The American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID) and Nurture® by Steelcase have announced the recipient of the 2009 AAHID / Nurture Graduate Research Fellowship is James J. Marstiller, MS, FASID.

The purpose of the program is to promote the importance of interior design research and to contribute to the body of knowledge for healthcare interior design, consistent with the mission of AAHID. It also reflects Nurture's mission through research and evidence-based design to change the way people experience healthcare environments.

The fellowship is also meant to assist new investigators in initiating the research aspect of their education by providing seed money to afford graduate students the opportunity to pursue new or novel areas of research.

"We are very pleased to award this fellowship to such an outstanding candidate," says Jocelyn Stroupe, vice president of AAHID. "The significance of the proposed research study by Mr. Marstiller, his qualifications, the clarity of his goals and his potential to make significant contributions to our industry in the future really made him the right choice in the selection committee's mind."

Marstiller's research will focus on finding the best interior design practice methods for people living with dementia and other cognitive disorders and then develop a theory to prove their effectiveness, which, in the end, will increase their quality of life.

"Nurture is very excited to partner with AAHID and participate in this wonderful program," says Michael Love, president of Nurture by Steelcase. "Nurture strongly believes in evidence-based design and thorough research to better healthcare environments and we believe that Mr. Marstiller's research will further that effort."

AAHID and Nurture will assist Marstiller in the development of his research and design exploration and the award is intended to support the recipient by providing funds to cover educational and necessary expenses during 2009.

"It is with great honor that I accept the responsibility of being named the 2009 AAHID / Nurture Fellow," says Marstiller.  "I am truly humbled by AAHID's and Nurture's generosity and am also very excited about the opportunity to look at interior design measures for those suffering from dementia or other cognitive challenges."

During AAHID's annual meeting on Nov. 1, Marstiller will give a presentation sharing his research and will also present the results of his research at the annual Healthcare Design Conference in Orlando, Fla. (Oct. 31 – Nov. 3).