Matt studies how exposure to natural environments improves human health and well-being. His current research ties greenness around nursing homes to lower rates of depression and anxiety, greenness around schools to higher standardized test scores, and greenness around homes to lower health care spending. As the director of the Virtual Reality and Nature Lab, he is also studying the extent to which simulated nature exposure replicates the benefits of being outdoors in natural environments. He was trained in environmental studies and forestry sciences at both Yale University and Virginia Tech.