Sara Jo Nixon, PhD and her research collaborators were awarded the 2023 Charles A. Lewis Excellence in Research Award from the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA). For their research study paper in PLoS ONE in 2022 entitled: “A pilot randomized controlled trial of group-based indoor gardening and art activities demonstrates therapeutic benefits to healthy women“.
This award is in honor of Charles A. Lewis, a pioneer in the field of people-plant interaction and innovative horticultural programs throughout the community. This award is given to research scientists who have published outstanding horticultural therapy research in a horticultural or medical journal. It recognizes contributions to evidence-based research that demonstrates the effectiveness of horticultural therapy and serves to increase the awareness of research-based findings supporting the health benefits offered through horticulture.
In addition to the award, the AHTA has invited them to present on the research study during the 2023 AHTA Annual Conference to be held at the end of the month.