Nazia Afrin Trina Joins Texas Tech Landscape Program

Research focuses on outdoor learning and child development

• Bonnie Johnson
• September 11, 2026
• Media Article

Nazia Afrin Trina has joined Texas Tech University as an assistant professor of landscape architecture, bringing expertise in nature-based learning environments, child development, and biophilic design to support research, education, and community-focused landscape innovation.

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Nazia Afrin Trina has joined Texas Tech University's Department of Landscape Architecture as an assistant professor. Her work focuses on how nature-based play and outdoor learning environments can support child development and early childhood education.
 

Before joining Texas Tech, Trina served as a postdoctoral scholar at the Natural Learning Initiative within North Carolina State University's College of Design. Her research emphasized designing outdoor spaces that promote healthy childhood development through landscape architecture and community engagement.
 

Nazia said "Texas Tech is where I grew as a researcher, so returning as a faculty member feels like coming home. I believe every child deserves access to natural environments that spark curiosity, play and discovery, and I look forward to collaborating with students, colleagues and communities across Texas to create landscapes that nurture healthy childhood development."
 

Her research explores biophilic design, child-friendly planting strategies, loose-parts play, and outdoor learning environments. She also studies approaches for evaluating educational landscapes and supporting STEAM learning opportunities for young children.
 

During her graduate studies, Trina worked in Texas Tech's XR (Extended Reality) Lab, contributing to projects involving emerging technologies, spatial analysis, and human-environment interactions. These experiences helped shape her evidence-based approach to landscape design.
 

Before moving to the United States, she served as a lecturer and assistant professor at Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology in Bangladesh. She also worked as an architect with Bangladesh Police Headquarters.
 

Trina earned a Ph.D. in Land-Use Planning, Management, and Design and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Texas Tech University. She also holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
 

Her accomplishments include the Award of Excellence in Research from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Student Awards, the ASLA Texas Chapter Student Merit Award, and the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture Best Poster Award.
 

Trina joins the growing landscape architecture program within Texas Tech's Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, where her expertise is expected to strengthen research and education related to outdoor learning, childhood development, and community-focused landscape design.
 

Photo Credit: depts.ttu.edu