Irina Solovyova is an Assistant Professor in Interior Design Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She was born in Volgograd, Russia where she received Diploma or an Architect (an equivalent of Master in Architecture) from Volgograd State Architectural and Engineering University in 1999. In 2008 Irina received Ph.D. in Architecture from Texas A&M University. Before joining UTSA Irina taught foundation design at Texas A&M, and interior design at the University of Idaho.

Irina’s research area of expertise is emotional component of memory as related to design, influence of autobiographical experiences of designers on the product and process of design, and design pedagogy. She has over 10 peer-reviewed publications in the USA and internationally. Her article “Embodiment of an Eye” co-authored with Irina’s long term collaborator Upali Nanda received an honorable mention by European Association for Architectural Education in biennale (2003-2005) competition on the writings in architectural education. Currently Irina is collaborating on a long-term project with the American Art Resources, Houston, and working on several of independent research projects. Irina is also a member of several professional organizations: she is Associate AIA, Associate IIDA, and member of IDEC, Design Communication Association, Design Research Society and International Society for Research on Emotion.

Over 6 years of teaching Irina taught 14 different courses in interior design and architecture curriculum. Studio teaching is her passion. Irina believes that each student is capable and can succeed. She encourages her students to participate in competitions and is happy to see them win. Irina’s student work has been shortlisted in major national and international design competitions, published and exhibited in prestigious design shows in London and Tokyo. Irina is also a Service Learning Fellow since 2005.