Julie Mollica is a PhD candidate in the Constructed Environment program within the School of Architecture. Julie’s research aims to examine the effects of biophilic design on stress to inform mental health-promoting design, especially residential design. Her research combines self-reports and heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring with mobile electroencephalography (EEG) neuroimaging, a novel method in environmental analyses. The main goals are to (1) quantify the impact of design elements in naturalistic settings (real environments) on stress and (2) gauge the effectiveness of biophilic design as a mental health intervention. Julie completed an undergraduate degree in Neuroscience and a Master of Architecture degree before starting at UVA in 2022. She is working with CIRCL to understand how the experience of contemplative practice is shaped by the environment.