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CNRx Co-Director
CNRx Co-Director
Don Rakow, PhD
Don Rakow, PhD
Dr. Don Rakow joined the Cornell faculty in 1987 and served as an associate professor in the Section of Horticulture in Cornell University’s School of Integrative Plant Science. Rakow also served as the Elizabeth Newman Wilds Director of Cornell Botanic Gardens (formerly Cornell Plantations) from 1996–2013, and as Plantations’ associate director from 1993 to 1995. He continues to be actively involved in teaching, speaking, research, and undergraduate and graduate advising. Rakow created and co-directs the Cornell Graduate Program in Public Garden Leadership, his research includes a focus on the impact of time in nature on human health and behavior, and is also the co-author of Nature Rx: Improving College Student Mental Health.
CNRx Co-Director
CNRx Co-Director
Dorothy Ibes, PhD
Dorothy Ibes, PhD
Dr. Ibes is faculty in William & Mary's Environment & Sustainability program, founding director of the Parks & Ecotherapy Research Lab, co-director of the Campus Nature Rx Network (Est. 2019), and a certified ecotherapy guide. As an human-environment geographer, Ibes's research, teaching, outreach, and ecotherapy work aims to forge mutually-beneficial human-nature relationships and promote mental health and environmental stewardship through deep nature connection. She teaches courses including “The Science & Experience of Ecotherapy” and “Mapping for Community Nature Rx,” and her recent research includes: Campus Nature Rx: How investing in nature interventions benefits college students, The role of campus greenspace and meditation on college students’ mood, Barriers to nature engagement by youth of color, and Greenspace ecotherapy interventions: The stress-reduction potential of green micro-breaks integrating nature connection and mind-body skills.
CNRx Program Manager
CNRx Program Manager
Margot Vanyan
Margot Vanyan
Margot received her Bachelor's Degree in Government and Environmental Policy from William & Mary. A former student of Dr. Ibes', she served as the Outreach and Communications Coordinator for the Parks & Ecotherapy Research Lab from 2020 to 2022. In addition to CNRx, Margot also works in Career Services at the UCLA School of Law.
CNRx Program Coordinator
CNRx Program Coordinator
Iresha Jayasinghe, PhD
Iresha Jayasinghe, PhD
Dr. Jayasinghe earned her PhD in Environment and Natural Resources, with a specialization in Environmental Social Sciences, from The Ohio State University. Her research explores human–nature relationships, with a particular focus on how culture and immigration shape connection to nature and pro-environmental behaviors of international college students. She also investigates the barriers these students face in accessing nature-based opportunities and how campus initiatives can better support inclusive environmental engagement. In addition to her work with CNRx, Dr. Jayasinghe works as a Research Senior Technician at the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University.
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