Professor Nancy Wells and her interdisciplinary students in the Department of Human Centered Design at Cornell study the effects of the built and natural environment on human health and health behaviors. Research led by Dr. Wells has examined topics such as the effects of housing quality on mental health of low-income women who partnered with Habitat for Humanity; the influence of neighborhood design on physical activity; and the effects of nature access on cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, and resilience. Through her research partnerships Wells has also examined school gardens and their potential to affect both dietary intake and physical activity among children. Current research interests include the role of the natural environment in human resilience and the influence of nature exposure on the behavior and wellbeing of individuals with autism.
The Wells Lab integrates research, teaching and outreach. Research efforts involve the design of practical yet rigorous studies to assess causal relations between the environment and health; the development of valid and reliable measures; and, when possible, the identification of causal pathways. Teaching and mentorship involves undergraduates and graduate students engaged in all stages of the research process from data collection to publication. Findings are disseminated to stakeholders in an effort to contribute to evidence-based environments, policies, and decision-making.