Research Projects
Below you will find research projects done by members of our department. Click on any of them to view details about the project.
Great Plains ADA Center
In conjunction with the Great Plains ADA Center, researchers engage in applied, practice-informed research to identify barriers, assess outcomes, and translate findings into effective technical assistance. https://gpadacenter.org/research/
- Md Obidul Haque, Jong Bum Kim, Debora Verniz, and Troy Balthazor. 2025. Healthcare BIM: A framework for computational compliance checking to enhance accessibility in healthcare facilities. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATICS, Proceedings of the 30th International Conference of the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA) 2025, Volume 3, 69-78. https://papers.cumincad.org/data/works/att/caadria2025_834.pdf
- Md. Obidul Haque, Jong Bum Kim, Debora Verniz. 2024. Healthcare BIM: A computational compliance checking method to improve accessibility in hospital buildings. Estevez, A. T., Torreblanca-Díaz, D. A., Abdallah, Y. K., Orciuoli, A. (org), Biodigital Intelligent Systems – Proceedings of the SiGradi 2024. https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.sigradi.2024.1965
- “Accessibility experience of healthcare facilities for physically disabled.” Interior Design Educators Conference. Mar. 18, 2025. Verniz, D., Faizan, R., Shih, H., Lancaster, J.https://idec.org/wp-content/uploads/IDEC-Proceedings-Final-Review_PB_062725-Compressed-1.pdf
- Haque, Md. O., 2025. Poster. Fall 2025 Disability-Focused Research Showcase. University of Missouri.
- Shih, H., 2025. Poster. Fall 2025 Disability-Focused Research Showcase. University of Missouri.
- Shih, H. 2025. Poster. University of Missouri Research and Creative Activities Forum (RCAF). https://gpc.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/10/RCAF-Book-of-Abstracts-V11.pdf. Winner: Third Place in Poster Presentation in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Missouri Prison Transformation Project
The Missouri Prison Transformation Project (MPTP) seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of those living in, working in, and recently released from prison. The MPTP is a 5-year-long, Randomized Control Trial, and was designed in partnership with the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC).
Year: 2024-2029
Predicting Solar Radiation in Planned Urban Developments with Machine-Learning Algorithm Comparison Framework
The research investigated an integration method of parametric BIM, iterative simulations, ML algorithms, and ML data diagnosis techniques to predict the solar radiation of planned development scenarios.
Year: 2023
More information:
- Kim, S. & Kim, J. B. (Under 1st review, 2023). Predicting Solar Radiation in Planned Urban Developments with Machine-Learning. Submitted to Journal of Renewable Energy, Elsevier.
Storytelling for Sustainability to educate the future Workforce in AEC
This study aims to explore the potential of storytelling as a medium of sustainability related education and training in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. The goal is to develop impactful stories that can not only capture the complexity and multidimensional nature of sustainability issues in AEC, but also use narratives to stimulate emotions and develop favorable attitudes for sustainable development.
Year: 2024-2026
More information:
- Shafique, F., Lancaster, J., & Faizan, R. (2024). Storytelling for Sustainability in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Education: A Framework. Creative Education, 15(7), 1524-1536.
Experiencing Arts in the metaverse: Using the ARS survey to determine latent research possibilities
This proposal aims to compare individuals’ aesthetic appreciation of a visual artwork in two media: painting and immersive environment. The goal is to determine latent research possibilities using visual arts island virtual reality, such as the use of immersive artwork environments in therapeutic treatments.
Year: 2022-2024
More information:
Towards a sustainable energy policy for informal settlements
This research builds on Dr. Verniz PhD research: “Understanding the genesis of form in Brazilian informal settlements: towards a grammar-based approach for planning favela-like settlements in steep terrains in Rio de Janeiro”.
At this stage, we propose ways to promote energy justice towards low-income residents.
Year: 2022-ongoing
More information:
- Publications:
- Aman, J.; Verniz, D.; Santos, D.; Kim, J. B.; Pontes, T. (2024 under review). Towards a Sustainable Energy Policy in Informal Settlements: The Case of Santa Marta Favela. In: International Journal of Architectural Computing. (Expected: March 2024).
- Verniz Debora, Santos, Deborah. 2022. Viability study for a sustainable energy policy in informal settlements: The case of Santa Marta favela. Critical Appropriations. SiGraDi 2022 conference. Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Peru. DOI: 10.5151/sigradi2022-sigradi2022_49
ASH Scholars: The Art of Death
This ASH (Arts, Social Science, and Humanities) program is directed to undergraduate research. Students are tasked with exploring “death” as a theme for their artistic creations. Faculty are there to support with necessary knowledge and technology. Students produce at least two expositions a year and selection for participation happens once a year before the Fall semester starts.
Year: 2023-ongoing
More information: