Jessica Fernandez

Jessica Fernandez, Ph.D., serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Georgia's College of Environment and Design. She founded the Relationships in Environment and Design Lab (REDLab), which explores intersections between technology, place-based experiences, and mental wellness. A licensed landscape architect and LEED Accredited Professional, her teaching focuses on planting design and advanced communication techniques.

• Ph.D. in Environmental Design and Planning (Clemson University, 2018)
• Master of Landscape Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design (Auburn University)

Her research integrates virtual reality and machine learning to analyze environmental perception, with recent publications examining:

• Pandemic impacts on park utilization
• VR-based restorative environment assessments
• Digital sentiment mapping of urban spaces
• Design's influence on perceived safety

As a campus planner, she contributes to sustainable development projects nationwide. Her work appears in journals like Landscape and Urban Planning and Sustainable Cities and Society.