmoregroup.com/

    • Architecture Intern (New York, New York)

      • ADA Compliance

      • Branding