Team
The Natural Learning Initiative team is composed of committed professionals with diverse professional and personal backgrounds. Our team has expertise in landscape architecture, architecture, urban planning, geographical information systems (GIS), early childhood development and policy, and play.
Professor Robin C. Moore
Robin Moore holds degrees in architecture (London University) and urban planning (MIT), and for most of his career has worked in the field of landscape architecture as educator, researcher, and consultant. Moore is an international authority on the design of children's play and learning environments, user needs research, and participatory public open space design.
Dr. Nilda Cosco
Nilda Cosco, PhD, is Director of Programs, The Natural Learning Initiative; Research Associate Professor, College of Design, and former Director of the Center for Universal Design. Her responsibilities include: design programming and research of outdoor environments for children with and without disabilities;
Brad Bieber
Brad Bieber, MLA, works as a Design Associate at the Natural Learning Initiative. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University, where he focused on sustainable play and learning environments for children and families.
Adina Cox
Adina Cox is pursuing a Ph.D in Design and works as a Research Assistant at the Natural Learning Initiative. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and a Master of Natural Resources and Graduate Certificate in GIS from North Carolina State University.
Tom Danninger
Tom Danninger, MS in Nuclear Physics, works as a Research Associate at the Natural Learning Initiative. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics and a Master of Science in Nuclear Theoretical Physics from Marquette University. He also earned a Certificate in Geographical Information Systems from North Carolina State University.
Jong Seon Lee
Jong Seon Lee is a PhD student in Design at NCSU College of Design and works as a Research Assistant at the Natural Learning Initiative. She holds Bachelor of Science in Horticulture and Architecture from Korea University, and Master of Landscape Architecture from Seoul National University, Korea.
Sarah Little
Sarah Little, Landscape Architect, MLA, RLA, is pursuing a PhD in Design at the College of Design and works as a research assistant and design associate at the Natural Learning Initiative.
Muntazar Monsur
Muntazar is a Design-PhD student at the College of Design in North Carolina State University and works as a Research Assistant at the Natural Learning Initiative. He has received both his Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture from Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Julie Murphy
Julie Murphy is a Design Assistant at the Natural Learning Initiative. She began work at the NLI as a student in 2007, and received a Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture from NC State University in May 2010. She has been pleased to continue with the NLI as a part of the exciting work transforming children's outdoor environments for the generations to come.
Michele Rivest
Michele Rivest works as the Early Childhood Education Coordinator at the Natural Learning Initiative. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. At NLI, Michele is able to combine her expertise in early childhood education and policy with her love for horticulture, gardening and landscape design.
Jesse Turner
Jesse Turner is a Landscape Architect and Design Coordinator at the Natural Learning Initiative. He has over a decade of professional design experiences ranging from art museums to his current work in children's outdoor environments.
Eli Valsing
Elizabeth (Eli) Valsing is the project coordinator at Natural Learning Initiative. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theater and English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Sarah Konradi
Sarah Konradi is a Design Associate at the Natural Learning Initiative. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design, and a Master of Landscape Architecture from North Carolina State University. Sarah was a recipient of the 2011 ASLA Award of Excellence in Communications for her contributions to the SHIFT: infrastructure publication.
Zahra Zamani
Zahra Zamani is a research assistant at Natural Learning Initiative and she is studying as a PhD candidate in Design at NCSU, College of Design. She holds a Master’s degree in Landscape architecture and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture at University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. She developed her practical design skills working on landscape and architecture projects until 2010.
