Ball State University professor Dr. Shireen Kanakri was awarded an NSF grant for Autism research and named a Fulbright Specialist for her work in the College of Architecture and Planning. Photo from Ball State University.

News Release

MUNCIE — Dr. Shireen Kanakri, professor of interior design and graduate program director in Ball State University’s Department of Construction Management and Interior Design, has received a $266,028 grant from the National Science Foundation to support a three-year research project focused on the impact of daylight on children with autism.

In addition, Dr. Kanakri has been selected for the U.S. Department of State’s prestigious Fulbright Specialist Roster, recognizing her as a global expert in autism and the built environment.

Dr. Kanakri’s NSF-funded study — titled “Collaborative Research: The Impact of Daylighting on Behavioral Response of Children with ASD: Evidence and Implementation Strategies for Improving Learning Environments” — aims to quantify how dynamic patterns of natural light influence behavior and sensory responses in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The interdisciplinary project team includes researchers from Purdue University and integrates expertise in architecture, psychology, engineering, and interior design.

“There is an urgent need to create inclusive learning environments that support the unique sensory and behavioral needs of children with autism,” Dr. Kanakri said. “I am deeply grateful to the National Science Foundation for supporting this work, which brings together evidence-based design, behavioral research, and machine learning to help improve quality of life for this population. This grant will allow us to develop real-world design guidelines that can make a meaningful difference in schools and therapeutic settings.”

The project will involve testing real-world daylighting conditions with children diagnosed with ASD, using advanced luminance sensing tools and behavioral assessments. Researchers will develop predictive models to inform new design standards that promote healthier behavior and reduce sensory distress. Findings will be shared with educators, parents, and designers through outreach initiatives and publications.

A leading voice in autism-focused design research, Dr. Kanakri also directs the Health Environmental Design Research Lab at Ball State. She has published extensively on how environmental factors — such as noise, color, and lighting — affect children with autism.

Dr. Kanakri’s selection to the Fulbright Specialist Roster reflects her international leadership in this field. The Fulbright Specialist Program, part of the larger U.S. Fulbright Program, pairs U.S. academics and professionals with institutions in more than 150 countries for short-term collaborative projects. Her roster tenure extends through April 2028.

“I am honored to join the Fulbright Specialist Program and excited about the opportunity to engage with international partners who are also passionate about advancing autism-related research,” Dr. Kanakri said. “It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to global efforts aimed at designing healthier and more responsive spaces for neurodiverse individuals.”

Dr. Kanakri earned her doctorate in architecture from Texas A&M University’s Center for Health Systems and Design, with a specialization in health and behavioral design. She joined Ball State’s faculty in 2014 and was recognized with the ARCC King Medal for innovation, integrity, and scholarship in environmental design research.

For more information about Dr. Kanakri’s research, visit the Health Environmental Design Research Lab website.