Dr. Beth McGee, 2018 graduate of the DCP doctoral program, interior design concentration, was named as one of ten emerging scholars in the Health in Buildings Roundtable (HiBR) program that is part of the National Institute of Health Healthy Buildings initiative.
This new program recognizes emerging scholars who are advancing interdisciplinary and high impact research, education or policy on healthy and sustainable buildings. The 10 named scholars included graduate students, junior researchers, early-to-mid career faculty, and scholars from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds.
All scholars presented their research at the 2018 Interdisciplinary Conference on Health and the Sustainable Built Environment at the NIH Campus Natcher Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
To participate in the roundtable, McGee received a travel award to present her dissertation entitled Designing Biophilia into Interior Environmental Practice: A Biophilic Design Assessment Tool development—in the All Scholars plenary session of the conference.
She also was part of the Scholars Roundtable and Breakout Discussion. The HiBR program aims to foster early career growth by recognizing each scholar’s achievements and potential while ensuring equal access to the HiBR community.
During her doctoral program, McGee was funded by a UF Graduate School Fellowship and taught undergraduates, assisted with research and assisted with the department’s reaccreditation. Dr. Nam-Kyu Park served as faculty advisor for her dissertation. The committee also included Drs. Sheila Bosch, Margaret Portillo, and Mickie Swisher.
Looking Back, Looking Forward with Dr. Beth McGee
How would you describe your experience in the DCP doctoral program?
“I would characterize my experience as a dedicated time of personal growth and expansion of my abilities. I appreciated the ability to be able to pause my career and be able to start this new path. I also followed the advice of a colleague who had just completed her Ph.D., who recommended that I try to enjoy the experience. And I did try to do that.”
What are your goals and aspirations for the future?
“I do want to continue developing my biophilic interior design toolkit for users through continued testing and development. I think it’s a life-long journey. I feel my possibilities for the future are boundless.”