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Melanie De Cola is a seasoned professional in architectural research and design with extensive experience across multiple firms. Currently serving as senior manager of architectural research at The American Institute of Architects (AIA) since July 2019, De Cola focuses on enhancing support for architecture firms and organizes major research events, including the Intersections Research Conference. Prior to this role, De Cola held positions such as senior designer for Hickok Cole Architects, leading research initiatives and grant proposals, and graphic designer at Gensler, specializing in marketing collateral. De Cola's background also includes roles in production design, mobile design, and graphic design at various firms, contributing to publications and projects emphasizing architecture and design. De Cola holds an MFA in Graphic Design from the Academy of Art University and a bachelor's degree in Fine Art/Photography from the University of California, Santa Cruz.