Our Mission Is To Improve Health And Well-Being Through Research, Education And Community Engagement
Welcome to the Movement and Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory (MPAE) at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)!
I am committed to excelling in research, teaching, and service to contribute meaningfully to the communities of research and practice. Having earned my Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a minor in experimental statistics from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2011, I embarked on a tenure-track position as an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation at the University of North Texas (UNT) in 2013. In 2018, my lab found a new home at UTA.
As a researcher in Kinesiology, my focus is on understanding human movement, encompassing physical activity and motor performance, and exploring its impact on overall health and well-being.
The key themes of my research agenda include:
- Investigating behavioral and psychosocial health outcomes through a social-ecological lens;
- Leveraging technology to promote physical activity, neuromotor performance, and mental health in clinical and community settings; and
- Conducting secondary analyses of existing data sets (e.g., the NIH Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development [ABCD] study, NHANES National Youth Fitness Survey) to address public health challenges and identify pathways for physical activity interventions.
My recent research accomplishments involve publishing numerous research papers, delivering scholarly presentations, securing grant funding, and mentoring graduate students in impactful research projects. With over 140 presentations at national and international conferences and more than 75 peer-reviewed journal articles, I have built a national reputation in my area of expertise. Actively involving both undergraduate and graduate students in research is crucial in a Tier-1 research-intensive institution. My mentored students have consistently received recognition/awards from national or regional professional organizations, highlighting their contributions to the field.
Our lab is not only academically driven but also community-oriented. We actively engage with local communities, establishing robust research networks that create opportunities for community-based physical activity and health promotion, especially with underserved and vulnerable populations.
Looking ahead, my research agenda aims to document behavioral health and societal benefits while evaluating intervention strategies for promoting physical activity and addressing health disparities. In alignment with UTA’s strategic plan for 2025, I am committed to seeking external funding, publishing and presenting work that brings recognition to UTA, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting students’ scholarly development, and mentoring junior faculty.
Join us on this exciting journey as we strive to make impactful contributions to the field of Movement and Physical Activity Epidemiology.