New Faculty Member Focuses on Public Health
The department is pleased to welcome our newest member, Heather Starnes, who joined the faculty in fall 2012. Starnes earned her doctorate in health and kinesiology from Purdue University. Her research focuses on physical activity and public health, especially as it relates to the built environment.
"Evidence for the effects of the built environment on health behaviors could lead local leaders and residents to increase their support for creating and sustaining healthy community environments," Starnes said.
Starnes is already making a mark in the department. In fall 2012, students in her Introduction to Research Methods class developed individual research proposals, which they presented in a conference-style poster session.
Students proposed a variety of projects, including studies of the effects of daily physical activity on cognitive function in elementary school students and effects of aerobic exercise as a treatment for general anxiety disorder. The video below shows the students presenting their research proposals to their peers and faculty in the Kinesiology Department.