Charles A. Lewis

Excellence in Research Award

About the Award

Charles A. Lewis began his HT career in the early 1960’s, when he served as a garden contest judge for New York City housing developments. Charles was a member of the NCTRH (now AHTA) Board of Directors during 1973-1975.


In 1996 he published a book Green Nature, Human Nature: The meaning of plants in our lives. Through his zeal and commitment throughout his career to better understand the relationship of people and plants, Charles became known as the "Father of Horticultural Therapy" . The first Charles A. Lewis Excellence in Research Award was presented at the 2007 Conference.

Established to honor Charles A. Lewis, a pioneer in the field of people-plant interaction.

  • Recognizes research scientists who have published horticultural therapy research in a horticultural or medical journal.
  • Encourages evidence-based research that demonstrates the effectiveness of horticultural therapy.
  • Increases the awareness of research-based findings supporting the health benefits offered through horticulture.

The Charles A. Lewis Excellence in Research Award is no longer awarded in the AHTA Annual Awards.

Past Winners

2025: Charles Guy, Raymond Odeh, Elizabeth Diehl, Jo Nixon, Craig Tisher, Dylan Klempner, Qian Li, Thomas Colquhoun, Qian Li, Maria J. Espinosa, Dianela Perdomo, Kaylee Rosario, Hannah Terzi. 

2024: none awarded

2023: none awarded

2022: Anne Meore, Shengnan Sun, Lauren Byma, Sharon Alter, Amanda Vitale, Evan Podolak, Brooke Gibbard, Toby Adams, James Boyer, Hanga Galfalvy, Rachel Yehuda, Ann Feder, Fatemeh Haghighi 

2021: Angelia Sia, Wilson Tam Wai San, Kua Ee Heok, Roger Ho

2020:Qiuyun Huang, Minyan Yang, Shuua Li, Hao-Ann Jane, Nicole Bauer. 

2019: Claudia K.Y.Lai, Connie Y.Y. Fung,Shirley K.Lo. Jordan K.H. Lau, Mimi M.Y. Tse

2018: Mashario Toyoda, Yuko Yokota, Susan Rodiek

2017: Jacquelin Swank, Shin

2016: none awarded

2015: Gregory Bratman, J.Paul Hamilton, Kevin Hahn, Gretchen C Daily, James J. Gross

2014: Sin-Ae Park

2013: Sin-Ae Park:

2012: Justin Wilson & Keith Christensen

2011: none awarded

2010: none awarded

2009: none awarded

2008: none awarded

2007: none awarded

2006: none awarded

2005: none awarded

2004: none awarded

2003: none awarded

2002: none awarded

2001: none awarded