Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences & Ellison Chair in International Floriculture
Charlie Hall grew up immersed in the nursery industry in western North Carolina and brings decades of expertise in the production and marketing of green industry crops. A nationally recognized economist and educator, he serves as a professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University and holds the Ellison Chair in International Floriculture. His work emphasizes innovative management and marketing strategies, financial analysis, and benchmarking within the nursery and greenhouse sectors. Hall frequently speaks at regional, national, and international industry meetings and has been honored as a lifetime member of both the Texas and Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Associations for his outstanding service.

Regents Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health; Director, Center for Health & Nature; Chair, Nature and Health Alliance
Jay Maddock, Ph.D., is a Regents Professor at Texas A&M University, Director of the Center for Health & Nature and Chair of the Nature and Health Alliance. Previously, he was Dean of the School of Public Health and Chief Wellness Officer at TAMU, and Director and Chair of the University of Hawaii Public Health Program. Maddock is internationally recognized for his research on health behavior and social-ecological approaches to increasing physical activity and time spent in nature. He has authored over 170 scientific articles, secured more than $20 million in extramural funding, and received numerous awards from the American Public Health Association, the Surgeon General, and the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Director of Prevention & Population Health, University Health Services, Texas A&M University
Zienna Blackwell, leads prevention and population health at Texas A&M University Health Services, bringing decades of public health nursing leadership to campus wellness. She oversees signature programs including the Howdy Health Fair, Aggie Peer Connect, From Cart to Plate Grocery Store Tours, annual Vaccine Clinics, and Von’s Vision, providing free eye exams and glasses to students. Dr. Blackwell integrates prevention, health promotion, and community partnership to ensure that all who live, learn, work, and play at Texas A&M have access to resources that support optimal health and lasting wellness.

Environmental Economics, Texas A&M University
Li Liqing, Ph.D., applies environmental economics to measure the social, health, and economic benefits of nature. Her research evaluates urban green spaces, parks, and community gardens, guiding policy for healthier, equitable, and sustainable communities. Projects such as New York City’s Million Tree Initiative and Midwestern grassland restoration programs highlight the co-benefits of nature. Through PNHI, Dr. Li advances cross-disciplinary projects linking nature to public health, environmental equity, and economic sustainability, providing evidence for green infrastructure, chronic disease prevention, and resilient communities.

Program Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Michael L. Lopez, Ph.D., leads statewide initiatives in physical activity and community health at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. He directs Walk Across Texas! and Walk Through Texas History, team-based programs combining physical activity with learning and outreach. He co-leads the Texas Active Policy Research and Engagement Network (TAPREN), promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration to design healthier communities. Dr. Lopez bridges research, practice, and outreach, emphasizing the integration of physical activity, the built environment, and access to nature to support community wellness.

Senior Extension Program Specialist & Director, International Junior Master Gardener Program, Texas A&M University
Lisa Whittlesey directs the International Junior Master Gardener Program, expanding it to all 50 U.S. states and 10 countries to integrate gardening, nutrition, and physical activity into youth education. Her initiatives, including Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go and the Growing Good Kids Book Awards, have improved health outcomes, increased academic confidence, and strengthened family engagement. Lisa collaborates internationally to adapt curricula across diverse communities, advancing garden-based learning as a tool for education, health, and lifelong well-being.

Early Childhood Education & Nature-Based Learning, Texas A&M University
Arianna Pikus, Ph.D., is a leader in early childhood education and nature-based learning, focusing on the academic, social-emotional, and health benefits of outdoor experiences. She equips educators to integrate hands-on exploration and reflective outdoor practices into classrooms, fostering curiosity, resilience, and environmental awareness in young learners. Dr. Pikus also promotes teacher wellness, addressing burnout and workforce challenges through restorative experiences in nature. Her inclusive approach ensures that outdoor learning is accessible across urban and rural settings, shaping future educators to view nature as an essential tool for learning and development.

Early Childhood Education, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Jodi Nerren, Ph.D., advances early childhood education by integrating outdoor and nature play into child development and lifelong wellness. She leads the Promoting Early Education Quality Initiative, equipping educators with strategies across cognitive, language, physical, and social domains. She develops programs such as Texas Healthy Building Blocks and Nature Play for Tiny Texans, which incorporate gardens, natural play materials, and green spaces to foster healthier environments. Dr. Nerren collaborates with families, educators, and health professionals to strengthen early childhood programs while supporting teacher well-being.

Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Health, Texas A&M University
Xuan Wu, Ph.D., integrates horticulture, health, and inclusion in her work at Texas A&M University. She founded the Horticultural Options in Plain Senses (HOPS) program, offering hands-on horticultural activities for individuals with disabilities. Her initiatives span horticultural therapy and therapeutic horticulture, promoting wellness, sensory engagement, and confidence-building through nature-based experiences. Dr. Wu also develops programs for youth, adults with special needs, and underserved communities, addressing “plant blindness” and highlighting the physical, emotional, and social benefits of interacting with plants.

Associate Professor of Percussion Inter-Arts Performance, Texas A&M University
Lynn Vartan is a Grammy-nominated percussionist and educator who merges music, culture, and health. She leads the PNHI-funded Sound Immersion Study, exploring virtual nature exposure combined with music therapy using specialized instruments tuned to A432 Hz. Ms. Vartan has created international interdisciplinary projects addressing climate change, resilience, memory, and empathy. Through teaching and performance worldwide, she demonstrates how sound and nature together can foster healing, connection, and awareness.