Published February 11, 2025
Dean Julia Czerniak announced five new members of the Dean's Council and the initiation of a working group structure that links the professional advisory board's member interests and expertise with the goals of the School of Architecture and Planning.
Czerniak's latest additions to the board include distinguished alumni and thought leaders across diverse areas of practice and emerging fields. Among the five new members are an urban planner trained in ecological design, the head of an experimental practice in climate-resilient design, a multimedia designer from the MIT Media Lab, a community-based urban planner, and a principal of a New York City-based architecture and planning firm.
"I'm thrilled to welcome these five thought leaders and professional influencers to the Dean's Council. As ambassadors for the School, they provide critical outside perspective, advise on emerging trends, expand and engage our alumni and other networks, and advance our reputation and impact," says Czerniak, adding that the latest additions bring the board up to 19 members. "We look forward to learning from this group of dreamers, doers, and door-openers."
In the hopes of tapping into this enthusiasm and insight, Czerniak has introduced a working group structure to the Council. The six groups link Council members with School faculty and staff liaisons, meeting monthly and reporting back to the full Council. The working groups are: 1) Open Career Paths; 2) Advance Programs; 3) Invigorate Philanthropy; 4) Promote Diversity; 5) Strategize Experiential Learning; and 6) Advance Community Engagement and Industry Partnerships
"We're grateful for the service and support of our membership. These working groups leverage their expertise and passions and put this to work to advance the mission and strategic plan of the School," says Czerniak.
The Dean's Council, founded in 2013, is a significant philanthropic body for the School, as well. Among the initiatives to most recently benefit from its support is the School's partnership with the nonprofit Assembly House 150 to host a summer camp that introduces high school students from marginalized communities to the architecture of the city. Directed by UB architecture faculty member Dennis Maher, The Model City Builders Summer High School Career Exploration Program brings together architecture, art, design, and the building trades to build skills through a project-based curriculum.
"I'm thrilled to welcome these five thought leaders and professional influencers to the Dean's Council. As ambassadors for the School, they provide critical outside perspective, advise on emerging trends, expand and engage our alumni and other networks, and advance our reputation and impact. We look forward to learning from this group of dreamers, doers, and door-openers."
- Dean Julia Czerniak
Mitchell Joachim, PhD, Assoc. AIA, is the Co-Founder of Terreform ONE and Professor of Practice at NYU. He upholds noteworthy leadership roles as a University Senator and Co-Chair of Global Design NYU.
Formerly, he worked as an architect at the professional offices of Frank Gehry in Los Angeles, Moshe Safdie in Massachusetts, and I.M. Pei in New York. He has won many awards including: Fulbright Scholarship, LafargeHolcim Acknowledgement Prize, Ove Arup Foundation Grant, Architect R+D Award, AIA New York Urban Design Merit Award, Victor Papanek Social Design Award, 1st Place International Architecture Award, Zumtobel Award for Sustainability, Architizer A+ Award, History Channel Infiniti Award for City of the Future, and Time Magazine Best Invention with MIT Smart Cities. He is a TED Senior Fellow and has been awarded fellowships with Safdie Architects, and the Martin Society for Sustainability at MIT.
I hope to leverage my role on the Dean's Council to bridge the gaps between practice, education, and research by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and integrating cutting-edge technologies into the curriculum. My focus is on promoting sustainable design and resilience, engaging with industry leaders to keep education relevant, and ensuring a global perspective on pressing issues like urbanization and climate change. This position enables me to create synergies that prepare students to address complex, real-world challenges with innovative and environmentally responsible solutions.
- Mitchell Joachim (BPS '94)
In addition to earning his BPS at UB, he holds a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, an MAUD from the Harvard GSD, and a MArch (with honors) from Columbia University.
My experience at UB profoundly shaped my values and approach to my work by instilling a strong foundation in interdisciplinary thinking and a commitment to innovation and sustainability. I was encouraged to explore the intersections between architecture, urban planning, and ecological systems, which fostered a holistic perspective on design challenges.
UB taught me the importance of collaboration and adaptability, principles I carry forward today by emphasizing sustainable and resilient solutions in my projects. My education at UB also reinforced the value of pushing boundaries and embracing new technologies, which I continue to apply by integrating cutting-edge materials and digital tools into my work, always aiming to create designs that are both innovative and environmentally responsible.
- Mitchell Joachim (BPS '94)
Nina-Marie Lister is Professor in the School of Urban & Regional Planning at Toronto Metropolitan University, Visiting Professor of Landscape Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design and Senior Fellow at Massey College in Toronto.
Awarded the Margolese National Design for Living Prize for her work in ecological design, Lister is a Registered Professional Planner (MCIP, RPP) trained in systems ecology, environmental science and landscape planning. Lister’s research, teaching and practice centre on the relationship between landscape infrastructure, biodiversity and ecological processes—specifically in the context of ecological design for biodiversity recovery, climate resilience, and human well-being. At TMU, Lister founded and directs the Ecological Design Lab, a collaborative incubator for ecological design research and practice.
I am engaged in an emerging transdisciplinary field (ecological design) that works to address the complex challenges of our time, with evidence and creativity alike, and in ways that transcend the discrete disciplines of the sciences and the humanities. As a member of the Dean’s Council, I am excited to share this perspective and to engage productively with colleagues who are leaders across the planning and design disciplines. Together, our collaboration can advance inspired, thoughtful and creative approaches to integrating practice, education, and research at UB and the next generation of graduates who will shape a flourishing and resilient future.
- Nina-Maria Lister, Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
Mark Nusbaum’s passion as an architect is demonstrated by his commitment to technical leadership that leverages his expertise in content development, quality control, consultant coordination, and construction site experience. His deep understanding and range of experience enables him to mentor and motivate architects to achieve industry-leading results that align architectural excellence with client objectives.
As a Principal and Director of Technical Services at FXCollaborative, Mark oversees the firm-wide technical resource specialists in developing and organizing content development for drawing standardization, building codes, zoning laws, specification protocols, and CA (construction administration) workflows. As the firm’s leader in CA, he has built collaborative and trusted relationships with clients and construction managers by understanding their needs and by developing workflows that improve CA performance. Through content creation, he develops and delivers office-wide seminars and publishes articles leveraging decades of construction site experience that fosters design team learning from built work.
As a thought leader in technical design and innovator in architectural workflows, my role on the Dean's Council offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gaps between practice, education, and research. I aim to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that education aligns with real-world practice and emerging technologies.
- Mark Nusbaum, Principal, FXCollaborative
In addition to serving on Dean’s Council, Mark also serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the University at Buffalo Alumni Association. He was honored with the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award and 2018 Volunteer Service Award from the University at Buffalo. Mark holds two degrees from UB, earning his Master of Architecture in 1985 and his BPS in 1983.
Mark Nusbaum was among several alumni selected for the School of Architecture and Planning's 50+ Alumni Exhibition, held in 2022 in celebration of the School's 50th anniversary. His entry recognizes his role as project architect and lead construction administrator for the massive restoration of the American landmark. Nusbaum spent seven years on the project, and headed an on-site team that oversaw and monitored ongoing work and progress. View Mark Nusbaum's entry in the 50+ Alumni Exhibition
Georine Pierre is an architect and multimedia designer addressing integrated practices of experimental urbanisms, ecological urgency, equity, and technology. As a researcher at the MIT Media Lab in City Science Group, she pursues innovative techniques of material production, rigorous ecological research, public intervention, and narrative storytelling devices.
At the City Science Group, Pierre is currently developing a roadmap for understanding and collaborating with informal settlements worldwide, focusing on urban mining in city environments. Previously, Pierre was an Associate Research Scholar at Columbia University’s Center for Resilient Cities and Landscapes, contributing to interdisciplinary research and project design scenarios for international projects impacted by climate change and rapid urbanization.
I envision leveraging my experience in multidisciplinary design, equity, and planning to foster a rich dialogue that integrates diverse perspectives from practice, research, and education. My role with the City Science Group enables me to advocate for innovative, equitable approaches that can reshape curricula and professional practices, ensuring that our academic programs remain responsive to addressing complex, real-world challenges. My goals are driven by the intention to ensure our programs adapt to evolving student interests and diversity, while embracing emerging technologies that are reshaping architectural design and planning today.
- Georine Pierre (BS Arch '15)
Pierre holds a Master's in Architecture from California College of the Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from UB.
"My time at UB instilled in me a profound appreciation for innovative design thinking that transcends traditional architectural discourse. The rigorous studios and inspiring faculty fueled my exploration of material innovation, digital fabrication, and critical solutions for more resilient communities. Today, I apply these principles by collaborating with leading multidisciplinary experts to address unique urban challenges, focusing on climate adaptation, technological design, and responding to cultural practices and needs in the Global South."
- Georine Pierre (BS Arch '15)
Laura Quebral, is founder and CEO of the Center for Regional Strategies, a nonprofit focused on planning, developing and implementing economic growth strategies to build sustainable community wealth, especially in underserved areas. Previously, Quebral served for over a decade as director of the UB Regional Institute, where she led highly visible projects in regional economic development and sustainability.
At CRS, Quebral guides strategic development, problem solving, research and project management on initaitives that strengthen the regional economy. As director of UBRI, she served as team leader and project manager in partnership with the WNY Regional Economic Development Council and Empire State Development, and led New York State's Regional Revitalization Initiative, a collaborative, targeted economic investment strategy for Buffalo, Niagara Falls and Rochester.
Working in economic development in collaborative models at the Center for Regional Strategies with a focus on placemaking, workforce and small business development, it is important to stay connected with the School’s tremendous knowledge base that feeds our ability to create informed strategy, innovate with new ideas and find connections in the community to implement programs and projects with high impact.
- Laura Quebral, CEO, Center for Regional Strategies
Quebral holds bachelor’s degrees in both English and psychology, as well as a Master of Urban Planning, from the University at Buffalo. As an MUP student, she won the award for best thesis for “Preserving Buffalo’s Olmsted Parks: Facing Challenges in Planning for Historic Park Landscapes.”
Going through the MUP program, I got the toolkit I needed to apply critical thinking, relevant research, problem solving, meaningful community engagement and strategy development. We developed guiding principles for the work we carried forward with those tools and those are skills I use everyday in our work in growing the regional economy at Center for Regional Strategies.
- Laura Quebral (MUP '06)