Dr. Upali Nanda

Biography

Upali Nanda is a Professor of Practice at the Taubman School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. She has a rich background in architecture and design, with an emphasis on creating evidence-based and culturally responsive approaches to the built environment. Before her current role, Nanda served as the global research director for HKS, an international architectural firm where she oversaw a range of innovation practices. She also held the position of Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Advanced Design Research. Nanda's academic credentials include a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture in New Delhi, a Master's degree from the National University of Singapore, and a PhD in Architecture from Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on the intersection of sensory environments and brain health, particularly how enriched environments can foster creativity and address the needs of aging populations. Nanda has authored the book "Sensthetics: A Crossmodal Approach to Designing the Senses" and has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with several awards including the AIA Upjohn Grant and the European Healthcare Design Research Award. Furthermore, she received the 2018 Women in Architecture Innovator Award from Architectural Record for her research promoting healthy behaviors through spatial design.

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