Alana Pulay

Biography

Alana Pulay joined SDC in Spring, 2019. Her research, teaching and professional practice are centered around human behavior in learning environments. She completed a PhD in Design and the Human Environment at Oregon State University where her focused research was on elementary school classroom lighting and the influence on student behavior. She holds an undergraduate degree in Interior Design from The Ohio State University and a Masters in Architecture Specializing in Interior Design from the University of Nebraska. Her professional experience, as an NCIDQ credentialed, WELL and LEED AP interior designer includes over sixteen years’ involvement with architecture and engineering firms specializing in the design of public K-12 schools.

Dr. Pulay has over eleven years of teaching experience at several universities across the United States. Her teaching philosophy incorporates the integration of her research with her professional experience to help students better understand the influence of the built environment on occupant behavior. She strives to prepare students for successful careers in the industry and beyond.

She is an active member of the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) and serves as a member on the K-12 Education committee. She received the IDEC special projects grant two times for research on the influence of interior variables on students and teachers in learning environments. She is currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors for the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). In addition, she has presented at numerous national and international conferences, published several journal manuscripts and a book chapter focusing on her research area.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Design and the Human Environment, Oregon State University.

Master of Science in Architecture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, The Ohio State University.