California State University Archives

Dr. Beena (Veena) Howard is professor of Asian religious traditions in the Department of Philosophy at California State University, Fresno. She holds the Endowed Chair in Jain and Hindu Dharma, and also serves as the director of the M.K. Gandhi Center: Inner Peace and Sarvodaya. Her publications include the books Gandhi’s Global Legacy: Moral Methods and Moral Challenges (ed., Lexington, 2023); The Bloomsbury Research Handbook of Indian Philosophy and Gender (ed., Bloomsbury, 2019); Dharma, Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh Traditions of India (ed., I.B. Tauris, 2017); and Gandhi’s Ascetic Activism: Renunciation and Social Action (SUNY Press, 2013). She has also authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, including “The Nonviolence Conundrum: Political Peace and Personal Karma in Jain and Hindu Traditions”; “Nonviolence as Love in Action: James Lawson’s Transforming the Promise of Jesus’ Love into a Practical Force for Change”; “Divine Light and Melodies Lead the Way: The Santmat Tradition of Bihar”; “Lessons from ‘The Hawk and the Dove’: Reflections on the Mahābhārata’s Animal Parables and Ethical Predicaments”; and “Rethinking Gandhi’s Celibacy: Ascetic Power and the Empowerment of Women”. Notably, she has served on the Board of Trustees of the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Dr. Howard is also a TEDx speaker.

Using philosophical and textual approaches and women and gender studies theories, Dr. Howard’s Fulbright-Nehru research project is seeking to create a conversation with the Jain advocates of women’s equality and education, Shrimad Rajchandra (1867–1901) and Virchand Gandhi (1864–1901), while studying the life and work of the female Jain activist, Mridula Sarabhai (1911–1973). Born in a distinguished family, Sarabhai adopted an austere life, defied patriarchal norms, and made heroic efforts to rehabilitate abducted Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim women in violence-stricken areas. Through archival resources, engagement with faculty and students at the International School of Jain Studies and local universities, as well as through interviews with the Sarabhai family and Jain female leaders and followers, Dr. Howard is seeking to further the questions of women’s struggle against gender bias and violence.

Dr. Hessam Ghamari is associate professor of interior design in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). With over 15 years of experience as an architect and interior designer across Iran and the United States, Dr. Ghamari brings a wealth of expertise to his role. His professional journey spans diverse projects in healthcare, hospitality, commercial spaces, and residential design. Before joining CSUN, Dr. Ghamari taught at Appalachian State University for four years. In 2014, he earned his PhD in environmental interior design from Texas Tech University, marking a pivotal point in his academic and research pursuits. He has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and has presented at international conferences, focusing on topics like environmental psychology, evidence-based design, and healthcare environments.

Central to Dr. Ghamari’s design philosophy is a deep-rooted belief in addressing the physiological and psychological needs of individuals through interior spaces. He champions the creation of healthy, humanistic environments that positively impact users’ quality of life across diverse settings. His interdisciplinary approach integrates insights from environmental psychology, healthcare design, and evidence-based practices to enhance health and well-being outcomes. Currently, Dr. Ghamari holds significant leadership roles as the director of Strategic Initiatives and as a board member at the Interior Design Educators Council. He also serves as the director of Academy Awards and as a board member at the International Academy of Design and Health. Dr. Ghamari has received prestigious awards, including the Irene Winifred Eno Grant from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).

Dr. Ghamari’s Fulbright-Nehru research, in collaboration with the National Institute of Technology Calicut, is assessing the quality of physical environments in Indian hospitals using evidence-based healthcare design principles. With its focus on patient safety, infection control, and staff well-being, the study is employing a comprehensive data collection approach involving quantitative and qualitative methods and field observations. By investigating factors such as accessibility, sustainability, and staff workflow, the research aims to improve healthcare spaces and outcomes in India.