Photo of Amir Baniassadi, PhD at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research in Boston, Massachusetts

Amir Baniassadi, PhD

  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
  • Research Fellow in Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
  • Faculty

Dr. Amir Baniassadi is a T32 Post-Doctoral Research Fellow working on environmental health, and in particular, the health and well-being of older adults within the built environment. Before joining the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Dr. Baniassadi was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University Graduate School of Design, where he researched climate adaptation and mitigation within the built environment. He has a Ph.D. in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering from Arizona State University and a B.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tehran.
 

Dr. Baniassadi works on the impacts of ambient air temperature and air quality (both indoors and outdoors) on outcomes related to the health and well-being of physiologically and socioeconomically vulnerable populations. His research applies novel environmental modeling and measurement techniques along with remote and long-term physiological and functional monitoring of individuals to establish relationships between exposure and outcome variables of interest outside clinical lab settings. The ultimate goal of his research is to develop environmental interventions that help older adults become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

  1. The Home Environment Health Study: A longitudinal observation study that monitors older adults within their home environment over several months. The goal of this study is to establish relationships between home-ambient temperature and outcomes related to sleep, cognitive function, and subjective well-being of older adults.
  2. Studying Thermal Resiliency of the Built Environment to Heat Waves: Using physics-based simulations, Dr. Baniassadi studies how housing characteristics and design contribute to indoor and outdoor (within the urban canopy) exposure to heat during periods of hot weather. 
     

Research Areas

Learn more about the areas of research where Dr. Baniassadi focuses.

A researcher at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research in Boston, MA studies MRI images of a human brain.

Brain Health

Through pioneering multidisciplinary research, the Marcus Institute is uncovering new answers to the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, delirium, and other changes to the brain.

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A research subject at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research stands on a measuring platform with a computer read-out reflected on the wall behind.

Physical Health and Function

Through the Marcus Institute’s research we are learning how older adults can maintain independence and quality of life.

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A researcher at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research in Boston, MA holds a vial of blood.

Biomarkers and Genetics

As precision medicine enters the mainstream of clinical care, Marcus Institute researchers are working to advance the understanding of disease biomarkers and genetics.

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A string of computer code is reflected in the glasses of a researcher at the Marcus Institute for Aging in Boston, MA.

Data Science and Technology

The Marcus Institute includes a biostatistics and data sciences faculty who collaborate with investigators to design and conduct clinical trials and observational studies in aging.

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Current Projects

View Dr. Baniassadi's current projects. 

Adaptive Biologically-Controlled Home Environments to Promote Health in Older Adults

This research aims to provide proof-of-concept that environmental sensors (e.g. temperature, humidity, light, and sound) can be used to adjust ambient environments where people live, and thereby improve the health and function of older adults.

Principal Investigator

High Frequency Monitoring of the Home Environment and Health and Wellbeing of Older Adults

This research aims to quantify the relationships between the physical home environment and health and wellbeing of older adults. 

Principal Investigator