Welcome to the Zarazaga Lab
The Zarazaga Lab operates at the intersection of engineering, design, and community engagement, co-creating sustainable solutions with partners in Tanzania, Colombia, Dallas, and beyond. Guided by the belief that engineering and design are most impactful when rooted in local culture and collaboration, the lab brings together students, researchers, and community members to address real-world challenges through innovative, affordable, and context-sensitive approaches.
Founded and led by Dr. Jessie Zarazaga, Program Director of the Sustainability + Development Program (SDP) at SMU Lyle and Clinical Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, the lab integrates architecture, landscape design, geospatial mapping, and participatory public engagement into engineering education and practice. Dr. Zarazaga’s work spans continents, from rural development projects in Tanzania and Kenya to community-based initiatives in Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, and the United States.
Through fieldwork, participatory GIS, and cross-cultural collaboration, the Zarazaga Lab seeks to design equitable, resilient environments while training the next generation of engineers and designers to work at the intersection of creativity, sustainability, and community partnership.
