Faculty Affiliates

Biography

Dr. Hessam Ghamari, a United States Fulbright Research Scholar, is an Associate Professor of Interior Design at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). With over 15 years of experience in architecture and interior design across Iran and the United States, his work spans healthcare, hospitality, commercial, and residential projects. Before joining CSUN, he taught at Appalachian State University and earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Interior Design from Texas Tech University in 2014.

Dr. Ghamari’s academic contributions include numerous peer-reviewed articles and international conference presentations on environmental psychology, evidence-based design, and healthcare environments. His research emphasizes creating humanistic spaces that promote health equity and enhance quality of life.

He has secured significant research grants and received awards such as the Irene Winifred Eno Grant from ASID, reflecting his leadership in the field. Currently, he serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Interior Design Educators Council and as Director of Academy Awards for the International Academy of Design and Health.
Dr. Ghamari’s interdisciplinary approach integrates evidence-based practices to design inclusive environments addressing users' physiological and psychological needs, fostering health, equity, and well-being across diverse settings.

What you look for in a potential student research assistant/trainee?

When selecting a student research assistant or trainee, I seek individuals eager to engage in all phases of a research project, from study design and literature review to data collection and analysis. My goal is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of research while encouraging creativity and innovative problem-solving.

Since my research focuses on creating healthy environments, I aim to help students develop a solid understanding of evidence-based design approaches. This includes exploring how the design and creation of physical spaces can promote health and well-being.

I also emphasize fostering interdisciplinary communication, encouraging collaboration across fields to broaden perspectives and approach research questions from diverse angles.

Through mentorship, I strive to build students’ confidence, sharpen their critical thinking, and equip them with skills valuable for academic and professional growth, all while contributing meaningfully to the project’s success.

Projects

• Visual Attributes of Wayfinding in Care Facilities by Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): This project explored how visual design elements influence navigation and spatial orientation for individuals with MCI in care facilities. By examining key attributes such as color, contrast, and spatial markers, the research aims to identify design strategies that improve wayfinding and enhance the overall safety and independence of residents. This study contributes to evidence-based design approaches that prioritize the needs of cognitively impaired individuals.

• Architecturally Integrated Near-Infrared Light: Enhancing Health and Cognitive Performance in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Patients: In the project we collaborated with educators and practitioners to investigate the potential of integrating near-infrared light into architectural spaces to improve health and cognitive performance in MCI patients. This interdisciplinary effort aimed to explore innovative design solutions that merge evidence-based research with practical applications to create environments that support cognitive well-being and overall quality of life.

• Lighting the Way Forward: Empowering Students through Experiential Learning in the Transformed Lighting Design and Materials Lab: This sponsored project was a collaborative initiative led by Dr. Hessam Ghamari, Professor Kristin King, and Dr. Nasrin Golshany. This project aims to enhance the educational experience of interior design students by providing hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in a state-of-the-art lighting design and materials lab. By engaging students with advanced tools and techniques, the initiative seeks to foster creativity, technical skills, and a deeper understanding of the role of lighting in shaping human-centric environments. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and practical expertise needed for successful careers in interior design.

Biography

Jose Hugo Vargas is a HERE Center post-doctoral fellow and part-time professor in the Department of Psychology at California State University, Northridge. He earned his doctorate degree in May of 2014 from the Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Social Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno. After graduating, Dr. Vargas accepted a non-instructional position as student equity coordinator and research analyst for the Los Angeles Community College District, where he helped to establish an office of student equity and a data-driven approach to the evaluation of the multimillion-dollar Student Equity Initiative.

Following this post, Dr. Vargas returned to what mattered to him most: students, instruction, and research! His general research interests are in critical social psychology, social philosophy, culture, evaluation, and research methodology. Specific interests include education and its connection to racism, discourse, matters of social justice, cultural reproduction, and critical research ethics. His latest research focuses on the impact of race-dysconscious mentorship on the experiences of students of color and on power privileges in communication and their role in cultural reproduction.

As a CSUN alumnus and beneficiary of the university’s Career Opportunities in Research (COR) program, Dr. Vargas recognizes the value of research mentorship for students who belong to culturally diverse academic institutions. He is a certified BUILD PODER mentor trained in critical race theory and is strongly committed to mentoring students who aspire to become researchers and scientists. He is equally committed to instruction and has received accolades for integrating critical perspectives and non-psychology disciplines with traditional psychological curricula.

Media

Schoolhouse Talk! A Discussion with Dr. Jose Hugo Vargas

A discussion with Dr. Vargas about mentoring, Social Psychology. Dr. Vargas provides a historical and social psychological perspective to the pedagogical approach which some refer to as "Critical Race Theory".

Emerging Research in Educational Psychology

Dr. Jose H. Vargas joins host Dr. Jeff Greene to discuss his Educational Psychologist article, "The antiracist educator’s journey and the psychology of critical consciousness development: A new roadmap.

Listen On:

• Apple Podcasts 
• SoundCloud 

Biography

Jo Anne Pandey has varied teaching experiences ranging from teaching English to 4-8 graders in Nepal and English for Speakers of other Languages in Indonesia, to teaching courses in Child Development and Psychology at Pitzer College, American Jewish University, and for many years at CSUN. Jo Anne is heavily involved in the Nepalese-American community in Southern California and has recently been working on several research and humanitarian projects in the Gorkha region of Nepal that mainly deal with education, mental health, gender equity, and most recently distance education.

Biography

Kristin King, ASID, IDEC, IALD, NCIDQ is Principal of KKID, a bi-coastal, multi-disciplinary design practice, and Assistant Professor of Interior Design. Kristin’s focus on human-centered design is the foundation of both her practice and teaching. Her longstanding professional design skills transforms her work into a critical understanding of aesthetics as a philosophical and phenomenological representation of the human experience, having an impact on the understanding of what design has to offer.
 

Biography

I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where I lived until I obtained my BSc degree from the Universidad de Buenos Aires (majored in Biology).

Then I moved very far North, to Toronto, Canada. There I got my PhD degree from the Department of Medical Biophysics at University of Toronto. For my doctoral dissertation, I worked with cells in culture, investigating molecular pathways used by cancer cells to survive during metastasis. I also began my postdoctoral training in Toronto, using sea urchin larvae to try and understand how genes make immune systems.

But after seven proud Canadian winters, my wife and I decided that it was time to give SoCal a try. We moved to San Diego, where I continued my postdoctoral training, first at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and then at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where I investigated the genetic mechanisms underlying alternative cell fate decisions in Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly).
In late 2012, the lab where I was doing my postdoc moved from The Salk Institute to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which brought me a little closer to my new home, the Department of Biology at CSUN.

Lab Website: https://lozacollcsunbio.wordpress.com

Biography

Dr. Nasrin Golshany is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at California State University, Northridge. As an architect and lighting scientist, her research focuses on the interplay between the built environment and human health, particularly through Human-Centric Lighting Design and age-friendly spaces. Dr. Golshany specializes in healthcare design, environmental psychology, and sustainable architecture, employing advanced tools like simulation and virtual reality to investigate how indoor environments impact human outcomes. She holds a Ph.D. in Architecture from the University of Oregon and has authored over 20 publications in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Her evidence-based approach aims to solve complex design challenges, enhancing comfort and sustainability in built environments. Dr. Golshany has collaborated with interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary researchers in various fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and engineering, aiming to address critical health and design issues and promote well-being at both individual and communal levels.

What Do You Look For in a Potential Research Assistant/Intern?

I am looking for student research assistants who are curious, motivated, and passionate about the intersection of design, health, and human well-being. The ideal candidates should be detail-oriented, reliable, and possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Proficiency in relevant technical tools and a willingness to learn new ones are essential, along with effective communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Candidates who share a strong commitment to health equity and sustainability will find their values align well with my research focus.

Projects

Exploring the Influence of Spatial Patterns and Correlated Color Temperature on Cognitive Performance and Wayfinding Behavior of Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairments

This research examines how human-cen-tric lighting influences cognitive performance and wayfinding abilities in older adults with mild cognitive impairments. Using real and virtual environments, including 3D lighting models, we aim to understand the impact of light level, color temperature, and spatial patterns on cognitive functions and wayfinding. The study addresses two key questions: 1) How do different light modes impact cognitive performance and wayfinding in older adults? 2) What variations exist in wayfinding behavior and cognitive performance between individuals with and without cognitive impairments in different lighting conditions? Our findings will inform non-pharmacological interventions for wayfinding in cognitively impaired older adults, with potential applications for therapeutic healthcare environments

Beyond the Walls: Enhancing Learning Environments through Nature-Infused

This project engages interior design students at California State University Northridge, to investigate the potential impacts of views to nature in classrooms on students’ cognitive performance and mental fatigue. Through the application of virtual environment techniques, this research delves into the significance of providing visual access to nature and optimal daylighting in classrooms, exploring their impact on student’s mental health and overall well-being. Despite the well-established benefits of nature views in various settings, some educational facilities have embraced windowless classroom designs. Originally introduced to mitigate external distractions and control energy costs, these designs are prevalent in certain schools. In this collaborative effort, we investigate the effects of different typologies of nature views and varied daylighting conditions by simulating diverse classroom settings within virtual environments. These environments replicate the physical characteristics of a classroom situated in Sequoia Hall at CSUN. Participants will engage in cognitive tasks, including trail-making and attention tests, within these virtual environments, allowing for the measurement of mental fatigue and cognitive performance. The study aims to offer insights that can inform the design of classrooms conducive to mental well-being and academic success.

The outcomes will provide valuable recommendations for crafting healthy educational spaces, contributing to the enhancement of students’ health, alleviating anxiety, and mitigating depression-like behavior. Ultimately, this research strives to foster supportive learning environments that positively impact students’ holistic development.

Publications

1. Ghamari, H., & Golshany, N. (2024). Visual Attributes of Wayfinding in Care Facilities by Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal. (Accepted & in-press).
2. Golshany, N., & Elzeyadi, E. (2024). The Impact of Spatial Light Patterns on Perception, Mood, and Preference of Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities. Leukos, The Journal of The Illuminating Engineering Society. (Accepted & in-press).
3. Golshany, N., & Elzeyadi, E. (2023). Comparing the Cognitive Performance of Older Adults in A Lighting System Between A Real Space and A Virtual Reality Display. Journal of Environmental Psychology. (In-press).
4. Golshany, N., & Elzeyadi, E. (2023). Investigating the Impact of Spatial Patterns and Colour of Light on The Cognitive Performance of Older Adults in An Immersive Virtual Environment. Journal of Environment and Behavior. (In-review).
5. Ghamari, H., & Golshany, N. (2021). Wandering Eyes: Using Gaze-Tracking Method to Capture Eye Fixations in Unfamiliar Healthcare Environments. HERD, 19375867211042344. Advance Online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/19375867211042344.
6. Ghamari, H., Golshany, N., Rad, P. N., & Behzadi, F. (2021). Neuro-architecture Assessment: An Overview and Bibliometric Analysis. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 12(3), 585–606. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ejihpe11020042.

Biography

Steve Graves is the 6th of 7 children from a small industrial city in Ohio. He holds degrees from Ohio State, Ohio University, Miami of Ohio and the University of Illinois. In addition to a host of lower division courses, he teaches medical geography, crime geography and business geography at California State University. Steve loves to travel, read nerdy fiction, watch college football and listen to music. His research is centered around GIS, health geography, and social justice.

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/gravesgeography/

Publications

• View full list of publications here.

Research Projects

• Health Hazards Project

Biography

Svetlana V. Tyutina is an Associate Professor of Spanish and the Director of Spanish Graduate program at California State University, Northridge. She holds a doctoral degree in Romance linguistics from Herzen State University of Russia (Saint Petersburg) and in Latin American literature from Florida International University (Miami/FL).
Her research interests include LSP (languages for specific purposes), HIPs (high impact practices), PBL (project-based learning), and CBL (community-based learning and community engagement) in the field of foreign languages and literatures, as well as Hispanic Orientalism. She is an author of numerous articles and presentations on these topics, including “Comparative Study of Spanish and English through Service Learning” (2018), “Finding Balance between Practice and Theory in a Translation Course” (2017), “The Debate between Eurocentrism and Americanism in the Eighteenth-Century Castas Paintings” (2016), and “Cantar de mio Cid: Creation of the Founding Paradigm of Hispanic Orientalism” (2012). In 2023, in collaboration with the contemporary Mexican author Guillermo Adrián Sánchez González and CSUN students from several departments, Dr. Tyutina published a bilingual book of short stories about Mexican deaf community Escuchar sin oír: Relatos de silencio (Listening without Hearing: Tales of Scilence).

Looking For Research Assistants/Interns?

• Yes (looking for bilingual (Spanish/English) and monolingual (English) RAs to support ongoing research related to CBL translation and interpreting projects.

Current Projects

• Legal interpreting externship with the LA Superior Court
• CBL medical interpreting project in collaboration with CSUN HERE Center

Previous Projects

• CBL literary translation project in collaboration with MLG International translation company and contemporary Mexican authors writing about Mexican Deaf community.
• CBL business interpreting CSUN-wide project in collaboration with CSUN VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Clinic)

Biography

I am a new Assistant Professor at CSUN, in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. I am an international scholar originally from Hong Kong.

My research areas of interest are primarily in epidemiology, occupational health psychology, psychiatry, cardiovascular disease and cardiometabolic biomarkers, the societal and mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and socioeconomic inequalities and disparities in population and public health, psychosocial stressors, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

I am actively looking for student research volunteers and am open for potential student research trainees, especially those interested in epidemiological health and disease research, graduate/medical school aspirations, and with programming or statistical experience.

Publication:

My Google Scholar link with my publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5Fev7l4AAAAJ&hl=en

Biography

Zeynep Toker, Ph.D. is a proponent of community participation in urban planning. In partnership with local government agencies and nonprofit organizations from various socioeconomic status neighborhoods in Los Angeles for service-learning projects at California State University, Northridge, she supervised undergraduate student research related to streetscape and walkability. She also collaborated with other faculty to supervise community-based resilience planning projects in the Master of Urban Planning program. Her research focuses on improving public health in predominantly Latino neighborhoods by improving the built environment characteristics.