Mehdi Ashayeri, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture at SIU-C. He holds a Ph.D. in Architecture with a specialization in Technologies of the Built Environment from the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), along with an M.Sc. in Architectural Engineering and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering.
Ashayeri's research lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), building science, and sustainability, focusing on multi-scale performance modeling of the built environment to support context-aware and evidence-based design. His work investigates the complex interactions among occupant health, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), energy systems, and environmental exposures by incorporating human behavior, mobility patterns, sensing technologies, and feedback mechanisms within broader social and environmental contexts.
To translate research into practice and pedagogy, he develops computational tools, data dashboards, digital platforms, and digital twins that support evidence-based decision-making, experiential learning, and stakeholder engagement to advance sustainable development through improvements in environmental quality, public health, and community equity.