Research Faculty | Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness

Faculty Member	Affiliation	Research Specialties	Profile Link
Bryan Belcher, MPH Director, Interprofessional Clinic Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness	Research Fellow	Interprofessional Education Rural Health Community-based practice	Profile
Emily Lakey, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Communication Sciences and Disorders	Research Fellow	Autism Early Intervention Preschool Language Disorders Interprofessional Practice Service Delivery Models in Speech-Language Pathology	Profile
Gary McCullough, Ph.D. Professor Department of Rehabilitation Sciences	Research Fellow	Adult swallowing and voice disorders Adult neurogenic disorders Interprofessional research and education development Rural health education Research and development	Profile
Jennifer Schroeder Tyson, MPH Lecturer Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Fellow	Public Health Practice Maternal and Child Health Public Health Preparedness Emergency Management Social Epidemiology	Profile
Leah Hamilton, Ph.D. Professor Social Work	Research Fellow	Public Policy Asset Development Economic Justice Universal Basic Income	Profile
Maggie Sugg, Ph.D. Associate Professor Geography and Planning	Research Fellow	Patiotemporal patterns of environmental health illnesses and how these patterns relate to environmental, socioeconomic, and climatic determinants	Profile
Martie Thompson, Ph.D. Blue Cross NC Distinguished Endowed Professor App Well Institute Director of Community Research Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Fellow	Risk factors and consequences of violence Risk factors for suicidal behavior Substance abuse and mental health services	Profile
Shenghui Wu, Ph.D. Associate Professor Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Fellow	Epidemiology in the evaluation of lifestyle (especially diet, physical activity, smoking, and obesity), biomarkers, and other factors for cancer and other diseases in populations Evidence-based medicine especially meta-analysis	Profile
Adam Hege, Ph.D. Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Education Associate Professor Beaver College of Health Sciences	Research Associate	Health disparities and the social and environmental determinants of health Rural health	Profile
Alan Needle, Ph.D. Professor Injury Neuromechanics Laboratory Director Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Associate	Neuromechanical implications of joint injuries Impact of attention and cognition on joint stability Central nervous system adaptations to training and rehabilitation Data processing & analysis in exercise science & sports medicine	Profile
Amanda Hege Lecturer Dietetic Internship Coordinator Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Associate	Policy, systems, and environmental approaches that promote healthy, local food access within rural communities Innovative text-message health education programs Engaging students in sustainability, food systems, and leadership opportunities Promoting health equity within the local food system	Profile
Andrew Koricich, Ph.D. Associate Professor Counseling, Family Therapy and Higher Education	Research Associate	Rural and rural-serving postsecondary institutions Postsecondary education access, pathways, and outcomes of rural populations Community effects on education decisions Large-scale, quantitative data analysis	Profile
Annette Ward, MS Senior Lecturer Social Work	Research Associate	Screening for Substance Abuse	Profile
Caroline Smith, Ph.D. Associate Professor Director, Thermal and Microvascular Physiology Laboratory Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Associate	Utilizing novel approaches, including microdialysis and laser Doppler flowmetry, for assessing dermal carcinogen absorption and elucidating key factors modulating absorption during occupational exposure in firefighters Understanding carcinogen exposure routes is of fundamental importance in various occupational settings to inform risk mitigation strategies and improve long term health outcomes	Profile
Dave Williams, Ph.D. Professor Health Care Management	Research Associate	Biopharmaceutical & healthcare IPOs Economic amalgamation in healthcare Mergers & acquisitions in healthcare Real option reasoning	Profile
David Russel, Ph.D. Associate Professor Sociology	Research Associate	Medical Sociology Aging & the Life Course Sociology of Stress and Mental Health Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods	Profile
Jared Skinner, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Associate	Enhancing the quality of life in older and diseased populations through physical rehabilitation and neurorestoration Biomechanical analysis of gait and activities of daily living Neural control of movement Clinical symptoms and treatment of movement disorders	Profile
Jennifer Kurtz, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Associate	Physiological assessments to nutritional interventions Impact of nutrient timing and ergogenic aids in applied sports performance and recovery Preventative nutrition approaches Hormonal influence on metabolism and performance Resistance training and high-intensity interval training	Profile
Jill Juris, Ph.D. Associate Professor Recreation Management and Physical Education	Research Associate	Intergenerational programming Community-based programs for older adults University and community partnerships	Profile
Jordan Hazelwood, Ph.D. Associate Professor Communication Sciences and Disorders	Research Associate	Swallowing and swallowing disorders in adults Physiologic measures of swallowing Patient-reported outcome measures and quality of life Voice and resonance disorders Interprofessional education Clinical research ethics	Profile
Kim McCullough, Ph.D. Professor, Speech-Language Pathology Communication Sciences and Disorders	Research Associate	Adult neurogenic communication disorders Mild cognitive impairment & dementia Aging and cognitive-communicative decline in rural populations Interprofessional education	Profile
Laurel Wentz, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Associate	Sports nutrition to improve performance for athletes and military service members	Profile
Manan Roy, Ph.D. Associate Professor Health Care Management	Research Associate	Assessing the differential mobility of racial groups across the food insecurity spectrum Effects of low health literacy and adverse childhood events on health behavior and food insecurity Cognitive and non-cognitive factors to adult health and socio-economic outcomes	Profile
Rebecca Kappus, Ph.D. Associate Professor Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Associate	Cardiovascular disease prevention in high risk populations Sex differences and effects of aging on cardiovascular function Exercise and endothelial function Oxidative stress and disease	Profile
Sydeena Isaacs, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Associate	Understanding and reducing barriers to access and utilization of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in rural Appalachian North Carolina	Profile
Tandrea Carter, Ph.D. Director of Counseling for Faculty and Staff Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness	Research Associate	Public Health Issues HIV Prevention and Support	Profile
Trent Spaulding, Ph.D. Associate Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Associate	Effects of IT adoption in the healthcare industry Performance effects of the automation of business processes Patterns of adoption and automation Integration of information systems Economics and efficiency of online auctions; thin markets; collectables; automated data collection using Internet enabled software agents	Profile
Ashley Parks, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Affiliate	Healthcare quality topics such as patient experience in long term care settings Performance improvement Healthcare workforce preparation and mentorship Mental health Information technology Telehealth Healthcare administration workforce development, professional preparation, mentorship, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)	Profile
Becky Battista, Ph.D. Professor Director, Dept of Public Health and Exercise Science Public Health and Exercise Science Office of Student Research	Research Affiliate	Physical activity and children and youth Improving motor development to increase physical activity in children Youth sports Physical characteristics of college athletes across a competitive career	Profile
Ben Alexander-Eitzman, Ph.D. Associate Professor Social Work	Research Affiliate	Adult homelessness & substance abuse Crisis assessment and intervention Spatial & longitudinal research Bayesian methods Systems science and complex service systems	Profile
Bob Kowalsky, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Affiliate	Behavioral lifestyle interventions to prevent and treat cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal diseases The impact of prolonged sedentary behavior on cardiovascular, metabolic, and musculoskeletal outcomes and strategies such as standing and physical activity to improve outcomes Sedentary behavior research methods Sedentary behavior & lifestyle interventions targeting underserved populations including those with disabilities	Profile
Brian Whitaker, Ph.D. Associate Professor Management	Research Affiliate	Feedback in organizations Ethics in the workplace Employees selection
Brook Harmon, Ph.D. Associate Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Affiliate	Community-based participatory research (particularly with faith-based partners) Nutrition and physical activity behavior change Obesity and chronic disease prevention Influence of health messaging and social networks on diet and physical activity practices	Profile
Christopher Osmond, Ph.D. Associate Professor Leadership and Educational Studies	Research Affiliate	Curriculum theory Arts-based, autobiographical, resolutely qualitative approaches to issues Social foundations of education to undergraduates Preparation of caring professionals for long, thriving careers, especially teachers	Profile
Daniel Theriault, Ph.D. Associate Professor Director, Recreation Management program Recreation Management and Physical Education	Research Affiliate	Leisure history Social justice Youth development Power Resistance	Profile
Danielle Nunnery, Ph.D. Associate Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Affiliate	How nutrition knowledge and access to resources translates into behavior in the perinatal period Examining life course theory and how stressors and environment impact nutrition intake and therefore health outcomes for mother and baby	Profile
Denise Levy, Ph.D. Professor Social Work	Research Affiliate	How LGBTQ individuals with a Christian upbringing resolve conflict between sexual/gender identity and religious beliefs	Profile
Gavin Colquitt, Ed.D. Executive Director, Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness Professor Recreation Management and Physical Education	Research Affiliate	Adaptive physical education in children with cerebral palsy	Profile
George Wolford Assistant Professor Rehabilitation Sciences	Research Affiliate	Clinical education Autism Preschool language disorders Structural analysis / language sample analysis Gesture	Profile
Gregory Marler, DNP, ACNP, RN Assistant Professor Nursing	Research Affiliate	Simulation-based learning Innovative nursing educational strategies Bias surrounding persons living with obesity	Profile
Heather Schier, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Affiliate	Intersections between nutrition policy and health equity Nutrition-related lived experiences and dietary behaviors of transgender and gender-diverse youth and young adults Gender inclusive teaching and research methodologies	Profile
Jennifer Howard, Ph.D. Associate Professor Director, Master of Athletic Training program Rehabilitation Sciences	Research Affiliate	Assessment of Function and Health-Related Quality of Life Clinical Applications of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Articular Cartilage Repair and Restoration	Profile
Jennifer Runkle, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor App State University Research Scholar Geography and Planning North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University	Research Affiliate	Examining the effects of environmental exposures on human health with a particular focus on vulnerable populations and identifying community-level pathways to resilience	Profile
Joy James, Ph.D. Professor Recreation Management and Physical Education	Research Affiliate	Children in the outdoors Learning in non-formal educational settings: outdoor, adventure, experiential and interpretation Natural and cultural interpretation Environmental socialization Healthy lifestyles/children Formative evaluation in non-formal educational settings Human dimensions of natural resources	Profile
Julie Sakowski, Ph.D. Associate Professor Health Care Management	Research Affiliate	Health care delivery process improvement and the value of process redesign Estimating the costs of complex health services delivery activities that span multiple departments Implementation, optimization and outcomes of health services delivery innovations	Profile
Kelly Renwick, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Interdisciplinary Studies	Research Affiliate	Social support, mental health, mortality Influence of psychosocial factors on hospital stay	Profile
Kevin Zwetsloot, Ph.D. Associate Professor Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Affiliate	Mechanisms responsible for sarcopenia (the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength) Exercise interventions for the treatment/prevention of sarcopenia Mechanisms responsible for skeletal muscle recovery and regeneration after injury The role inflammation plays in muscle atrophy, as well as during recovery and regeneration after injury	Profile
Marco Meucci, Ph.D. Associate Professor Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Affiliate	Arterial stiffness and in overweight and normal weight children and adolescents The association between physical fitness and cardiovascular health in overweight and normal weight children Investigate new ways to assess children’s health in a fast, accurate and practical way Investigate the effects of play-based physical activity on cardiovascular health and cardiorespiratory fitness Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to exercise in athletic and sedentary children and adults	Profile
Melinda Bogardus, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Nursing	Research Affiliate	Nutritional interventions on physical and mental health	Profile
Melissa Gutschall, Ph.D. Associate Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Research Affiliate	Theory-based nutrition education programs for behavior change and maintenance among rural dwelling patients	Profile
Richard Christiana, Ph.D. Associate Professor HOPE Lab Co-Director Director, Master of Public Health program Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Affiliate	Promotion of rural children's outdoor play and physical activity Lifelong maintenance of physical activity Community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches in rural areas	Profile
A. Kyle Wilson, MD, MPH Associate Program Director, MAHEC Boone Family Medicine Residency Program Watauga Medical Center	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Rural health Education and mentoring of future family medicine physicians	Profile
Benjamin Parker, MD AppORTHO Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction Brachial plexus nerve injury following interscalene blocks for shoulder surgery Arthroscopy techniques in patients with mediscal injuries Subacromial vs. intramuscular injection of ketorolac for shoulder impingement syndrome	Profile
Cynthia Anderson, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Applied Behavior Analysis & Director National Autism Center The May Institute Research Professor, Institute for Health & Human Services Licensed psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Autism, neurodiversity, and related disorders	Profile
Deeanna Burleson, Ph.D., RN, IMC Owner and CEO, Full Spectrum Solutions	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Creating cultures of well-being through organizational development and systems science approaches. Research initiatives include mixed methods, action research and cross discipline approaches.	Profile
Kellie Reed Ashcraft, Ph.D.	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Adverse childhood experiences Child welfare workforce issues Family support/family preservation Latino health Social Welfare Policy Needs assessment Community-based participatory research Rural practice	Profile
Kevin Henson, DNP Senior Director, Surgical & Anesthesia Services, UNC Health Appalachian	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Best practices in pain management and the delivery of anesthesia during surgical procedures
Khurram Tariq, MD, FACP Director of Oncology & Research Seby Jones Cancer Center, UNC Health Appalachian Research Professor, Institute for Health & Human Services	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Cancer Medical Oncology	Profile
Martin Root, Ph.D. Associate Professor Nutrition and Health Care Management	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Diet and chronic diseases Apple phytochemicals Nutritional biomarkers Nutritional epidemiology	Profile
Matt Hudson-Flege, Ph.D. Executive Director, Upstate Greenways & Trails Alliance	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Sexual violence prevention in adolescence and college students AmeriCorps programming and service project development	Profile
Molly Benedum, MD Program Director, Family Medicine Residency, UNC Health Appalachian	Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate	Best practices in mentoring and educating future physicians and healthcare professionals	Profile

Bryan Belcher, MPH
Director, Interprofessional Clinic

Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness

Research Fellow

Interprofessional Education
Rural Health
Community-based practice

Profile

Emily Lakey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Research Fellow

Autism
Early Intervention
Preschool Language Disorders
Interprofessional Practice
Service Delivery Models in Speech-Language Pathology

Profile

Gary McCullough, Ph.D.
Professor

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Fellow

Adult swallowing and voice disorders
Adult neurogenic disorders
Interprofessional research and education development
Rural health education
Research and development

Profile

Jennifer Schroeder Tyson, MPH
Lecturer

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Fellow

Public Health Practice
Maternal and Child Health
Public Health Preparedness
Emergency Management
Social Epidemiology

Profile

Leah Hamilton, Ph.D.
Professor

Social Work

Research Fellow

Public Policy
Asset Development
Economic Justice
Universal Basic Income

Profile

Maggie Sugg, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Geography and Planning

Research Fellow

Patiotemporal patterns of environmental health illnesses and how these patterns relate to environmental, socioeconomic, and climatic determinants

Profile

Martie Thompson, Ph.D.
Blue Cross NC Distinguished Endowed Professor
App Well Institute Director of Community Research

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Fellow

Risk factors and consequences of violence
Risk factors for suicidal behavior
Substance abuse and mental health services

Profile

Shenghui Wu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Fellow

Epidemiology in the evaluation of lifestyle (especially diet, physical activity, smoking, and obesity), biomarkers, and other factors for cancer and other diseases in populations
Evidence-based medicine especially meta-analysis

Profile

Adam Hege, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Education
Associate Professor

Beaver College of Health Sciences

Research Associate

Health disparities and the social and environmental determinants of health
Rural health

Profile

Alan Needle, Ph.D.
Professor
Injury Neuromechanics Laboratory Director

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Associate

Neuromechanical implications of joint injuries
Impact of attention and cognition on joint stability
Central nervous system adaptations to training and rehabilitation
Data processing & analysis in exercise science & sports medicine

Profile

Amanda Hege
Lecturer
Dietetic Internship Coordinator

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Associate

Policy, systems, and environmental approaches that promote healthy, local food access within rural communities
Innovative text-message health education programs
Engaging students in sustainability, food systems, and leadership opportunities
Promoting health equity within the local food system

Profile

Andrew Koricich, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Counseling, Family Therapy and Higher Education

Research Associate

Rural and rural-serving postsecondary institutions
Postsecondary education access, pathways, and outcomes of rural populations
Community effects on education decisions
Large-scale, quantitative data analysis

Profile

Annette Ward, MS
Senior Lecturer

Social Work

Research Associate

Screening for Substance Abuse

Profile

Caroline Smith, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Thermal and Microvascular Physiology Laboratory

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Associate

Utilizing novel approaches, including microdialysis and laser Doppler flowmetry, for assessing dermal carcinogen absorption and elucidating key factors modulating absorption during occupational exposure in firefighters
Understanding carcinogen exposure routes is of fundamental importance in various occupational settings to inform risk mitigation strategies and improve long term health outcomes

Profile

Dave Williams, Ph.D.
Professor

Health Care Management

Research Associate

Biopharmaceutical & healthcare IPOs
Economic amalgamation in healthcare
Mergers & acquisitions in healthcare
Real option reasoning

Profile

David Russel, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Sociology

Research Associate

Medical Sociology
Aging & the Life Course
Sociology of Stress and Mental Health
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods

Profile

Jared Skinner, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Associate

Enhancing the quality of life in older and diseased populations through physical rehabilitation and neurorestoration
Biomechanical analysis of gait and activities of daily living
Neural control of movement
Clinical symptoms and treatment of movement disorders

Profile

Jennifer Kurtz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Associate

Physiological assessments to nutritional interventions
Impact of nutrient timing and ergogenic aids in applied sports performance and recovery
Preventative nutrition approaches
Hormonal influence on metabolism and performance
Resistance training and high-intensity interval training

Profile

Jill Juris, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Recreation Management and Physical Education

Research Associate

Intergenerational programming
Community-based programs for older adults
University and community partnerships

Profile

Jordan Hazelwood, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Research Associate

Swallowing and swallowing disorders in adults
Physiologic measures of swallowing
Patient-reported outcome measures and quality of life
Voice and resonance disorders
Interprofessional education
Clinical research ethics

Profile

Kim McCullough, Ph.D.
Professor, Speech-Language Pathology

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Research Associate

Adult neurogenic communication disorders
Mild cognitive impairment & dementia
Aging and cognitive-communicative decline in rural populations
Interprofessional education

Profile

Laurel Wentz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Associate

Sports nutrition to improve performance for athletes and military service members

Profile

Manan Roy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Health Care Management

Research Associate

Assessing the differential mobility of racial groups across the food insecurity spectrum
Effects of low health literacy and adverse childhood events on health behavior and food insecurity
Cognitive and non-cognitive factors to adult health and socio-economic outcomes

Profile

Rebecca Kappus, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Associate

Cardiovascular disease prevention in high risk populations
Sex differences and effects of aging on cardiovascular function
Exercise and endothelial function
Oxidative stress and disease

Profile

Sydeena Isaacs, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Associate

Understanding and reducing barriers to access and utilization of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in rural Appalachian North Carolina

Profile

Tandrea Carter, Ph.D.
Director of Counseling for Faculty and Staff

Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness

Research Associate

Public Health Issues
HIV Prevention and Support

Profile

Trent Spaulding, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Associate

Effects of IT adoption in the healthcare industry
Performance effects of the automation of business processes
Patterns of adoption and automation
Integration of information systems
Economics and efficiency of online auctions; thin markets; collectables; automated data collection using Internet enabled software agents

Profile

Ashley Parks, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Affiliate

Healthcare quality topics such as patient experience in long term care settings
Performance improvement
Healthcare workforce preparation and mentorship
Mental health
Information technology
Telehealth
Healthcare administration workforce development, professional preparation, mentorship, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)

Profile

Becky Battista, Ph.D.
Professor
Director, Dept of Public Health and Exercise Science

Public Health and Exercise Science
Office of Student Research

Research Affiliate

Physical activity and children and youth
Improving motor development to increase physical activity in children
Youth sports
Physical characteristics of college athletes across a competitive career

Profile

Ben Alexander-Eitzman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Social Work

Research Affiliate

Adult homelessness & substance abuse
Crisis assessment and intervention
Spatial & longitudinal research
Bayesian methods
Systems science and complex service systems

Profile

Bob Kowalsky, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Affiliate

Behavioral lifestyle interventions to prevent and treat cardiometabolic and musculoskeletal diseases
The impact of prolonged sedentary behavior on cardiovascular, metabolic, and musculoskeletal outcomes and strategies such as standing and physical activity to improve outcomes
Sedentary behavior research methods
Sedentary behavior & lifestyle interventions targeting underserved populations including those with disabilities

Profile

Brian Whitaker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Management

Research Affiliate

Feedback in organizations
Ethics in the workplace
Employees selection

Brook Harmon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Affiliate

Community-based participatory research (particularly with faith-based partners)
Nutrition and physical activity behavior change
Obesity and chronic disease prevention
Influence of health messaging and social networks on diet and physical activity practices

Profile

Christopher Osmond, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Leadership and Educational Studies

Research Affiliate

Curriculum theory
Arts-based, autobiographical, resolutely qualitative approaches to issues
Social foundations of education to undergraduates
Preparation of caring professionals for long, thriving careers, especially teachers

Profile

Daniel Theriault, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Recreation Management program

Recreation Management and Physical Education

Research Affiliate

Leisure history
Social justice
Youth development
Power
Resistance

Profile

Danielle Nunnery, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Affiliate

How nutrition knowledge and access to resources translates into behavior in the perinatal period
Examining life course theory and how stressors and environment impact nutrition intake and therefore health outcomes for mother and baby

Profile

Denise Levy, Ph.D.
Professor

Social Work

Research Affiliate

How LGBTQ individuals with a Christian upbringing resolve conflict between sexual/gender identity and religious beliefs

Profile

Gavin Colquitt, Ed.D.
Executive Director, Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness
Professor

Recreation Management and Physical Education

Research Affiliate

Adaptive physical education in children with cerebral palsy

Profile

George Wolford
Assistant Professor

Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Affiliate

Clinical education
Autism
Preschool language disorders
Structural analysis / language sample analysis
Gesture

Profile

Gregory Marler, DNP, ACNP, RN
Assistant Professor

Nursing

Research Affiliate

Simulation-based learning
Innovative nursing educational strategies
Bias surrounding persons living with obesity

Profile

Heather Schier, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Affiliate

Intersections between nutrition policy and health equity
Nutrition-related lived experiences and dietary behaviors of transgender and gender-diverse youth and young adults
Gender inclusive teaching and research methodologies

Profile

Jennifer Howard, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, Master of Athletic Training program

Rehabilitation Sciences

Research Affiliate

Assessment of Function and Health-Related Quality of Life
Clinical Applications of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
Articular Cartilage Repair and Restoration

Profile

Jennifer Runkle, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor
App State University Research Scholar

Geography and Planning
North Carolina Institute for Climate Studies, North Carolina State University

Research Affiliate

Examining the effects of environmental exposures on human health with a particular focus on vulnerable populations and identifying community-level pathways to resilience

Profile

Joy James, Ph.D.
Professor

Recreation Management and Physical Education

Research Affiliate

Children in the outdoors
Learning in non-formal educational settings: outdoor, adventure, experiential and interpretation
Natural and cultural interpretation
Environmental socialization
Healthy lifestyles/children
Formative evaluation in non-formal educational settings
Human dimensions of natural resources

Profile

Julie Sakowski, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Health Care Management

Research Affiliate

Health care delivery process improvement and the value of process redesign
Estimating the costs of complex health services delivery activities that span multiple departments
Implementation, optimization and outcomes of health services delivery innovations

Profile

Kelly Renwick, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Interdisciplinary Studies

Research Affiliate

Social support, mental health, mortality
Influence of psychosocial factors on hospital stay

Profile

Kevin Zwetsloot, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Affiliate

Mechanisms responsible for sarcopenia (the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength)
Exercise interventions for the treatment/prevention of sarcopenia
Mechanisms responsible for skeletal muscle recovery and regeneration after injury
The role inflammation plays in muscle atrophy, as well as during recovery and regeneration after injury

Profile

Marco Meucci, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Affiliate

Arterial stiffness and in overweight and normal weight children and adolescents
The association between physical fitness and cardiovascular health in overweight and normal weight children
Investigate new ways to assess children’s health in a fast, accurate and practical way
Investigate the effects of play-based physical activity on cardiovascular health and cardiorespiratory fitness
Cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses to exercise in athletic and sedentary children and adults

Profile

Melinda Bogardus, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Nursing

Research Affiliate

Nutritional interventions on physical and mental health

Profile

Melissa Gutschall, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Research Affiliate

Theory-based nutrition education programs for behavior change and maintenance among rural dwelling patients

Profile

Richard Christiana, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
HOPE Lab Co-Director
Director, Master of Public Health program

Public Health and Exercise Science

Research Affiliate

Promotion of rural children's outdoor play and physical activity
Lifelong maintenance of physical activity
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches in rural areas

Profile

A. Kyle Wilson, MD, MPH
Associate Program Director, MAHEC Boone Family Medicine Residency Program Watauga Medical Center

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Rural health
Education and mentoring of future family medicine physicians

Profile

Benjamin Parker, MD
AppORTHO Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction
Brachial plexus nerve injury following interscalene blocks for shoulder surgery
Arthroscopy techniques in patients with mediscal injuries
Subacromial vs. intramuscular injection of ketorolac for shoulder impingement syndrome

Profile

Cynthia Anderson, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President of Applied Behavior Analysis & Director National Autism Center
The May Institute Research Professor, Institute for Health & Human Services
Licensed psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Autism, neurodiversity, and related disorders

Profile

Deeanna Burleson, Ph.D., RN, IMC
Owner and CEO, Full Spectrum Solutions

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Creating cultures of well-being through organizational development and systems science approaches. Research initiatives include mixed methods, action research and cross discipline approaches.

Profile

Kellie Reed Ashcraft, Ph.D.

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Adverse childhood experiences
Child welfare workforce issues
Family support/family preservation
Latino health
Social Welfare Policy
Needs assessment
Community-based participatory research
Rural practice

Profile

Kevin Henson, DNP
Senior Director, Surgical & Anesthesia Services, UNC Health Appalachian

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Best practices in pain management and the delivery of anesthesia during surgical procedures

Khurram Tariq, MD, FACP
Director of Oncology & Research Seby Jones Cancer Center, UNC Health Appalachian
Research Professor, Institute for Health & Human Services

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Cancer
Medical Oncology

Profile

Martin Root, Ph.D.
Associate Professor

Nutrition and Health Care Management

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Diet and chronic diseases
Apple phytochemicals
Nutritional biomarkers
Nutritional epidemiology

Profile

Matt Hudson-Flege, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Upstate Greenways & Trails Alliance

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Sexual violence prevention in adolescence and college students
AmeriCorps programming and service project development

Profile

Molly Benedum, MD
Program Director, Family Medicine Residency, UNC Health Appalachian

Community Clinical Research Faculty Affiliate

Best practices in mentoring and educating future physicians and healthcare professionals

Profile