Melanie Buzgan Dower received a Master of Architecture and a Master of Urban Design from Kent State University. While at Kent, she studied for two semesters in Florence, Italy for her graduate and undergraduate program, beginning an analytical study of historic urban spaces with a concentration upon understanding the source of their good design.

Participating in the Shrinking Cities Charette held in Youngstown, Ohio in 2005, Melanie explored the urban design issue of 'what to do with a shrinking city'. Here, she focused upon planning a sustainable futurefor forgotten and abandoned urban neighborhoods.

Melanie is active in the architectural community as the Associate Director on the AIA Pittsburgh Board, and past Chair of AIA Pittsburgh's Young Architects Forum. She also represents Pittsburgh while serving on AIA Pennsylvania's Emerging Professionals Task Force. Melanie is Team Captain of the Rothschild Doyno Collaborative Softball Team, and is currently pursuing her registration as an Architect and Certified Planner.