Melinda Anderson-Guerrero, Ph.D. profile and information

Short Bio

Dr. Lori Guerrero studies the positive impacts of naturalized learning environments on children’s health, wellness, and development. Her work bridges research, teaching, and practice, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration. She has led and contributed to meaningful outreach projects that translate academic research into real-world impact, often partnering with underserved communities. Dr. Guerrero actively contributed to the statewide initiative OLE! Texas, traveling across the state to disseminate educational presentations to early childhood educators and community leaders, highlighting the developmental benefits of intentionally designed outdoor learning environments. Her creative scholarship includes leading participant-focused design workshops and providing complimentary design drawings to early childhood education centers. Dr. Guerrero is also an enthusiastic and intentional teacher, focused on training the next generation of professional interior designers. Her teaching employs the Socratic Method and draws from her academic and professional experiences to build rapport and trust with students. She brings a practitioner’s perspective to the classroom, grounded in years of experience in commercial and residential interior design, while also celebrating graduate and undergraduate research within her courses. Dr. Guerrero received an Outstanding Faculty Mentor award for her dedication to student research in 2023 and continues to invite students to engage in student-led research. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving children’s environments through education, design, and collaborative, evidence-based approaches.