Saman Jamshidi, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of interior architecture and design in the School of Architecture at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research is grounded in evidence-based design and focuses on using scientific evidence and interdisciplinary perspectives to inform design decision-making. His research centers on four interconnected areas: wayfinding in complex interior environments, healthcare design, health-promoting environments, and the development of tools and frameworks that strengthen evidence-based design.

A central focus of Jamshidi’s research is understanding how the built environment shapes perceptual and cognitive processes and, in turn, influences human behavior and experience. His work on wayfinding has moved from synthesizing existing knowledge to identifying environmental factors that affect users’ cognitive processes during navigation and examining the organizational consequences of ineffective wayfinding in hospitals. More recently, he has applied salutogenic theory to wayfinding design, developing a framework that considers users’ cognitive, physical, and motivational needs.

Another major area of his scholarship focuses on strengthening the methodological foundations of evidence-based design. He developed a hierarchy-of-evidence tool specifically for evaluating and weighting research commonly used in healthcare and environmental design. He also developed the Standardized Case Reports for Architecture and the Built Environment (SCALE) Guidelines, which provide a structured approach for translating knowledge generated through professional design practice into forms that can contribute to scholarly research. Across these efforts, his goal is to strengthen the connection between research and practice and make evidence more accessible, credible, and useful for design decision-making.

Jamshidi holds a Ph.D. in Interior and Environmental Design from Texas Tech University and a Master of Architecture. Before entering academia, he practiced architecture and interior design across a range of project types and professional contexts. He holds NCIDQ Certification and is an Evidence-Based Design Accredited and Certified (EDAC) professional, LEED Green Associate, and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS). His academic and professional backgrounds continue to inform his research and teaching and strengthen his interest in bridging scholarly knowledge with the practical realities of design decision-making.

In his teaching, Jamshidi emphasizes the integration of research evidence, design thinking, technical knowledge, emerging technologies, and professional practice. He has introduced evidence-based educational strategies to strengthen student learning and has developed extracurricular initiatives and mentorship opportunities that support students’ academic and professional growth. He received the 2025 UNLV College of Fine Arts Teacher of the Year Award in recognition of his teaching excellence.