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Don Rakow, PhD, CNRx Co-Director
Don Rakow, PhD, CNRx Co-Director
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.
Dorothy Ibes, PhD, CNRx Co-Director
Dorothy Ibes, PhD, CNRx Co-Director
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.
Margot Vanyan, CNRx Program Manager
Margot Vanyan, CNRx Program Manager
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.
Mia Parrott, Assistant Director PERL
Mia Parrott, Assistant Director PERL
Mia will graduate in May 2025 with a Bachelor's Degree in Environment & Sustainability and Philosophy from William & Mary, with a concentration in Environmental Policy. Alongside her role at the Parks & Ecotherapy Research Lab (PERL), she volunteers as the USA EcoAction Tour Creator at GoGreenLocally, promoting grassroots sustainability initiatives. Mia also works in Marketing at the William & Mary Alumni Association. She led the Campus Tranquility Initiative, a project designed to support student wellbeing by offering meditations in the noisiest areas of campus, helping W&M students manage the impact of construction noise. Her broader interests include mindfulness in nature and advocating for equitable greenspace access.
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