Hello everyone! My name is Katie Wheeler and I am a first year Master’s student in sustainable design and construction, focusing on the energy track. I am originally from Virginia, but my family relocated back to the Bay area five years ago. Last May, I graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA with a degree in integrated science and technology. Within my undergraduate program, I earned a dual-concentration in environment and sustainability as well as production systems. I also earned a minor in global supply chain management.
Most of my experience is in the environmental sector, focusing on field work. In the summer of 2021, I worked in a conservation corps doing ecological restoration, fuels reduction, and trail work to preserve the national and state parks within California. I also interned at a farm while in undergrad where I learned sustainable agriculture practices!
My main areas of interest involve the relationship between the natural world and the built world. I am passionate about energy efficiency and renewable energy. I aim to help create a world that not only allow for both to co-exist, but thrive alongside each other. I am also interested in green spaces, and nature’s impact on human health both mentally and physically.
I am interested in BIM because of its holistic approach to the built environment. I have very little modeling experience, and hope to gain a lot through this course! I find BIM to be an extremely valuable tool, and hope to become more confident in my modeling abilities in order to use it in the real world effectively.
In my free time, I enjoy spending my time outdoors by hiking, backpacking, camping, and biking. I also love to run (when I have the time and motivation to do so) and love playing guitar, singing, or just listening to music. I am also a huge basketball fan and have played the sport for the majority of my life. If anyone wants to watch the Warriors destroy any team, I am always down for a watch party!
I attached two photos of me enjoying the outdoors! The first one was taken in the Rocky Mountains in front of some mule deer friends, and the second was at a goat farm in England (the goat really loved my jacket I guess🙂)
