Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences research

Key Investigators: Dr. Carrie Earthman

The BCM Lab utilizes measures of muscle mass, muscle quality, and protein and energy metabolism to improve our understanding of the interactions between disease, illness and aging and nutritional status. The primary goal for the BCM Lab is to more effectively identify and monitor poor muscle health as a key feature of clinical malnutrition in hospital and outpatient settings and develop optimal interprofessional management strategies to improve nutrition status and health outcomes in individuals with chronic diseases such as heart failure and cancer, and in those undergoing hospitalization for acute illness or injury.

Visit the Body Composition & Metabolism Lab website to learn more.

Key Investigator: Dr. Jody Greaney

Our research focuses on better understanding the psychophysiological mechanisms linking mental illnesses like depression to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, with a particular interest in how dynamic stress-related processes in everyday life influence vascular health. Our overall goal is to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention strategies to prevent, slow, or reverse depression- and stress-associated cardiovascular disease. Visit the CPP Lab website to learn more.

Key Investigator: Dr. Richard Fang
Research conducted by Dr. Fang is focused on the development and validation of dietary assessment tools delivered over the web interface and the development and evaluation of personalized, web-based nutrition education modules to help specific populations (i.e., college students, Asian Americans) improve their intake for certain nutrients such as dietary fiber, calcium, or vitamin C.

To learn more, contact rfang@udel.edu

Key Investigator: Dr. Carly Pacanowski
Dr. Pacanowski’s research aims to understand how disordered eating cognitions and behaviors relate to weight gain over time and behavioral, physiological, and psychological well-being. She co-leads the Disordered Eating Delaware (DEDE) research group with Dr. Christine Skubisz, which focuses on the primary and secondary prevention of eating disorders at UD. Dr. Pacanowski’s research group has conducted several randomized controlled trials investigating weight-control behaviors ranging from quantifiable (e.g. tracking minutes of exercise or steps per day, monitoring weight, calorie counting) to intuitive (e.g. achieving mindful movement through a practice such as yoga, intuitive eating).

To learn more, contact: cpacanow@udel.edu 

Key Investigators: Drs. Shannon Robson and Jillian Trabulsi
Research in the Energy Balance and Nutrition Laboratory (EBNL) focuses on the energy mechanisms, diet composition, diet quality, and modifiable behaviors that contribute to healthy growth and nutritional status in infants, children, and caregivers who are healthy and in those with chronic disease.

Eating behaviors are established during childhood and are predictive of dietary intake and health outcomes in later childhood and adulthood. The goal of our laboratory is to help all individuals improve their nutrition for the promotion of health. Visit the EBNL website to learn more.

Key Investigator: Dr. Alisha Rovner
Research conducted by Dr. Rovner focuses on growth, bone health and body composition in healthy children and children with chronic diseases.  

To learn more, contact: arovner@udel.edu

Key Investigator: Dr. Iva Obrusnikova

The Health and Disability Laboratory excels in pioneering interdisciplinary research to enhance health, function, physical activity, quality of life, and independence while reducing health disparities faced by individuals with lived experiences of disability. Our focus is on developing and rigorously evaluating comprehensive behavioral interventions, personalized health promotion services, and advancing supportive and assistive technologies. We are committed to enhancing community-based fitness and wellness programs through robust research, training, and active collaboration with community partners. We actively advocate for inclusive practices and policies that foster active and fulfilling lifestyles and empowering, supportive environments. Our laboratory not only offers in-lab skills demonstrations, simulations, and real-world interventions but also provides out-of-lab clinical and community experiences. These opportunities equip both undergraduate and graduate students with the essential skills to deliver high-quality personalized services to individuals of diverse abilities and backgrounds. Discover more about our commitment to innovative and applied research and community collaboration on our Health and Disability lab website.

Key Investigator: Dr. Sheau Ching Chai
Nutrition and Health Research Laboratory focuses on investigating the role of functional foods (foods and food components that provide a health benefit beyond basic nutrition) and dietary supplements in preventing and reducing age- and nutrition-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. The research also explores the links between inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic conditions in humans.

Visit the Nutrition and Health Research Lab website to learn more.

Key Investigator: Dr. Daehyoung "DH" Lee

Our goal is to develop and validate technology-based physical activity interventions to improve physical, mental, and cognitive health in individuals with and without disabilities. Current research focuses on evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of a gamified, behavior change theory-guided mobile health intervention for promoting physical activity among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in real-world settings.

To learn more, contact: dhlee@udel.edu

Key Investigator: Dr. Michael Peterson

Our purpose is to explore and practice the art and science of utilizing marketing and communication techniques via traditional and emerging technologies to promote positive health changes and improved quality of life among our target audiences.

The Social Marketing & Health Communication Lab (SMHC Lab) provides opportunity for students to gain practical, hands-on experiences in social marketing techniques, social media strategies, persuasive writing and blogging, health communication skills, interviewing and focus group skills, and podcast development. Learn More

Key Investigators: Freda Paterson

Our research program is interested in understanding how the amount, timing, regularity, and patterns of daily behaviors (namely sleep, physical activity, sedentariness, and eating) may play a role in chronic disease development, particularly in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular, metabolic, and pulmonary diseases. Our overarching goal is to develop viable and effective sleep- and circadian-based behavioral interventions to improve health and physical functioning in high-risk and underrepresented groups.  Visit their website to learn more.