Kristi Gaines, Ph.D., IIDA, IDEC

About Dr. Gaines

Dr. Gaines is the Associate Dean of the Graduate School & Interim Chair, Professor in the Department of Design at Texas Tech University. She received her Ph.D. in Environmental Design with collaterals in Architecture and Education and has a combined 20 years of professional interior design and teaching experience. She has served in several national and regional leadership positions for professional organizations including the Interior Design Educator's Council and the International Interior Design Association. She also is responsible for coordinating Professional and Career development programs for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Dr. Gaines is the recipient of several teaching, research and service awards and is a graduate of the inaugural class of the President's Leadership Institute at Texas Tech.

Research Focus

Published in numerous academic journals, Gaines' research investigates the impact of learning environments for people of all abilities in the United States, United Kingdom and Malawi, Africa. A current project combines neuroscience and augmented reality visualization using fMRI technology to compare the behavioral and neural responses for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has also teamed up with researchers in apparel design and manufacturing to develop functional clothing for children with sensory integrative differences. Most recently, she was awarded the Chancellor's Council Distinguished Research Award and the President's Emerging Engaged Scholarship Award.

Areas of Expertise

• Environmental design of inclusive environments
• Environmental design of learning environments
• Inclusive design for the senses

Selected Publications

Gaines, K., Bourne, A., Pearson, M., Kleibrink, M. (2016) Designing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Routledge. New York. ISBN-10: 0415725275 ISBN-13: 978-0415725279

Colwell, M., Gaines, K., Pinson, M., Corson, K. (2016). Space, Place, and Privacy: Preschool Children's Secret Hiding Places. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal. (44)4.

Gharaveis, A., Shepley, M. M., & Gaines, K. (2016). The Role of Daylighting in Skilled Nursing Short-Term Rehabilitation Facilities. HERD: Health Environments Research & Design Journal, 9(2), 105-118.

Gaines, K., Curry, Z., Shroyer, J., Amor, C., Lock, R. (2014). The perceived effects of classroom design and features on students with autism spectrum disorders. Journal  of Architectural Planning and Research. (31:4) 282-298.

Gaines, K., Bergan, L., Curry, Z. (2014). Full spectrum classroom design. The International Journal of Learner Diversity and Identities (Volume 20) 15-28.

Gaines, K., Sancibrian, S. (2014). The effects of environmental noise on the behavior of children with ASD.  The International Journal of Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design (Volume 7, Issue 2), 51-64.

Aburas, R., Gaines, K., Shin, S. (2014). Physical and psychosocial factors in classroom design for elementary level schools. The International Journal of Early Childhood Learning. (Vol. 20), 19-35.

Shabha, G. & Gaines, K (2013) "A comparative analysis of transatlantic design interventions for therapeutically enhanced learning environments – Texas vs West Midlands", Facilities, Vol. 31 Issue 13/14, pp.634 – 658.

Gaines, K., Curry, Z. (2011). The effects of color on learning and behavior. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Education, 29(1).