Carol Menassa

My research focuses on understanding and modeling the interconnections between the human and the built environment. In this context, my research group focuses on two main research thrusts. In the first, we study the impact that human behaviors and actions on the built environment. For example, we use modeling and simulation to understand impact of occupants on energy use in buildings, and develop decision frameworks to sustainably retrofit existing buildings. In the second thrust, we focus on understanding the effect of the built environment on human comfort, well-being and accessibility issues. For example, we use non-intrusive methods such as low cost thermal cameras to provide personalized thermal comfort settings in single and multi-occupancy space. We also develop personalized localization and path planning methods to assist people with physical disabilities in navigating unknown building environments. My research group has expertise in energy simulation, complex adaptive systems modeling, high-level architecture and informatics, computer vision and robotics.