Mariana Villela

Biography and Expertise of Mariana Villela

Mariana Villela contributes a specialized perspective to the field of integrative health through her expertise in architecture and urban planning. As a PhD student at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, her research investigates the tangible connection between the built environment and health outcomes, specifically within the context of “Healthcare Architecture and Integrative Health Environments.” This focus involves analyzing how design elements can create therapeutic spaces that actively support patient recovery and overall well-being.

Her work directly addresses the congress’s Thematic Axis, “Integration of TCIM into Health Systems.” By exploring how clinics, hospitals, and wellness centers can be physically designed to accommodate and enhance integrative practices, Mariana Villela provides a practical framework for implementation. Furthermore, her approach resonates with the motto pillar of “Well-being Societies,” as she studies the creation of environments that foster health beyond the mere absence of disease. Her interdisciplinary approach, which merges design with environmental psychology and neuroscience, exemplifies the “Knowledge Diversity” celebrated by the congress.

Professional and Teaching Experience

The career of Mariana Villela integrates professional practice in design with a strong commitment to academia and research. This combination of hands-on experience and scholarly inquiry provides her with a comprehensive understanding of how theoretical concepts in architecture translate into real-world applications. Her background spans multiple facets of the design and management process, giving her a holistic view of project execution from conception to completion.

Additionally, her experience in education demonstrates a dedication to training the next generation of professionals in her field. This blend of roles enriches her research and contributes to a well-rounded professional profile.

• Professional Experience: She has worked in Architecture and Interior Design, applying design principles to create functional and aesthetically considered spaces.
• Project Management: Her background includes Creative Project Management, indicating skills in leading and coordinating complex design projects.
• Marketing: Experience in Marketing suggests an understanding of communication and strategic positioning within the design industry.
• Teaching Experience: Mariana Villela has served as an educator in Architecture and Urban Planning as well as Civil Engineering programs, contributing to academic development in related disciplines.

Academic Qualifications and Research

Mariana Villela‘s academic foundation is firmly rooted in the field of architecture and urbanism, with progressive specialization in the relationship between space and health. Her educational path at the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) showcases a dedicated focus on building a rigorous, research-driven understanding of how environments can be optimized for human well-being. This academic journey has prepared her to conduct high-level research in a niche, yet critical, area of study.

Her current doctoral work represents the culmination of this focus, positioning her at the forefront of designing integrative health environments. Therefore, her qualifications are central to her contributions to the discourse on health and architecture.

• PhD Student, Architecture and Urbanism: Currently enrolled in the Postgraduate Program in Architecture and Urbanism at UFSC, where her research is concentrated on Healthcare Architecture and Integrative Health Environments.
• Master of Science, Architecture and Urbanism: She holds a master’s degree in the same field, which provided the advanced knowledge base for her doctoral studies.
• Bachelor’s Degree, Architecture and Urban Planner: Her foundational degree provided comprehensive training in the core principles of architectural design and urban planning.

Interdisciplinary Research Focus

The research conducted by Mariana Villela is characterized by its deeply interdisciplinary nature. Her work on Healthcare Architecture and Integrative Health Environments is not confined to design alone; instead, it synthesizes knowledge from environmental psychology, ergonomics, and neuroscience to build a comprehensive evidence base. This approach allows her to investigate the multifaceted ways in which physical surroundings impact physiological and psychological health.

By collaborating with various research groups, she ensures her work is informed by multiple scientific perspectives. For example, insights from the Neuroscience and Architecture Study and Research Group (GEPNeuroArq) can provide empirical data on how specific design features affect brain activity and stress levels. Consequently, this method strengthens the scientific validity of her architectural recommendations for health-promoting spaces. Her publications and research activities, available on platforms like ResearchGate, reflect this collaborative and evidence-based methodology, which is crucial for advancing the field of integrative health environments. The work of Mariana Villela provides a model for how to bridge the gap between design intuition and scientific evidence.

Research Group Affiliations and Memberships

Mariana Villela is an active member of several research groups and consortia, which underscores her commitment to collaborative and interdisciplinary work. These affiliations connect her with a network of researchers from diverse fields, enriching her own research on integrative health environments. Her participation in these groups is fundamental to her ability to develop a holistic and evidence-informed approach to healthcare architecture.

Each membership provides a unique lens through which to examine the complex relationship between people and their surroundings. Therefore, these collaborations are integral to her academic and professional development.

• Brazilian Academic Consortium for Integrative Health (CABSIN): Connects her work to the national and international integrative health community, aligning her architectural research with the field’s broader goals.
• Environmental Psychology Laboratory (LAPAM/UFSC-CNPq): Supports her study of how individuals are affected by their physical environments, a core component of designing therapeutic spaces.
• Neuroscience and Architecture Study and Research Group (GEPNeuroArq): Allows Mariana Villela to explore the neurological basis of human responses to architectural design, informing the creation of spaces that reduce stress and promote healing.
• Multidisciplinary Group on Work Ergonomics and Applied Technologies (GMETTA/UFSC-CNPq): Informs her understanding of the functional and ergonomic aspects of healthcare design for patients and providers.
• Advanced Modeling Group (GMA/UFSC-CNPq): Engages with advanced technological tools for modeling and analyzing architectural spaces.

Connect with Mariana Villela

For more detailed information on the academic work, research projects, and professional background of Mariana Villela, you can access her official profiles on various academic and professional networking platforms. These resources offer a comprehensive overview of her contributions to the fields of architecture and integrative health.

Lattes Curriculum: View Academic CV

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