Melanie Pane
Where did you go for your undergrad and what did you major in?
I got my B.S. from the University of Virginia where I majored in Environmental Sciences and minored in Urban and Environmental Planning.
Why did you choose to attend DURP at U of I?
I moved to the Champaign-Urbana area for a job at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers research lab where many of my colleagues were DURP alumni. They spoke highly of their experience and encouraged me to apply as well. After learning more about the program and speaking with faculty, I felt confident that this was the right place for me to further my education.
What are your career ambitions?
I hope to use my education in urban planning to help create healthier, happier, and more equitable cities that support both human well-being and the natural environment. I am especially interested in how the built environment influences public health. My academic and professional interests include urban heat islands, equitable access to green space, urban tree canopy cover, environmental justice, and human biometeorology.