Postdoctoral Scholar

Nazia Afrin Trina is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI), within the College of Design at NC State University. She serves as a Design Lead and researcher on state- and national-level initiatives focused on advancing nature-based outdoor learning environments. Her work includes leading the design development of model natural play and learning spaces, managing large-scale and multi-state projects to improve childcare outdoor environments, including Preventing Obesity by Design (POD). She conducts trend and design research to support STEM/STEAM learning, healthy eating, and physical activity, while ensuring compliance with approved research and evaluation protocols. Her responsibilities also include grant development, research dissemination, and stakeholder engagement, working closely with educators, policymakers, and community partners to translate research into practice.

Trina completed her undergraduate degree in Architecture from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh. In 2016, she started working as a lecturer in the Department of Architecture at Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Bangladesh. Later, she completed her Master of Landscape Architecture degree and PhD in Land-Use Planning, Management, and Design from Texas Tech University, USA.

Her current research investigates how the intentional design of outdoor environments across formal, informal, and community-based contexts can promote equitable, high-quality learning, health, and well-being for children. She gained expertise in ecological planting design for child-friendly environments while working on her MLA thesis. Her MLA thesis research work received the Best Poster Award in CELA 2022 and the prestigious Award of Excellence in the Research category from the National ASLA Student Awards in 2023. From the year 2024 to 2025, she has nine research journal publications, including four from her doctoral dissertation.