Research Faculty

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
Leah Hamilton, Ph.D. Professor Social Work	Research Fellow	Public Policy Asset Development Economic Justice Universal Basic Income	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. Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education Professor Beaver College of Health Sciences	Research Fellow	Adult swallowing and voice disorders Adult neurogenic disorders Interprofessional research and education development Rural health education Research and development	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
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
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
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
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
Adam Hege, Ph.D. Associate Professor Public Health Program Director Public Health and Exercise Science	Research Associate	Health disparities and the social and environmental determinants of health Rural health	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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Annette Ward, MS Senior Lecturer Social Work	Research Associate	Screening for Substance Abuse	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
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
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
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
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
Melinda Bogardus, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Nursing	Research Affiliate	Nutritional interventions on physical and mental health	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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Gregory Marler, DNP, ACNP, RN Assistant Professor Nursing	Research Affiliate	Simulation-based learning Innovative nursing educational strategies Bias surrounding persons living with obesity	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
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
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
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
Kelly Renwick, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Interdisciplinary Studies	Research Affiliate	Social support, mental health, mortality Influence of psychosocial factors on hospital stay	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
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
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
Brian Whitaker, Ph.D. Associate Professor Management	Research Affiliate	Feedback in organizations Ethics in the workplace Employees selection
George Wolford Assistant Professor Rehabilitation Sciences	Research Affiliate	Clinical education Autism Preschool language disorders Structural analysis / language sample analysis Gesture	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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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

Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness

Research Faculty