Employment History
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Highlights

  • Professor of art, architecture & interior design: 6+ years’ national and international teaching/advising experience in higher education.
  • Instructional designer: 4+ years’ experience in designing online master courses in higher education (LMS); certified QM instructor/peer reviewer.
  • Advanced knowledge of managing student records and confidentiality; data privacy; sharing and protecting information across systems; family educational rights and privacy act (FERPA) and counseling techniques.
  • Working knowledge of the principles and practices of art education, curriculum design and development; interpersonal skills; coordination, planning and organizational skills; effective communication skills particularly with diverse populations; ability to learn easily and disseminate detailed information; ability to work independently and collaboratively with others or in teams; ability to work with complex systems in a fast-paced and dynamic environment; quick learner, flexible, patient, and creative.
  • Senior  researcher: 10+ years’ experience in archival research, data collection and qualitative analysis of historical data; fieldwork, site evaluation and preparation of technical reports; 7+ years’ experience in historical research at the British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum (London, England), the Louvre (Paris, France), the Glass Museum of Murano (Italy), and the Museum of Marrakesh (Marrakesh, Morocco). Trained in handling of historical artifacts including manuscripts and glass objects; well informed in areas of copyright, asset and collection management, labeling, fact-checking and proof reading.
  • Project management: 10+ years’ experience managing cross-functional and cross-disciplinary projects of all sizes; design, development, and leading projects from start to finish.
  • Artistic experiences including stained glass, photography, sketching, model making, drawing, color and design; organizing and managing several university exhibitions - designing and coordinating the program, and program logistics (art installation, preparation, and execution of safety procedures).
  • Public speaking including TEDx Special Event.
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) certified teacher; experience with adult education.
  • Computer skills: Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD, SketchUp, web design, Salesforce, video editing, Windows and Mac operating systems, MS Office Suite, Google Drive and mapping software (GIS & Google Earth).
  • Languages.

City Commissioner

Elected member of the Historic Landmark Commission 
Bryan, Texas, U.S.A, January 2022 - May 2022

  • Section 106 educator and advocate, providing cultural, social, economic, ethnic, and political support to the Historic Landmark Commission (HLC) with regard to identification, preservation, enhancement, and interpretation of the City of Bryan’s historic buildings; a voting member of the Certificates of Appropriateness process; participating in the City’s preservation Plan; community outreach and education.

Construction & Manufacturing

Division Sustainability Manager, North America - Kingspan Global -  Light & Air
​Chicago, IL, U.S.A, May 2022 - September 2022

'Kingspan Light & Air, is the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions for the construction market, with the ultimate goal of improving building performance, that would contribute to a more sustainable, energy-efficient future for customers and the environment'.
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  • Responsible for research, design and implementation of the sustainability goals and initiatives in Light & Air factories (North America).
  • Advising the R&D team on new product developments by comparing sustainability criteria of various materials.
  • Creating site-specific ESG reports using solution-based software e.g., Diligent.
  • Collecting data and creating Life Cycle Assessment reports via LCA software, e.g., Sphera (GaBi).
  • Working with plant managers and engineering teams to develop site-specific corporate sustainability strategies to ensure that business practices, products and services are environmentally friendly and compliant with state and federal laws and regulations.
  • Working with suppliers to develop next generation sustainability products, including advanced day-lighting, ventilation and roof safety products.
  • Contributing to Planet Passionate initiatives through the purchase and installation of rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, EV charging stations, etc. 

Instructional Design

Digital Learning Advocate and Instructional Designer - Blinn College 
​Bryan, Texas, U.S.A, April 2019 - August 2022
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  • Developing and delivering instructional materials in the department of architecture via learning management systems including Blackboard, D2L (Brightspace), Moodle and Canvas.
  • Certified and specialized in digital accessibility and educational technology (QM certified online instructor & QM certified peer/course reviewer).
  • Designing fully accessible teaching materials, by applying QM rubrics to online and in-person courses, including course overview and introduction, learning objectives, assessment and measurement, learning activities, learner support, accessibility and usability.
  • Live and recorded video lectures via Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
  • Design of info-graphics, student manuals and teaching guides, using software including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and Sketchup.

Teaching

Guest Lecturer - University of Louisville
Interior Design Department - Hite Institute of Art & Design
Louisville, KY, February 2024
Title: The Importance of Learning Through Research
Professor/Student Advisor - Dallas College (School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.A, August 2023 - Present
Summary: 10 classes annually - class capacity: 16
Lecture and studio classes including: Fundamentals of Interior Design, Basic Elements of Design, Residential Design, Presentation Drawing, Environmental Psychology, Human Factor (ergonomics)

  • Professor of interior design with a focus on Design Thinking and Sustainable Design; teaching lecture courses (research methodology, history, and theory) and core design studio courses (drawing, model-making, color theory, and visual communications); encouraging project-based learning to provide students with opportunities to explore materials, tools, and techniques used in arts and architectural crafts.
  • Cultivating future interior design professionals through expert academic advising, comprehensive studio and lecture course instruction, community collaborations with local businesses and government, field trips to historic landmarks, portfolio preparation guidance, and industry-standard education.

Professional Development and Training - Dallas College
  • ACUE Certification - Promoting Active Learning Online, April 2024
  • Accessibility Training, December 2023
  • Cybersecurity Awareness Training, December 2023
  • Emergency Preparedness Training, December 2023
  • FERPA Training, December 2023
  • Title IX and Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, December 2023
Guest Lecturer - ​American River College
Interior Design Department 
Sacramento, California, U.S.A, May 2023
Title: ​An Overview of Residential, Commercial, and Specialty Practices in the World of Professional Interior Design
Guest Lecturer - Fresno State University
Department of Construction Management - Architectural Studies Program
Fresno, California, U.S.A, March 2023
Title: How to Become a Smart Architect
Professor/CRT Secretary/Faculty Senator/Student Advisor - Blinn College (Architecture Program) 
Bryan, Texas, U.S.A, January 2019 - August 2022
Summary: 16 classes annually - FTF/blended​/fully online - class capacity: 35
Theory of architecture, architectural design and technology

  • Architecture professor; teaching undergraduate seminar and lecture courses in history of architecture (from ancient times to modern); sustainable and environmental design; construction science.
  • Curriculum design; preparation of teaching materials, lesson plans, quizzes, final exams and the final project; exhibiting students’ architectural models/projects throughout the department; organizing workshops for students and members of staff (e.g. web design & portfolio preparation); collaboration with local libraries and businesses.
  • Academic advising; empowering first generation college students via development of positive friendships and encouraging them to persist in their college journey; creating contact lists to ensure students’ access to admissions, financial aid, and registration deadlines and most recent updates from the program/department; encouraging students to apply for federally funded programs.
  • Faculty senator (2020-2021); facilitating communication between the AKA faculty and the upper management; advocating for the faculty within the division of AKA, to ensure that their viewpoints, concerns, and interests are effectively communicated and considered in institutional decision-making; participating in the development and review of institutional policies and procedures by analyzing proposed policies providing feedback and suggesting modifications.
  • Teaching Excellence Award nominee for the 2019/2020 and 2021/2022 academic year; member of the hiring committee (2020-2022).
  • TEDx Special Event speaker, 2019.

Professional Development and Training - Blinn College
  • Tegrity and Turnitin Overview Workshop, February 2019
  • Addressing Accessibility Workshop, March 2019
  • Quality Matters: Improving Your Online Course Workshop (IYOC), April 2019
  • Hiring Guide Training Workshop, April 2019​
  • Protecting Youth Training (Certificate), January 2021
  • Harassment & Discrimination Prevention Training (Certificate)
  • Cybersecurity Awareness Training (Certificate), January 2021
  • COVID-19 Prevention Training (Certificate), January 2021
  • Academic Advising Workshop, January 2021
  • Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR), January 2022
  • Peer Reviewer (3-weeks) Course, January 2022
Assistant Lecturer - University of Kent (Kent School of Architecture, Design and Planning)
Canterbury, England, August 2015 - August 2016
Summary:​ 8 classes annually - class capacity: 20
History and theory of architecture, 15th-19th century

Assistant lecturer; teaching undergraduate seminar courses in history of architecture; preparation of lesson plans; supporting students and their learning by managing study groups of 60 architecture students; encouraging students to think critically and analytically by providing them with written feedback; encouraging students to participate in public and citywide design and construction projects​; assisting students with visual presentation of their artwork through digital and non-digital techniques; providing students with detailed art/architecture writing tutorials​​.

Research

Architectural Historian Trainee - Kent School of Architecture and Planning
Canterbury, England, September 2014 - November 2019

  • Teaching undergraduate courses at the department of architecture.
  • Performing archival research, data collection and qualitative analysis of historical data with regard to historical preservation of monumental buildings; academic publishing.
  • Project planning; data collection and assessment; budgeting, preparation and submission of research grant applications.
  • Actively engaging in collaborative projects with international cultural and educational institutions.
  • Training and practicing academic legislation and procedures.
  • International travel; participation in public and academic lectures and curatorial workshops at the British Museum in London, England.

Conferences, Publications & Award Recognition

  • A Traditional Narrative on the Origin, Design and Climatic Imperative of Colored Glass Lattice Panels and Orsi Windows in Persia - Historic Building Services in Education, Practice and Research - A symposium, July 2018, England
  • Safavid Colored Glass Windows of Persia - The Iran Society, September 2017, England
  • Orsi, Colored Windows of Iran - 8th Dresden International Doctoral Colloquium: Aesthetics in Architecture and Urban Design, June 2016, Germany
  • Design, Origin and Climatic Effects of Orsi in the Architecture of Iran - Medieval and Early Modern Festival, University of Kent, June 2016, England
  • Teaching Excellence Award nominee for the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic year, Blinn College, Texas, USA

Publications
  • On the Origins and Development of Architectural Glass and Coloured Glass During the Safavid Dynasty
  • The Climatic Profile of Safavid Persia as Described by Western Travelers
  • The Evolution of Large-Scale Orsi Windows in Safavid Persia Architectural Development and Adaptation to the Hot-Arid Climate of the Persian Plateau
  • The Impact of Wealthy Armenians in New Julfa on the Development of Coloured Glass Lattice Panels and Orsi Windows During the Safavid Dynasty
  • Western Travelers' Accounts of Persian Coloured Glass Lattice Panels and Orsi Windows (1600-1900 A.D.)
TEDx Special Event Speaker, Blinn College
Bryan Campus, Texas, May 2019

Topic: How understanding history can bring people together?
Abstract: Today, regardless of our geographical location, we are all affected by the shifting climate. Exploring the historical built-environment and climatic solutions of ancient cultures, could improve our understanding of the climatic adaption embraced for many centuries by such cultures. By integrating the ancient climatic-responsive architectural methods to our modern culture, we could potentially improve our chance of survival in the wake of climate related disasters. Traveling, reading and visiting museums, can help us become more aware, educated and therefore understanding of other cultures and their history which included sustainable methods of architectural design and construction.

Peer Review Activity - ORCID

Design Experience

Exhibitions

  • Starbucks Avant-Garde Group Exhibition: Moscone Center, 2006 - Paintings
  • Academy of Art University: French Rabbit IAD Group Exhibition, San Francisco, 2006 - Sculpture
  • Chelsea College of Art & Design: Interim Show, Chelsea College, London, 2013 - Acrylic Installation
  • Chelsea College of Art & Design: Graduation Show, Chelsea College, London, 2013 - Stained glass sculpture

Business Sales, Management & Customer Service

+10 years' experience in retail sales and management for several fortune 500 companies including Macy's, Starbucks, Bloomingdale’s, Peet's, Crate and Barrel and CB2. Duties included: HR, customer service, POS, banking, financial planning (including cost management and inventory control); strategic planning including assisting sales associates in achieving their daily sales goals; creating new sales opportunities by forecasting and managing store budget on a quarterly basis resulting in high bonuses; drafting contracts; recruiting, training, and promoting staff; visual merchandising; brand and stock management; Black Apron Coffee Master at Starbucks; employee of the year at Peet's Coffee in 2009.

  • Furniture Sales Associate, CB2, Chicago, IL, 2023
  • Furniture Sales Associate, Crate & Barrel Co. Dallas, TX, 2018
  • Waterford Crystal Sales Specialist, Bloomingdale's, Stanford, Palo Alto, CA, 2014
  • Store Manager, The Body Shop, Central London, U.K., 2011
  • Floor Manager, Crate & Barrel Co. San Francisco, CA, 2007
  • Assistant Store Manager, Starbucks Co, San Francisco, CA, 2006
  • Shift Supervisor, Peet's Coffee Company, San Francisco, CA, 2005
  • Assistant Store Manager, Clock Tower Co, Mountain View, CA, 2003-2005
  • Ralph Lauren Sales Specialist & Design Consultant, Macy's, Palo Alto, CA, 2002

Some of my retail memorabilia I managed to save throughout the years...