Photo Credit: Austin Garcia Photography

About

Hi, I’m Rachael!
I’m in my fourth year of a PhD in Human Ecology: Design Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Two of my best skills are trying new things and making lists—so naturally, the best way to introduce myself is with a couple of lists.

Current obsessions:

  • Trying unusual foods

  • Mindfulness practices

  • Staying healthy

  • Organizing my life

Goals for the year:

  • Avoid doing things I don’t truly want to do

  • Cultivate empathy, even when I haven’t shared the same experiences

  • Prioritize what’s important over what’s just urgent

Character traits I hope others would use to describe me:
Authentic, down-to-earth, intelligent, curious, accountable, and helpful.

PUBLICATIONS

[1]    Hamilton, E. M., & Shields, R. (2025). If green walls could talk: Occupant perceptions of sustainability in a green biophilic building. Sustainability, 17(9), 3890. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17093890

[2]    Shin, J., Deniz, H. B., Shields, R., Tredinnick, R., Çağıltay, B., Sprecher, B., Lee, J., Fields, B., & Ponto, K. (2025). Breaking barriers in accessibility: Mobile AR solutions for home assessments. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2025.2474478 

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

[4]    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, 12(1), e52996. https://doi.org/10.2196/52996

[5]    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

[6]    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

[7]    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

[8]    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

  • UniverCity Alliance Scholar

  • Marie Christine Kohler Fellowship

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

  • Matterlab Research Grant - 1st Place

  • Drone Pilot - Remote Pilot License

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

  • LEED Green Associate

  • SparkUC Innovation Challenge Finalist

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 rethinking how the environments they inhabit or visit are designed. One specific interest is incorporating novelty, a powerful yet often overlooked design element. Novel experiences promote cognitive health, foster psychological richness, and improve overall well-being. While cognitive decline is often seen as an inevitable part of aging, I believe exposure to novelty offers a proactive, underutilized strategy to help maintain cognitive function.

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 – Design Studies

      • University Building Post-Occupancy Evaluation: Biophilic Patterns, LEED Requirements, Perceived Restorativeness, and Green Building Knowledge

      • Sustainability Literacy in Public Libraries

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (2024-Present)

    • Research Assistant – Visual Reasoning Lab

    • Developing 3D-printed textures for research on perceptual semantics in modal communication.

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

    • Marketing and Communications Coordinator

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022-2024)

    • Project Assistant – Aging in Place Lab

      • Mobile App UI/UX Project Coordinator – Augmented Reality Home Assessment Tool (ARHAT)

        • Designed intuitive, age-friendly UI/UX for an AR-based home assessment app.

        • Created graphics and demo videos; developed app content and navigation.

        • Ensured WCAG-compliant accessibility.

        • Coordinated across design, development, and occupational therapy teams to align goals and execution.

        • Usability Research – Qualitative & Quantitative: Supported participant coordination, data capture, and NVivo analysis for a usability study on AR measurement tools.

        • Mobile Health App Review Research: Developed evaluation methods and conducted analysis of mobile health apps for home assessment.

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison (2022-2023)

    • School of Human Ecology Makerspace Manager

      • Directed training, oversaw maintenance, and created tutorials for the laser cutter, 3D printers, and the plotter.

      • Administered the management of undergraduate assistants and the procurement of equipment.

      • Provided support for student design projects and continually enhanced the makerspace environment.

  • 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)

      • Construction Documents and Design of Masterplanned Communities, Drone Operation, 3D Modeling and 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