HHS Research Areas

The College of Health and Human Sciences promotes optimal development across the life span.

We aim to help all individuals thrive physically, socially, emotionally, intellectually, environmentally, occupationally, financially and cognitively. Examples include:

• Understanding how biological, behavioral, social and environmental factors protect or threaten health and how those mitigate or contribute to risk for social, communicative, metabolic and cognitive disorders.
• Developing and evaluating the efficacy of interventions for children with developmental, behavioral and communication disorders and advancing methods for ensuring effective education of all children and adolescents.
• Determining how relationships can foster optimal development across the life span.

Developmental Health and Wellness Research Faculty

Faculty Co-Leaders

Arielle Borovsky, Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences 

A.J. Schwichtenberg, Department of Human Development and Family Studies

HHS promotes optimal aging through the prevention of chronic disease and disability, treatment of diseases of aging and an enhanced quality of life.

We develop new technologies, therapies and applications to enhance relationships, longevity and healthy aging in all communities. Our research seeks to understand how lifestyle, dietary and environmental choices influence health and longevity. Examples include:

• Establishing how environmental, recreational, occupational or radiation exposures may lead to disability or disease.
• Defining genetic and biologic mechanisms of neurological disease and diseases of aging as well as underlying social, cultural and structural determinants of disease onset and progression.
• Understanding the effect of infectious and chronic disease, neurologic injuries and military service on the long-term mental and physical health of individuals and families.

Healthy Lifestyles and Vital Longevity Research Faculty

Faculty Co-Leaders:

Jason Cannon, School of Health Sciences 

Libby Richards, School of Nursing

We encourage sustainable and thriving communities and organizations — locally and globally.

Our research seeks to reduce health and wealth disparities, support the development of diverse and inclusive communities and ensure the long-term health of the environment. Together, we persist toward fostering hospitality, inclusion and resilience among individuals from all backgrounds and communities. Examples include:

• Establishing methods to reduce social biases, food insecurity, systemic inequalities and health disparities and their consequences.
• Detecting and countering risk and mechanisms for infectious disease spread in local and global contexts.
• Ensuring sustainable, accessible, high-quality and cost-effective health care organizations and systems of care.
• Determining and disseminating methods for sustainable protection of the earth’s environment, with special emphasis on tourism and food policies and practices.
• Promoting the adoption of policies and practices that support healthy lifestyles on the state, national and global level.

Sustainable and Thriving Communities and Organizations Research Faculty

Faculty Co-Leaders:

Jonathon Day, White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management 

Nilupa Gunaratna, Department of Public Health