About Me

I'm Tara Pearson, a PhD student in Human Behavior and Design at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology. My research explores how environmental design — real and virtual — shapes emotional experience and bolsters, or sometimes thwarts, wellbeing. I'm especially interested in what sparks delight, and in expanding access to those who are typically marginalized.

To me, the magic of discovery happens in the in-between spaces of life, where disciplines overlap and unexpected ideas emerge. I hold a Master of Architecture from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Biohazardous Threat Agents and Emerging Infectious Disease from Georgetown, on top of a B.A. in Biology and Women's Studies. That mix — design, public health, and a deep curiosity about how societies respond to crisis — shapes everything I do. I've taught architectural design studios and graphic design fundamentals, and developed an original course on how disease has driven architectural innovation across history, including through the COVID-19 pandemic. I love exploring evidence of human resilience at work.

I believe design should be inclusive by default, that diversity makes everything stronger, and that empathy for others is far more than a soft skill. When I'm not researching or teaching, I'm probably deep in the news cycle, cheering on feminist and LGBTQ+ causes, or tucking into a story about historic epidemics or true crime with my dogs at my side.