Get to Know Our 2025 Summer Interns

The CSDG 2025 interns have hit the ground running and have already made strides in such a short amount of time. Get to know them a bit more:

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Meet Afrah Faheem from Chennai, India, a master’s student in landscape architecture at the University of Oklahoma. Afrah believes resilient design is essential for creating adaptable spaces that can handle today’s environmental and social challenges. Outside of work, she loves cooking, reading, and playing badminton. To her, “Designing experiences. Shaping places.” means creating spaces that connect people to nature, culture, and each other. If she could redesign any space, she’d reimagine the Taj Mahal promenade with native planting and water-sensitive design to better reflect its heritage.

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Originally from Franklin, Tennessee, Luke Gross is pursuing a degree in civil engineering at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Luke believes resilient design is key to building safe, reliable spaces for the public. Outside of work, he enjoys fly fishing and watching football. To him, “Designing experiences. Shaping places.” means creating spaces where people can make lasting memories — not just roads or buildings. If he could redesign anything, it would be the I-75 and I-40 merge in Knoxville — because, as he puts it, there’s no logical reason for how it works now!

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Fatemeh Momeni, originally from Isfahan, Iran, is pursuing a dual master’s degree in Landscape Architecture and city planning at the University of Oklahoma. With her background, she sees resilient design as essential for creating places that can bounce back from challenges while still being healthy, safe, and fair for everyone. In her free time, you’ll find her watching series, cooking, working out, or getting outdoors to hike or swim. For Fatemeh, “Designing experiences. Shaping places.” is about creating spaces that do more than function — they shape how people feel, connect, and thrive. Her dream redesign? The National Mall in Washington D.C., adding much-needed shade and seating for visitors.

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Isabella Pryor, a civil engineering student at Tennessee Tech University, grew up in Lebanon, Tennessee. She believes resilient design is key to building infrastructure that can withstand extreme events while protecting communities and supporting sustainable growth. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking and taking her dogs on walks. To Isabella, “Designing experiences. Shaping places.” means blending technical skills with human-centered design to improve lives and strengthen communities.

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Cade Merryman is from Gallatin, Tennessee, and studies Civil Engineering at Tennessee Tech University. He’s all about resilient design because it creates spaces that actually last — making a real, positive impact on communities for years to come. When he’s not working or in class, you’ll probably find him playing guitar or diving into Tennessee’s natural history. For Cade, “Designing experiences. Shaping places.” is all about creating spaces where people can make memories and enjoy life. His dream redesign? Exit 109 on I-40 — because let’s be honest, the endless red lights and traffic backups drive everyone crazy!

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Maddie Helms is from Charlotte, North Carolina, and is currently studying civil engineering at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. She believes resilient design is essential because it promotes long-term sustainability, safety, and adaptability in a world that is constantly evolving. In her free time, Maddie enjoys cooking and reading. To her, CSDG’s new tagline "Designing experiences. Shaping places." represents creating environments that not only meet practical needs but also foster meaningful experiences for people and positively influence how they live and connect. If given the opportunity to redesign any public space, Maddie would reimagine Times Square in New York City by integrating green spaces that offer more inviting areas for people to connect with nature in the heart of a busy urban environment.