Become a Landscape Architect

Meet the Authors: ASLA’s STEM Literacy by Design

Meet the Authors Continues: STEM Literacy by Design featuring Purdue University Graduates and Authors of Monsters Love Native Blooms: Exploring Indiana Native Plants and Their Habitat 

 

                                                                                                 Photo credit: Yiwei Huang, ASLA

On Thursday, August 29 - 1:30pm EST, six Purdue University graduates will discuss their journey as landscape architecture graduates and children’s book authors. 

Their book, Monsters Love Native Blooms: Exploring Indiana Native Plants and Their Habitat, is the most recent addition to ASLA’s growing collection of children’s books featured in its STEM Literacy by Design initiative to fuel the steady growth of women in the profession.  

Drawing on their graduate coursework in native plants and design, the authors will discuss how they infused their passion for landscape architecture into a fun, creative work of literary art and offer tips for writing children's book. 

Presenters include Yiwei Huang, ASLA, Chloe Kennedy, ASLA, Kayla Kramer, ASLA, Autumn McNinch, ASLA, Molly Wimberg, ASLA, and Wanting Zhang, ASLA. 

 

Registration is required here.

About the Authors 

Yiwei Huang is an assistant professor of landscape architecture at Purdue University. Her research focuses on the relationships between people and the outdoor environment, and she is a co-author of the textbook "Outdoor Environments for People: Considering Human Factors in Landscape Design" published by Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group. She was a course instructor and independent research leader for this group of five aspiring young ladies, and her current project focuses on working with school-age children to co-create more equitable and greener cityscapes. 

 Chloe Kennedy graduated from Purdue University with her BS in Landscape Architecture in 2023. Having grown up with teachers in the family, she has always harbored a passion for education. She currently works for KFM Engineering and Design in Dallas, TX.

 Kayla Kramer is a recent graduate from Purdue landscape architecture program, and a current landscape designer at Catalyst. Growing up, Kayla always had an affinity toward working with kids, whether it was teaching children’s swimming lessons or running summer camps. She is excited and grateful that she gets to merge this passion of hers with her professional path and love for the natural environment.

 Molly Wimberg enjoys problem-solving landscape design challenges specifically in the affordable housing and educational realms by understanding the confluence of well-thought out design and environmental constraints. She’s a landscape designer at Copley Wolff in Boston, Massachusetts and is able to work creatively and technically on a variety of different projects based in the New England area. Coming from Cincinnati, Ohio, she appreciates the unique beauty of the Northeast coast and enjoys traveling and investigating different surrounding towns and seeking out interesting landscapes.

Wanting Zhang is a landscape architecture designer and a recent graduate from Purdue University with a master's degree. Currently working at MKSK, she focuses on solving social problems through design, aiming to create environments that positively impact future generations.

Autumn McNinch graduated from Purdue University with her BS in Landscape Architecture in 2023, like Chloe, Kayla, and Molly, and is now a landscape architecture analyst at Kimley Horn. She has interests in graphic design and community engagement, and she loves opportunities in which she can educate people on the importance of native plant habitats in our communities. Her goal in the landscape architecture career is to create effective ways to communicate to people the importance of rehabilitating our environment, and show how landscape architecture plays a vital part in designing the world!

 Past webinar: 

August 9 - Meet the Authors of ASLA STEM Literacy by Design featuring Baldev Lamba (author of Green Green: A Community Gardening Story), ASLA, Xaio Cui, ASLA (author of Emma's Dream Job: Landscape Architecture), and Ann English, ASLA (author of A is for Aquifer) 

 

   

Click here to access the webinar recording (passcode: 2g.nw0hS) 

About the Authors   

Xiao Cui, ASLA

Xiao Cui's artistic journey began at a young age, growing up as the daughter of a graphic designer in China. Her passion for arts and design has been a lifelong pursuit. After successfully earning her graduate degree in Environmental Design in China, Xiao embarked on a bold adventure by relocating to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in landscape architecture at Iowa State University. 

As an international designer, Xiao is committed to fostering connections among diverse communities and celebrating cultural richness through her innovative design concepts. Her diverse background, spanning the realms of art and landscape architecture, has consistently fueled her creative spirit. It is this very creativity that has driven her to undertake a distinctive project - the creation of a children's storybook titled "Emma’s Dream Job – Landscape Architect." Her aim is to help young children discover their passions from a tender age, much like her own family did for her.  

Presently, Xiao Cui works at LandDesign and calls Dallas, Texas her home. 

Ann English, PLA, ASLA, LEED® AP BD+C

Ann English, PLA, ASLA, LEED® AP BD+C is a landscape architect currently focused on green infrastructure. Ms. English is both a designer and teacher who has worked in the private, non-profit and governmental sectors. She is passionate about plants, and how to design and evaluate plant performance in the environments in which they are planted. She also loves water in all its forms. Her degrees are in American History, Regional Planning and Landscape Architecture. A is for Aquifer is her first book. 

Baldev Lamba, ASLA

Baldev Lamba is principal of Lamba Associates, landscape architects and an Associate Professor at Temple University. He earned his MLA from the University of Pennsylvania and his B.Arch. from the Delhi University in India.  

Lamba’s notable practice accomplishments include the international award-winning First Ladies Water Garden in Washington D.C.; the Excellence in Research and Creative Work Award from the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture; his of highly acclaimed and award-winning series of Pop-Up Parks in his hometown, Doylestown, PA.  and the publication of GREEN GREEN, a children’s picture book.     

As an educator, Lamba has spearheaded a number of award-winning exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show, which have won awards from regional and national organizations in the categories of design, environment, conservation, horticultural excellence, and exceptional educational merit. His design studios, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, have also received numerous awards and recognitions.  

Lamba’s recent leadership extends to serving as President of the PA-DE  Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, as past Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture at Temple University. 

About STEM Literacy by Design

 STEM Literacy by Design is intended to encourage young girls to explore landscape architecture using fun, poetic, and colorful stories about adventurous girls who find their passion, courage, and "Girl Power" in the great outdoors. The initiative creates an environment that inspires readers to grow in their understanding of their communities, the natural environment, and their role as stewards of the land, while "Girl Power" promotes the importance of self-esteem for young girls and women. 

To date, over 20 ASLA Chapters and a growing community of ASLA members signed on to partner with their local elementary schools to deliver story time readings of the books and host design charrettes with participating students.

Please direct questions about the webinar or Career Discovery and Diversity to Lisa J. Jennings at ljennings@asla.org.