Journal of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences

Dr. Hala Medhat Assem Ahmed Mohamed Abou-Awad is an Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering at The British University in Egypt (BUE). She earned her PhD in Architectural Engineering from Ain Shams University with specialization in Neuroarchitecture Design and Neurodiversity. Her research focuses on neuroarchitecture, sustainable architectural design, environmental psychology, landscape design, inclusive design, and human wellbeing in the built environment.

Dr. Hala has extensive teaching experience in architectural design, interior design, sustainability, urban planning, landscape architecture, environmental design, research methodologies, and technical writing. She has contributed as a reviewer for several Scopus-indexed international journals and conferences, including Q1 and Q2 journals in architecture, education, and environmental research.

She is also an Academic Research and Consultancy Member at the Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA), USA, and Executive Manager of Research and Development at Aldaffa Organizational Development Consultancy. Her academic contributions include publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and interdisciplinary research collaborations focusing on sustainable and human-centered design.

• Neuroarchitecture and Neuroscience in Architecture
• Sustainable Architectural and Interior Design
• Environmental Psychology
• Human Wellbeing in the Built Environment
• Neurodiversity and Inclusive Design

• Reviewer at Journal of Engineering Sciences (JES)
• Reviewer at Social Sciences & Humanities Open (SSHO)
• Reviewer at Brain & Heart Journal
• Reviewer at Cogent Education
• Reviewer at Cogent Arts & Humanities
• Reviewer at International Journal of Environmental Research (IJER)
• Reviewer at International Journal of Architecture, Arts and Applications
• Reviewer at ANFA Conference 2025
• Reviewer at GDI 2025 International Conference
• Academic Research and Consultancy Member at Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture (ANFA), USA
• Executive Manager of Research and Development at Aldaffa Consultancy
• Speaker and Guest Lecturer in Architecture, Sustainability, Neuroarchitecture, and Interior Design
• Organizer and Facilitator of Academic Workshops and Community-Based Design Initiatives

1. Assem, H.M. and Morsi, W.K. (2025). A Framework for The Design of Effective Learning Environments in the AI Era: Egyptian Students’ Preferences from Humanities versus Engineering Disciplines. Journal of Engineering Sciences.
2. Morsi, W.K. and Assem, H.M. (2024). Gender Differences: The Impact of Gender Grouping on Egyptian STEM Undergraduates' Online Group Work. MEXTESOL Journal.
3. Assem, H.M., Khodeir, L.M., and Fathy, F. (2023). Designing for Human Wellbeing: The Integration of Neuroarchitecture in Design – A Systematic Review. Ain Shams Engineering Journal.
4. Assem, H.M. and Morsi, W.K. (2021). Online versus Face-to-face Collaborative Learning: Perceptions of Students and Instructors of Technical Writing for Engineers. IEEE EDUCON Conference.
5. Assem, H.M., Tolba, O., and Ashour, S. (2020). The Restorative Effect of Different Landscape Design Settings on Adults: The Case of Al-Azhar Park in Cairo. Journal of Engineering and Applied Science.
6. Assem, H. and Elsayed, M. (2018). Redefining Heritage Public Spaces for Cultural Events through the Use of GIS Technology: The Case of El Azhar Street Cairo. International Design Journal.
7. Ahmed, H.M. and Othman, A. (2013). Achieving Sustainable Values through Waste Reduction during the Architectural Design Process. International Conference on Industry Academia Collaboration.
8. Assem, H.M. et al. (2021). Green Modular Residential Unit Design Proposal – Design Solutions for Small Spaces during the Covid-19 Challenge. Young Architects Competition Proceedings.