In an effort to inform voters about where the two major presidential candidates stand on family-relevant issues, doctoral students in the Department of Family Science at the University of Maryland compiled this family and health policy issues voting guide. The guide presents an objective, non-partisan collection of information comparing candidates on important family/health policies such as national health care, early childhood education, stem-cell research, home ownership, immigration, same-sex marriage, veteran health care, and Medicare.

(Date Added: October 14, 2008)

Dr. John Jeka was induced into the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education (AAKPE). Eight individuals were inducted at the September 27th meeting of the Academy. Also inducted were Dr. Deborah Young, chair of SPH Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Dr. Jill Whitall (UM PhD '88), a professor at UM Baltimore.

The Academy's membership is considered a "who's who list" of the top individuals in the fields of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

The AAKPE was established in 1926 to recognize outstanding scholars in the study of physical activity. Since 1926, 491 individuals nationwide have been inducted into the Academy as Active Fellows.

With his induction, Dr. Jeka brings the total to 6 AAKPE fellows in the Department (joining Andrews, Clark, Hagberg, Hatfield, Hurley).

For additional information on the AAKPE, refer to the academy's website at www.aakpe.org or call the Business Office at (217) 403-7545.

(Date Added: October 12, 2008)

Dr. Holt received a CDC grant about reasons for low follow-up in black CRC patients.

African Americans have been found to be less likely to receive a post-treatment follow-up colon exam than White patients. In one study, African Americans were found to be more likely to receive a barium enema rather than the recommended colonoscopy. In addition, patients who were older or from poorer neighborhoods were found to be less likely to receive adequate post-treatment surveillance.

The objective of this study is to conduct a qualitative examination of cultural and socioeconomic factors that may be associated with lower rates of CRC post-treatment surveillance among African Americans.

Dr. Holt is an Associate Professor in Public and Community Health. Her research interests involve community-based and culturally appropriate health communication, and the application of spirituality/religiosity to these interventions.

(Date Added: October 10, 2008)

Dr. Robin Sawyer, of Public and Community Health, was the recipient of two 2008 Telly Awards in the categories of Education and Human Sexuality for his recent film production, "Playing the Game 2."

Since 1979 The Telly Awards have recognized the very best in local, regional, national and international television programs and independent films. The competition this year received over 14,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents.

(Date Added: October 10, 2008)

The Department of Kinesiology has assistant professor positions in: Occupational Biomechanics and Translational Kinesiology with an emphasis on intervention. Closing date: Oct. 20. Please see the "People" section under "Open Faculty Information" for more information.

(Date Added: October 09, 2008)

Angela Pinzon, MD, a Ph.D. student in the FMSC Maternal and Child Health program, was awarded first prize in the 2007 Biennial Competition of Pediatrics in the Americas for her paper entitled, "The Health of Children Working in the Streets of Latin American Cities: Risks, Accidents, and Maltreatment (La Salud de los Niños que Trabajan en las Calles de Latinoamérica: Riesgos, Accidentes y Maltrato)."

The contest, sponsored by Colsubsidio, is designed to stimulate physician research on child health. Dr. Pinzon will make history in December 2008 when she officially receives this award for a second time (previously received in 2006); she is the first researcher to win the prize more than once. Dr. Pinzon will receive a cash prize of $5,000, present her paper at a ceremony in Colombia, and have her paper published in a professional journal.

(Date Added: October 07, 2008)

Congratulations to our 2008-2009 Wrenn Scholarship winners. These students were selected based on academic achievement and financial need. All are invited to be recognized at the Annual Dean's Scholars Dinner on Thursday, March 26th, 2009.

The Wrenn Scholarship winners are:
Leticia Addo
Amy Kerrick
Christine Schaub
Sherin Mathew
Roxanna Romano
Pa Rose
Nicole Small
Nicole Wilson
Catherine Phillips
Helena Mo
Mike Mules
Theresa Hackford

Applications for awards to 2009-2010 will be posted on our website in May, 2009.

(Date Added: October 01, 2008)

The President's Commission on Disability Issues has focused a series of events to highlight Disabilities Awareness Month. Mary Kivlighan, who will be giving a presentation Healthy Public Policy or Ethical Dilemma October 13th, discusses the Disabilities Act with The Diamondback.

Mary Kivlighan received an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Virginia and a J.D. from the University of Missouri. She is an Assistant Dean in the Dean's office and will be teaching Public Health Law and working on strategic initiatives for the college.

Read the complete article here, The Diamondback.

(Date Added: October 01, 2008)

Four undergraduate Family Science majors, Therese Hackford, Nina Phillips, Pia Rose (left), and Nicole Small, have been named 2008 Wrenn Scholars.

This scholarship fund honors Dr. Jerry P. Wrenn, a former dean of the College of Health and Human Performance (now the School of Public Health) and a faculty member who was dedicated to serving undergraduate students.

Therese Hackford, a FMSC senior and double major in Criminal Justice, is currently employed at the Institute for Governmental Service and Research, where she is assisting with a project that examines how case workers can work more effectively with juveniles. Nina (Catherine) Phillips, an FMSC senior, completed the CIVICUS living and learning program and has been a Peer Dialogue Leader with the Common Ground Dialogue Program; she also serves on the executive board of the National Residence Hall Honorary. Pia Rose, an FMSC senior is an avid volunteer, contributing her time and talents to Phi Upsilon Omicron honor society, the DC Central Kitchen, Project Linus, and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Nicole Small, another FMSC senior, has been involved with numerous campus and community activities, including CIVICUS, Habitat for Humanity, Phi Upsilon Omicron, and the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Program.

FMSC is very proud of all its Wrenn Scholars!

(Date Added: September 30, 2008)

Dr. Sandra Hofferth, Professor in Family Science and Director of the Maryland Population Research Center, had her research featured on the front page of the Metro section in Sunday's Washington Post (9/28/08). The article, "For Some Busy Kids, It's All Good," summarizes her study examining the stress levels of children involved in multiple out-of-school activities. She found that 9- to 12- year olds with a balanced activity load have the least stress (with highly involved children doing almost as well), and that children with no activities were at risk for lower self esteem, immaturity, and social withdrawal. Dr. Hofferth explains that "only a minority (of children) are heavily scheduled and that organized activities are linked to positive outcomes in school, emotional development, family life and behavior." Dr. Hofferth's research focuses on American children's use of time, work and family, research methods, fathers and fathering, and family policy. She has authored five books and numerous publications. Find information on the story at the University Newsdesk:

(Date Added: September 30, 2008)

Dr. Holt received a NCI grant about religion-health mechanisms among african american men and women.

Dr. Holt is an Associate Professor in Public and Community Health. Her research interests involve community-based and culturally appropriate health communication, and the application of spirituality/religiosity to these interventions.

African Americans are disproportionately affected by cancer when compared to other racial or ethnic groups. There are a number of social and cultural factors that relate to prevention and screening behaviors that impact cancer mortality rates. Religiosity/spirituality (RS) appears to be one of these factors. RS is central to the lives of many African Americans, and is related to cancer screening, risk, and prevention behaviors. RS has been proposed to have salutary effects on health in general through several mediators, including but not limited to performing health-related behaviors or avoiding unhealthy behaviors in accord with scripture, social support, coping with stress, positive affect or mental health, and social influence. However, research to date has not provided empirical evidence for these mediators. Thus, the relationship between RS and health has gone largely unexplained.

(Date Added: September 24, 2008)

Lindsey Hoskins, a Ph.D. student in Family Science, recently co-authored an article, "Sisters in Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Families: Communal Coping, Social Integration, and Psychological Well-Being", published in the August 2008 edition of Psycho-Oncology. The article addresses the association between psychological distress and indicators of social integration and communal coping among 65 sisters from hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) families. Research findings demonstrated that sisters share perceptions of risk and worry about breast cancer but not ovarian cancer. Anxiety levels of the sisters were comparable and sisters with more support persons had lower depression scores. Findings will assist in developing programs to facilitate the adjustment of cancer-prone women. Lindsey is currently completing a fellowship with the Clinical Genetics Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National Institutes of Health in Rockville, Maryland.

(Date Added: September 23, 2008)

Ndidi Amutha, FMSC doctoral student in Maternal and Child Health (MCH), has been selected as an American Public Health Association (APHA) MCH Section Fellow for 2008-2009. The fellowship recognizes Ndidi's excellent academic record and experience in public health. The Student Fellows Program provides an opportunity for students to learn more about APHA and the MCH Section through participation in business meetings, serving on various Section committees, and working on Section policy statements, among other activities. Student Fellows are also matched with a public health mentor who is a leader in the field of maternal and child health.

(Date Added: September 23, 2008)

The School of Public Health Alumni Chapter at University of Maryland College Park hosted its First Annual Mind Body Games. Janet Anderson, alum, and her team of experts, ran a challenging and fun event that tested some "physical" and "mental" skills.

In a tight competition where competitors did jigsaw puzzles, played Trivial Pursuit, Scrutineyes, Name that Tune, Scene It, Sudoku, among other games, the Black team surged ahead at the end of the day in the Family Feud game with 8 out of 10 correct answers! The Yellow team from PAE was second, the Orange Team was third, the Green Team from Step Aerobics was fourth and the Blue Team from Public Policy was fifth. But everyone was a winner being able to choose from great prizes, Ledo's pizza and lots of fun!

(Date Added: September 22, 2008)

A team of researchers headed by Dr. Bonnie Braun, Associate Professor of Family Science and Maryland Cooperative Extension Specialist, have found that school-based interventions are helping kids eat healthier foods.

Dr. Braun's study is one series of Project FRESH, a school-based nutrition education program designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among elementary school children. The project is being conducted by the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Food Stamp Nutrition Education program. The investigators implemented three interventions and examined the relationship between children's exposure to fruits and vegetables, taste preference, and actual consumption among fourth-graders in the Baltimore-Washington Metro area. Prior to the interventions, 93% of the students were not eating the recommended five fruits and vegetables a day. After the interventions, 60% increased their taste preference for fruits and vegetables, and 50% maintained this higher intake. Dr. Braun's research is especially timely given Governor O'Malley's recent signing of the new Jane Lawson Farm-to-School Program, designed to increase consumption of locally grown farm products in Maryland schools.

(Date Added: September 18, 2008)

Pia Rose, a Family Science Senior and President of Phi Upsilon Omicron, has been working with other students in the family science honorary society to plan community service activities for the coming year. Students in Phi Upsilon Omicron will volunteer their services at SHARE and DC Central Kitchen; make blankets for Project Linus, a program that provides handmade blankets and afghans to children who are seriously ill and/or traumatized; and participate in a food and clothing drive, and a walk for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. The group will also hold several brown bag events on topics such as: Considering Graduate School?, Women and the Media, Incarceration in Families, and Nutrition and Excercise.

In addition to serving as President of the honorary society, Pia is currently completing an internship with the Office of Military Community and Family Policy in the Office of the Under-Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Her work at the Pentagon involves providing content for the Military HomeFRONT website and working with the Office of Children and Youth on service projects for military families. Upon graduating in May 2009, Pia plans to pursue a Master's degree in Public Health with a research focus on nutrition, obesity prevention, and healthy living.

(Date Added: September 15, 2008)

The School of Public Health, the Family Science Department, and University of Maryland Extension are partnering with the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning to sponsor the first annual National Healthy Homes Festival, Friday through Sunday September 12-14, in Druid Hills Park, Baltimore. This festival will provide valuable information to Maryland residents who face health hazards in the built environment, such as lead, asbestos, pesticides, dangerous gases, and molds. The UMCP Extension booth will provide relevant health materials, games, and prizes. Recently, University of Maryland Extension launched a Healthy Homes website addressing this topic. Check it out at www.extension.umd.edu/family/healthyhomes. Family Science faculty members Dr. Edmond Shenassa and Dr. Lis Maring are also conducting a qualitative study that examines the transition of Baltimore City's Lead Poisoning Prevention program to a more comprehensive Healthy Homes program. This project, funded by the CDC, will produce a guide for other cities seeking to make the transition to a healthy homes focus.

(Date Added: September 10, 2008)

Melissa Wright recently joined the staff of Family Science as an Administrative Assistant who will also work on special department projects.

Melissa graduated from UMCP in 2006 with a BA in History, having specialized in the Middle East, Asia, and Early Modern Europe. Prior to joining the department, Melissa worked in the Research and Information Services Department at McKeldin Library, the law office of J. Michael Hannon, and the Folger Shakespeare Library. In a few years, Melissa plans to pursue an MA in South Asian Studies at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, and she ultimately hopes to work in Mumbai on sustainable urban transportation issues.

In her spare time, Melissa plays tennis and the cello, studies Hindi and Arabic, watches Bollywood films, and cheers for the Patriots and Army football.

(Date Added: September 08, 2008)

Last fall, more than 100 professionals and caregivers from Maryland and the Washington DC metro area convened at UMCP for a conference entitled, "Male Caregiving: Creating a Research, Programmatic, and Policy Agenda for an Emerging Public Health Issue."

The conference was sponsored by the HSC Foundation and the Department of Family Science, with additional support from the Consumer Health Foundation. National researchers, human service professionals, and male caregivers gave presentations on the unique strengths, challenges, and needs of male caregivers, an understudied group in the family science and public health literature. Presentations addressed evidence-based interventions and promising practices for working with male caregivers of children with special needs, spouses and partners, and the elderly.

A briefing report from this ground-breaking conference (prepared by Drs. Sally Koblinsky and Suzanne Randolph) can be found online at www.hscfoundation.org/aboutus/publications/male_caregivers.pdf

(Date Added: September 08, 2008)

Dr. Colleen (Coke) Farmer is honored with the President's Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Farmer is the Assistant Chair and Director of Undergraduate Programs.

This award recognizes exceptional performance, leadership, and service by a member of the University. Recipients of this award have a record of exemplary performance and distinctive contributions to the operation of an administrative, academic, research, or service unit on campus. They have clearly demonstrated initiative toward the improvement of university programs or campus activities and have shown commitment to the campus community as a whole.

(Date Added: September 04, 2008)

Dr. Andrew Billingsley, Professor Emeritus and former Professor/Chair of the Department of Family Science at UMCP and Senior Scholar at the Institute for Families in Society at the University of South Carolina, is coming to Washington, D.C. to speak about his new book, Yearning to Breathe Free: Robert Smalls of South Carolina and His Families.

He will speak and read from the book at Politics and Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC, on October 11th at 1:00 pm.

Dr. Billingsley's book describes the life of Robert Smalls and the history of subsequent generations, paying particular attention to the influence of both his biological and master's families. This compelling sociological narrative is a tribute to the heroism and legacy of the statesman, Robert Smalls.

(Date Added: September 02, 2008)

There are currently 2.5 million grandparents who are responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren; millions of other grandparents play an important role in the caregiving of their granddaughters and grandsons. September 7, 2008 is Grandparent's Day -- observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day every year.

Grandparent's Day is the brainchild of Marian McQuade of Fayette County, West Virginia. In 1978 President Jimmy Carter signed the presidential proclamation for the day in hopes that its observance would persuade grandchildren to gain from the wisdom and heritage of their grandparents.

FMSC faculty explore the role of grandparents in children's lives. For example, Dr. Elaine Anderson and Dr. Bonnie Braun are investigating the role of grandparents in family eating behaviors, with a focus on reducing childhood obesity. Dr. Woodie Kessel is collaborating with the American Academy of Pediatrics and Generations United on "Healthy GrandFamilies," a culturally-grounded project that works with trusted health care providers to enhance health promotion and disease prevention for underserved children and their grandparents.

(Date Added: September 02, 2008)

In the spring of 2008, Joy Bauer was featured in a Class Act article for TERP magazine that highlighted her many accomplishments. Joy earned her BS in Kinesiological Sciences from the University of Maryland in 1986 and completed her MS in Nutrition at New York University.

Kinesiological Sciences Alumna Katrina Grant, 2004 BS, Cum Laude, came across the article and was immediately impressed. She felt that they had much in common--both were Kinesiology majors, had some of the same professors, and shared many professional interests. At her mother's urging, Katrina emailed Joy introducing herself and letting her know how enthused she was to read about someone in a profession that she was passionate about. Joy immediately responded, delighted to have a Terp contact her, and extended an invitation to meet with Katrina.

Katrina traveled to New York City this past spring to meet with Joy, and was hired on the spot as an intern at Joy Bauer Nutrition, Inc. Joy has her working on many different projects including doing research for Joy's new book, which is due to come out sometime this fall or winter. Katrina also writes much of the copy for Joy's comment on the TODAY Show.

Joy Bauer, MS, RD, CDN, is founder and Director of Joy Bauer Nutrition, Inc., one of the largest nutrition centers in the country. As a registered dietician and leading nutrition authority, Joy lives and practices by the tagline: Life is hard, food should be easy!SM Her center, which boasts clientele such as high profile professionals, actors, models, and Olympic athletes, provides counseling and expertise for adults and children with nutritional concerns and health issues.

Joy is the author of several best selling books and has parlayed her expertise into high visibility jobs with the TODAY Show, PARADE and SELF magazine, the New York City Ballet, and Yahoo.com. Her passion and main focus is to bring people the latest cutting edge news on health, nutrition, food, and diet--and to present that information in a simple, easy-to-follow style.

(Date Added: August 28, 2008)

The Maryland Cooperative Extension and the Department of Family Science in the School of Public Health seek a Research Associate for a contractual appointment beginning in the fall of 2008. This non-tenure track faculty member will provide leadership of statewide family science programming and research within the Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE), including instruction of one undergraduate course in the Department of Family Science (FMSC). This is a 11-month appointment (year 1) with the possibility of renewal for an additional 12-month term. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in family science, human development, child development, human ecology, or related field is required. For more information contact: Dr. Kevin Roy, Professor, Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, 1204 Marie Mount Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20742, kroy@umd.edu.

(Date Added: August 27, 2008)

Jamie Lok, MPH student in the Department of Public and Community Health, has been awarded an American Public Health Association (APHA) Student Assembly Scholarship to the 2008 APHA Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. The APHA Student Assembly (APHA-SA) is the nation's largest student-led organization dedicated to furthering the development of the next generation of public health professionals. Lok will be presenting her poster entitled "Gender differences in a smoking cue-provoked craving assessment among African American smokers in the D.C. Metropolitan area" with co-authors Eva Sharma, DPCH doctoral student, and Drs. Rath and Glover.

Ms. Jamie Lok is an interventionist in the Center for Health Behavior Research. She has worked at the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) and served as a peer educator at the University Health Center for programs concerning sexual health, alcohol and other drugs, and sexual assault and rape prevention. Her interests include reproductive health awareness and health education outreach to the college demographic.

(Date Added: August 27, 2008)

MIAEH has two new Graduate Research Assistants starting this week. Rachel Rosenberg will be working with Dr. Amy Sapkota on a survey on drug usage patterns in Nigeria, and Kristie Trousdale with Dr. Dabney on environmental links with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We are excited to have them with us, and wish them all the best for a successful career with MIAEH!

(Date Added: August 18, 2008)

Dr. Olivia Carter-Pokras and Ms. Sonja Williams of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, have been working with Washington Adventist Hospital's Center for Health Disparities, and Montgomery County Government's Latino Health Initiative to plan and conduct health care provider continuing education on national guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and cultural competency. As part of this new initiative, continuing education sessions were held for personnel of Washington Adventist Hospital's emergency department in June 2008--WAH in Action: Helping Others Breathe Better. New discharge instructions and a resource guide were developed to assist providers and their patients. The team continues to monitor the impact of the training, and implementation of the asthma guidelines at Washington Adventist Hospital, and plans expansion of the continuing education program. Dr. Carter-Pokras and Ms. Williams gratefully acknowledge support from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and the University of Maryland College Park School of Public Health for their involvement in the project. Press coverage of the initiative can be found here:

MetroLatino (Spanish): http://www.metrolatinousa.com/article.cfm?articleID=42937

Channel 9 News

(Date Added: August 15, 2008)

Spanish media article on our asthma emergency department project with Washington Adventist Hospital and the Latino Health Initiative of Montgomery County:

http://www.metrolatinousa.com/article.cfm?articleID=42937

(Date Added: August 15, 2008)

The DC Examiner has an article about Sam Joseph accepting the position of Director of the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health. He is quoted there, "I think there's much more concern about environmental issues. It has captured the imagination of the American Public."

To check out the article, go to the related link below and then go to page 10.

(Date Added: August 15, 2008)

Lindsay Wohlers, graduate student iin exercise physiology, finished in 10:33 in the July 13th Ironman Switzerland. Her time placed her 22/279 females and 404/1940 overall (all finishers, males and females). Well done Lindsay.

(Date Added: August 14, 2008)

Dr. Sandra Hofferth, Professor of Family Science and Director of the Maryland Population Research Center, has been elected Vice-President Elect of the Population Association of America (PAA). The term of Vice President Elect begins in January 2009; Dr. Hofferth will become Vice President in January 2010.

The PAA is a scientific organization of professionals working in the population field to promote research and education on population issues. Dr. Hofferth works with the PAA using quantitative and qualitative data to research problems within the human population and to disseminate these results through a variety of national venues.

(Date Added: August 08, 2008)

Regina Davis, a Ph.D. student in Family Science's Maternal and Child Health program, was recently awarded a 2008-2009 Tylenol Scholarship. This scholarship program, now in its 16th year, presents scholarships to university students who are pursuing health-related careers and who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and outstanding leadership of community and school activities. Regina is now serving as the program manager for the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Foundation's Health Education and Active Learning (H.E.A.L.) Academy, which will launch an after-school health education program for African-American girls in Baltimore's Park Heights community this fall. A partnership of BET and the Aetna Foundation, this multi-level, interactive intervention will teach girls ages 10-18 to make healthy lifestyle choices and empower them to become active health advocates for policy changes in their schools, neighborhoods, and families. The program will include comprehensive physical activity and nutrition education sessions, an innovative educational web site, local obesity prevention public service announcements, and activities for advocating change in public policy.

(Date Added: August 07, 2008)

Hitting the $535 million mark this summer, alumni and friends have invested more than a half a billion dollars in our $1 billion campaign. Support is creating a new reality for students and faculty who will use scholarships, technology, innovative programming and top-tier facilities to make Maryland synonymous with excellence in higher education. Read more about the latest campaign news and learn how you can help Maryland achieve its great expectations.

(Date Added: July 30, 2008)

SUNY Cortland has appointed Philip J. Buckenmeyer of Liverpool, N.Y., as chair of the Kinesiology department in the School of Professional Studies.

Buckenmeyer received his doctorate in exercise physiology from the Kinesiology department at the University of Maryland where he also minored in biochemistry, biomechanics and statistics.

Buckenmeyer, an associate professor of kinesiology who has served SUNY for six years, began his duties on June 30. He frequently presents on topics including childhood obesity, cardiac rehabilitation, wellness, exercise and women's health at professional conferences and public forums. He is the author or co-author of many peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and reviews.

Buckenmeyer was included in the Spring 2007 Cambridge Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals "Honors Edition." In Fall 2006, he was recognized as a 25-year member in the American College of Sports Medicine. In Fall 2004, he received a SUNY Promising Inventor Award as a preliminary step to patenting two computer programs, the "K-6 Childhood Obesity Database" and "Interactive Fitness/Weight Control Videogame." His high school in Alexander, N.Y., named him to its 2003 Hall of Fame. The University of Akron presented him with its 1999-2000 Outstanding Researcher Award in the College of Education.

(Date Added: July 30, 2008)

The Latino Health Steering Committee is releasing the report, "Blueprint for Latino Health in Montgomery County, Maryland 2008-2012".

The article quotes Olivia Carter-Pokras discussing aspects of Latino Health, "The Latino community is vibrant, young and fast growing with an enormous capacity to enrich the county and strengthen basic institution."

Carter-Pokras added that the limited data available on the incidence and prevalence of disease among Latinos suggest that Latinos have higher rates of diseases that compromise health and quality of life, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDS, obesity, suicide and liver disease.

(Date Added: July 30, 2008)

Please welcome Sam Joseph as Director of the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health.

Dr. Joseph has a BSA from the University of Florida, Gainesville in bacteriology and chemistry; MS and PhD from St. John's University in microbiology. Former Professor and Chair, Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics (Microbiology), University of Maryland; Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, UMB; and Former Director, Infectious Diseases Program, Naval Medical Research and Development Command, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.

He has more than 120 refereed publications currently in press with six additional in preparation; and 15 books and chapters. He is a member of Sigma Xi; Elected Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology; Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science. Extensive contract and grant work with FDA, Naval Medical Research and Development Command; Agency for International Development; Agricultural Experiment Station; USDA; Maryland Department of the Environment.

(Date Added: July 21, 2008)

Zainab Okolo, a 2008 alumna of the Family Science undergraduate program, received the 2008 "Undergraduate Outstanding Student Paper Award" from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). This national honor recognizes Zainab's excellent study of the hunger and eating behaviors of 350 low-income, predominantly African American children and youth in Baltimore City. Her project has important implications for food and nutrition programs and public policy. Zainab will receive her award at NCFR's 2008 Annual Meeting in Little Rock in November. She will begin a graduate program in marriage and family therapy at Syracuse University this fall.

(Date Added: July 18, 2008)

Dr. Elaine Anderson and Dr. Bonnie Braun are collecting data this summer for their Rural Families Eat for Health project, funded by the Maryland Agricultural Extension Service. The two FMSC faculty members and graduate students Kate Speirs, Nicole Finkbeiner, and Patty Fanflick have been conducting interviews with mothers and grandmothers on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland to learn more about the eating habits of families with pre-school children. Of particular interest is their purchasing and preparation of fruits and vegetables. The researchers are partnering with Dr. Virginie Zoumenou in Cooperative Extension and her UMES students.

Findings will inform future development of nutrition education programming.

(Date Added: July 18, 2008)

Please welcome our new Student Services Advisor, Sandra Quinn.

Sandra works primarily with student athletes pursuing majors within the School of Public Health. She also coordinates freshmen and transfer orientation programs.

Sandra comes to UMD with an extensive background in academic advising and student services. She worked as an advisor and instructor at both Old Dominion University and Boise State University. Sandra is an alumna of Boise State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Finance and a master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Educational Technology.

(Date Added: July 18, 2008)

Dr. Cheng Shuang Ji, a 2007 graduate of the Family Science Ph.D. program, has accepted a position as a Research Instructor in the Department of Oncology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She will be working with her mentor, Dr. Wenchi-Liang, on a NIH-funded project to promote communication between physicians and Chinese patients about colorectal cancer prevention. Dr. Ji has also worked with the District of Columbia Public Schools to increase Asian immigrant parents' contact with their children's schools. Her article, "Parental Involvement in Children's Education: An Exploratory Study of Urban Chinese Immigrant Families" (co-authored by Dr. Sally Koblinsky), was recently accepted for publication in the journal, Urban Education.

(Date Added: July 18, 2008)

It is with sadness that we announce that Emeritus Professor James H. Humphrey died July 11, 2008.

Dr. Humphrey an emeritus professor in the Kinesiology Department had moved to Livonia Michigan in recent years. He received his bachelor's degree from Denison University, his master's degree from Case Western Reserve University and his doctorate from Boston University. James taught at all educational levels from elementary school to the college graduate level. During WWII, James served as an Athletic Specialist at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. He started his career as an assistant professor of physical education at Michigan State University. In 1953, he became as associate professor of physical education and health at the University of Maryland in College Park and was promoted to full professor in 1956. As a notable researcher and author, James was the recipient of numerous honors and awards during his career.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances, his daughter Joy Rose (Tim) and cousin, Hazeljean Adams. Memorial donations may be made to the James H. Humphrey Graduate Research Writing Award. Payable to UMCP Foundation and sent to Dr. Jane Clark, Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2611.

(Date Added: July 14, 2008)

Congratulations to Dr. Jaime Schultz for her selection as a campus CTE-Lilly Teaching Fellow.

This program provides the opportunity for up to ten faculty members from the College Park campus to meet regularly during the academic year to discuss and address important issues in undergraduate education. Dr. Schultz joins a distinguished group of campus faculty who have been Lilly Fellows including other faculty from the School of Public Health: Dr. Marvin Scott (Kinesiology) and Dr. Donna Howard (Public and Community Health).

(Date Added: July 13, 2008)

Dr. Sean Deeny, (PhD'05), received the Alzheimer's Association "Best Paper" for the New Investigator Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Award at the annual meeting of ICAD in Chicago this month. This award was in recognition of Dr.Deeny's paper in Biological Psychology "Exercise, APOE, and working memory: MEG and behavioral evidence for benefit of exercise in epsilon4 carriers." Other authors on the paper were: David Poeppel, Jo B. Zimmerman, Stephen M. Roth, Josef Brandauer,Sarah Witkowski, Joseph W. Hearn, Andrew T. Ludlowa, José L. Contreras-Vidal, Jason Brandt, and Bradley D. Hatfield

(Date Added: July 13, 2008)

Dr. Robin Sawyer, of the department of Public and Community Health, spoke yesterday on The Morning Show. The subject was "How can married couples keep the 'sizzle' in their sex life?". A couple spoke about having sex 101 days in a row and Robin was the sex expert for the show. His book, Sexpertise, was also shown.

(Date Added: July 01, 2008)

Jane Clark, professor and chair of Kinesiology, discusses her studies in posture control and balance in babies in Terp Magazine. "My research is focused on how the brain connects to the muscles to do the things we do almost automatically".

Dr. Clarks research focus is developmental motor control, motor development, and movement disorders.

Using a dynamic systems approach, Dr. Clark and her colleagues have demonstrated that the newly walking infants limbs, like those of the adult walker, act like coupled nonlinear limit cycle oscillators at both the intralimb and interlimb levels of coordination. Her current work examines the role of sensory information in the development of upright posture and locomotion in infants.

(Date Added: June 30, 2008)

Terp Magazine featured several Kinesiology professors on the story "Strong at Any Age". Dr. Jim Hagberg discusses his early work and the way that it directs his current research. Dr. Ben Hurley talks about gene combinations that affect muscle mass. Dr. Steven Roth looks into DNA changes that exercise brings about. Dr. John Jeka researches balance and aging. And Jo Zimmerman offers tips on keeping your brain and body young.

(Date Added: June 30, 2008)

Olivia Carter-Pokras of the Department of Epidemiology, is quoted in a Washington Post article "County Must Help Improve Latino Health".

Dr. Carter-Pokras has conducted health disparities research in the Federal government (21+ years) and academia (4+ years). Her research has mainly focused on the intersection of epidemiology and health policy to address Latino health and children's environmental health.

(Date Added: June 30, 2008)

Ndidi Amutah, FMSC Doctoral Student in Maternal and Child Health (MCH), was one of 40 professionals and doctoral students selected to complete the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) and Center for Disease Control's (CDC) 2008 Training Course in MCH Epidemiology held in Chicago from June 2nd - 7th. This national program is aimed primarily at MCH professionals who have significant responsibility for collecting, processing, analyzing, and reporting maternal and child health data. The course combines an intensive five-day program of hands-on data analysis experience with continuing access to expert consultation through September 2008. Ms. Amutah received a scholarship to cover all expenses related to her training.

(Date Added: June 27, 2008)

Three Family Science undergraduates have been named Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Scholars for 2008. The McNair program prepares undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds for doctoral study by providing opportunities for research and scholarship. Rashida Ali-Mubarak, a first-year Scholar mentored by Dr. Kevin Roy and associate mentor Megan Fitzgerald, is examining ways to reduce food insecurity and improve nutritional outcomes among families participating in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program. Sharelle Law, a first-year scholar mentored by Dr. Southerland in the McNair Program, is investigating how the mother-son relationship influences spousal relationships among African American men. Shauntia White (left), a first-year scholar mentored by Dr. Blanchard in the Psychology Department, is examining genetic and environmental factors in social anhedonia and schizophrenic-spectrum disorder. FMSC faculty member Dr. Kevin Roy is also mentoring Valencia Morton, a third-year scholar and Sociology major, who is exploring low-income young men's relationships with their nonresidential fathers over time.

(Date Added: June 27, 2008)

Congratulations to Trent Bradberry, doctoral student in Bioengineering working with Dr. Jose L. Contreras-Vidal, who was named a finalist in the student paper competition of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology. Trent's award winning paper is on "Decoding of hand and cursor kinematics from magnetoencephalographic signals during tool use."

(Date Added: June 19, 2008)

J. Corey Williams, Kinesiological Sciences Honors student (Class of '09) has been named as 2008-09 Merrill Presidential scholar. The Merrill Presidential Scholars Program honors the University of Maryland's most successful seniors an