Yujuan Chen ( Principal Investigator), Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Urban Forestry 

Dr. Yujuan Chen has a long-standing interest in urban ecosystems and her work is mainly focusing on urban forestry, urban soils, and stormwater management. She co-authored the first global Guidelines on Urban and Peri-urban Forestry, which aims to optimize the contribution of forests and trees to sustainable urban development. She also initiated and led the “Healthy Soils for Healthy Communities Initiative” to study the potential of healthy soils in building climate resilience and healthy communities in Los Angeles. Prior to joining Tennessee State University, Dr. Chen held a range of positions with TreePeople, University of Southern California, Virginia Tech, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and New Jersey State Forestry Services. ​

Xiaoyue Li
Ph.D. Student

Xiaoyue is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University who has completed her M.S. in Environment Science at Tennessee State University recently. She is currently working to explore the cooling effects of urban forests in the Southern United States. Prior to joining TSU, she worked with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy and China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation in Beijing, China.​

Sydney Wyche 
Urban Forestry Ambassador and Dean's Scholar

Sydney Wyche is a junior at Tennessee State University majoring in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Sciences. She is a member of the University Wind Ensemble, TSU Environmental Science Club, TSU Forest Ecology Club, and 2024-2025 MANRRS Treasurer. Sydney has also completed internships with the TSU Forest Ecology Lab and Kansas State College of Agronomy. She is passionate about advocating for more parks/green spaces in urban areas.​

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Todd Stansberry 
Urban Forestry Ambassador and Dean's Scholar

Todd Stansberry is a rising junior majoring in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Environmental Science in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Tennessee State University. He is passionate about urban forestry and believes urban forests can be part of the solution for urban sprawl. A player in Tennessee State University’s Marching Band, known as the Aristocrat of Bands, Todd was designated a Grammy winner. He also participates in the local MANNRS chapter, participating in multiple agricultural activities. Todd is proud and happy to be part of the Dean’s Scholars program and has already co-organized the Tree Tour as part of the 2024 Earth Day Celebration on campus.​

Lab Alumni

Diksha Tamang: M.S. Student; 2023-2025
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Donna Blankenship: M.S. Student; 2024-2025

Chen Wang, Ph.D.: Postdoctoral Researcher; 2023-2025
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Aria McElroy: Dean's Scholar; 2022-2024