Research

My research examines the pathway towards establishing health behaviors (i.e., sleep, diet, physical activity, screen time) and how these health behavior patterns may lead to cardiometabolic disease. Specifically, I have a strong interest in women’s health, in particular examining sex differences in health behaviors such as diet, activity, and sleep on cardiometabolic health. As a maternal and child health epidemiologist, I have studied how maternal factors and behaviors during pregnancy influence offspring health behaviors and ultimately impact pediatric risk for obesity and other cardiometabolic disease states (insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease). I use observational methods to first identify key associations with health behaviors and disease risk, and then use these findings to guide intervention strategies with potential for widespread dissemination and implementation. My current research is extending my methodology expertise by utilizing the tool of metabolomics as an early indicator of cardiometabolic diseases. Utilizing this advanced tool, I will be able to identify biomarkers involved in pathways that may be modified by health behavior change. My research experience has me well-positioned to contribute expertise in health behavior change, chronic disease risk in pediatric populations, and development of behavioral intervention strategies to prevent cardiometabolic diseases in youth.