Laurie Black
Degree Focus
Exercise and Wellness - Diabetes and Resistance Training
ASU Mentor
Dr. Brent Alvar
Earned Degrees
MS, 2007 – Exercise and Wellness, Arizona State University
BS, 2005 – Exercise Science & Nutrition, Ashland University
Current Doctoral Research
1st Year Project
Title: The effects of dietary supplementation on mental acuity and performance measures in golfers
Purpose: To examine the effect of supplementation on various measures of performance in golfers as well as determine whether measures are impacted by improvement in mental acuity.
Teresa L. Abraham
Degree Focus
Exercise and Wellness - Objective Assessment of Physical Activity
ASU Mentor
Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke
Earned Degrees
MS, 2002 - Exercise and Wellness, Arizona State University
BBA, 1998 – Economics with Minor in Spanish, University of Iowa
Current Doctoral Research
2nd Year Research Project
Title: Validation of multiple activity monitors to assess physical activity and inactivity in preschool children
Purpose: To validate multiple accelerometers and pedometers on physical activity and physical inactivity using a direct observation in preschool aged children.
Other Research Interests: The objective measurement of sitting time.
Melanie Mitros
Degree Focus
Exercise and Wellness - Aging
ASU Mentor
Dr. Pamela Swan
Earned Degrees
MS, 2006 - Health & Exercise Science - Emphasis in Biomechanics, Wake Forest University
BS, 2004 - Athletic Training, Middle Tennessee State University
Current Doctoral Research
1st Year Research Project
Title: Influence of Physical Activity on Static Balance and Flexibility in Middle Aged Women
Purpose: The Physical Activity in Women (PAW) study is to determine the influence of physical activity on static balance and flexibility in middle aged women.
Megan Grimstveldt
Degree Focus
Exercise and Wellness – Cardiovascular Disease
ASU Mentor
Dr. Chong Lee
Earned Degrees
MS, 2007 – Health Promotion and Kinesiology, The University of Texas at San Antonio
BS, 2005 – Health Fitness Studies/Nutrition Minor, Baylor University
Current Doctoral Research
1st Year Project
Title: Association Between Education and Peripheral Artery Disease in US Adults: The 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Purpose: To identify and examine the association between highest education level attained as a potential risk factor for incidence of peripheral artery disease in a large adult U.S. population.
Brandy-Joe Milliron
Degree Focus
Nutrition – Energy Balance
ASU Mentor
Dr. Kathleen Woolf
Earned Degrees
MS, 2005 - Human Nutrition, Arizona State University
BS, 2001 - Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado - Boulder
Current Doctoral Research
1st Year Project
Title: Dietary Trends During Physical Inactivity and Markers of Obesity
Purpose: To examine the associations of dietary intake and snacking behaviors during physical inactivity in normal weight, overweight, and obese women between the ages of 25 and 40 years.
Christy Appel
Degree Focus
Nutrition
ASU Mentor
Dr. Carol Johnston
Earned Degrees
B.S., 2004 - Human Nutrition, Arizona State University
M.S, 2005 - Human Nutrition, Arizona State University
R.D., 2007 - Registered Dietitian credential
Current Doctoral Research
1st Year Project
Title: Effect Of Short-Term Vinegar Consumption On Acid-Base Balance And Urinary Nitrogen Excretion
Purpose: To determine the effects of short-term vinegar consumption on acid-base balance and urinary nitrogen excretion in healthy adults.
Tracy Washington
Degree Focus
Exercise and Wellness - Transportation, Built Environment, and Physical Activity
ASU Mentor
Dr. Catrine Tudor-Locke
Earned Degrees
MA, 1991 – Kinesiology (Special Populations), California State University, Chico
BBA, 1987 – Marketing with Minor in Finance, Sonoma State University
Current Doctoral Research
2nd Year Research Project
Title: Parking and Transit Service Secondary Data Analysis
Purpose: To examine a trip reduction program survey and understand how the 25% reduction of parking availability and tiered parking fees along with an introduction of the U-Pass (free bus pass for students and employees) may effect active travel to the ASU campus.
Overall Research Goals: To better understand how the areas of health, transportation policy, and community design may impact active travel; a behavior promoted by current health recommendations.
Stephen Kelly
Degree Focus
Exercise and Wellness – Human Performance
ASU Mentor
Dr. Brent Alvar
Earned Degrees
MS, 2006 – Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton
BA, 2003 – Exercise/Sport Science, Concordia University, Irvine
Current Doctoral Research
2nd Year Research Project
Title: The Effect of Whole Body Vibration Versus Traditional Warmup on Isokinetic Strength
Purpose: To explore the acute implications of various warmup protocols on performance measures such as maximal torque, acceleration, and limb velocity capabilities.
