Brad

Doff

Geography student Bradley Doff is exploring the good of green. A master's student in environmental studies, he's researching how communities and cities can benefit from trees and other kinds of living green infrastructure.

"I'm looking at how we can better invest in the urban ecology of our communities so we can receive the biggest payback."

Doff has always had a passion for community sustainability. After years of employment in the field of urban forestry, he was prompted to pursue graduate studies when he discovered a large void in the models and knowledge available to his fellow professionals. "This lack in science drove me to return to school in order to develop a research model that would provide a meaningful approach to using green infrastructure as biotechnology in cities."

What with the high demand for green ideas and products at present, his research has enjoyed international popularity. Doff has travelled to locations such as Halifax, Milwaukee, and Toronto to speak at conferences and recently gave a presentation at TEDxThunderBay. He also volunteered his time at the international Making Cities' Livable conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

In terms of his future aspirations, Doff is already putting his education into practice. Using the model he designed in grad school, he's developing his own consulting company called SMARTGreening, which will help municipalities to achieve sustainability goals through strategic urban forest investments.

He largely attributes his success to Lakehead's dedicated faculty and staff. "The support and encouragement from Grad Studies in combination with our young and dynamic faculty cultivated an academic environment that was challenging, stimulating and supportive."