PNHI Projects

Agrihoods: A Naturalistic Study of Residents of an Agriculturally Integrated Community  

The PNHI is proud to be apart of an ongoing multidisciplinary research project focused on agrihoods — innovative communities built around working farms that integrate agriculture, nature and healthy living. 

Our study centers on a community in Indigo, Texas — a vibrant agrihood located in Fort Bend County, just a short commute from downtown Houston. This community offers residents the unique opportunity to engage with sustainable food production, enjoy natural features like walking trails and ponds and connect socially, all in their own neighborhood.

This expert team brings together knowledge from health behavior, nutrition, social sciences, agricultural economics, environmental design and more. By combining focus groups and time-use surveys of current residents with a longitudinal study of new residents, we aim to provide evidence-based insights into how agrihoods support physical and mental well-being while fostering sustainable communities. 

Sanctuary Space: Improving College Student Wellness Through Music and VR Immersion

Led by Principal Investigator Lynn Vartan, Ph.D., and a diverse team including Jay Maddock, Ph.D., Courtney Suess, Ph.D., Charlie Hall, Ph.D., Arianna Pikus, Ph.D. and Zienna Blackwell, Ph.D., this project explores a novel approach to enhancing mental health on college campuses. 

Combining the therapeutic power of music, nature and virtual reality, Sanctuary Space aims to develop immersive wellness environments that offer students a calming retreat from academic stress. These spaces will provide students with accessible tools to manage anxiety, reconnect with nature and support their overall well-being. 

With the potential to scale across large universities, this project has the power to impact thousands of students and fill critical gaps in current mental health interventions. We look forward to seeing the impact of this innovative blend of technology and nature-based wellness.