The Leaf Island Team

Phoebe Mankiewicz is an interdisciplinary scientist at the Yale Center for Ecosystems and Architecture (CEA) whose work illustrates disparities and develops relationships between “wild” and “human” ecologies. Differences between these fields exist from the microbial to the global scale, friction between which can lead to significant health impacts for humans and ecosystems alike. Her education spans Neurobiology and Invasive Ecology through her undergraduate work at McGill university, extending into interdisciplinary projects and teams during her masters in Architectural Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her PhD dissertation work at Yale CEA focuses on ecologically-influenced strategies for indoor ecologies (e.g. air quality bioremediation, microbial biodiversity), and solutions to urban ecological problems (e.g. carbon sequestration, invasive plant control).

Igor Bronz develops the design and technical specifications of Leaf Island’s ecologically-regenerative green technologies. His thesis involves the development of mathematical models for calculating the stormwater uptake efficiency of green infrastructure projects. Igor earned his MS in Applied Geosciences with a focus on Geotechnical Engineering and Hydrogeology from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Chief scientist and designer for our green technologies, Paul is a developmental plant biologist/ecologist, professor, green infrastructure pioneer, founder of The Gaia Institute. Dr. Mankiewicz has designed and built some of the first green roofs and swales in NYC, and has been instrumental in developing the framework for what constitutes effective green infrastructure throughout his academic discipline, professional career and from a policy perspective.

Urbanist and head of Leaf Island development, Michael is a strategic planning professional with 25 years of experience representing owners and operators of critical infrastructure. Fluent in community and stakeholder participation, he has managed interdisciplinary teams through design & construction of major capital programs from serving the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery to executing a Pedestrian Engineering Fellowship that resulted in the closure of Broadway to traffic in Times Square. Currently Professor of urban planning at NYU Schack Real Estate Institute, Michael earned his master’s degree in architecture from Tulane University in New Orleans.