Jayne Zajicek

Professional Summary

Dr. Zajicek’s research focuses on people-plant interactions, bringing together the disciplines of horticulture, educational psychology, agricultural education, sociology, elementary and secondary education, and environmental education. Key research projects in her program are investigating the benefits of school gardens on various emotional, physical, and psychological characteristics of children and youth-at-risk. Other research populations include prison inmates, the elderly, and the disabled.

As the science of people-plant research expands, more and more opportunities for graduates in this area are becoming available. Dr. Zajicek is a Member of the Graduate Faculty of Texas A&M University, and can serve as a Chair, Co-chair or Member of Graduate Student Advising Committees.

Dr. Zajicek currently has 2 graduate students working on MS and PhD degrees. “Graduate students are the life and inspiration of a research program. I try to give the students in my program the guidance that they need, but at the same time, allow them the freedom to develop the confidence and skills necessary to continue to make significant contributions in the area of people-plant interactions once they graduate from Texas A&M University.”