Dr. Ameena Batada is a Professor in Health Sciences and teaches courses in public health, community health, health communication, and health justice. Dr. Batada was recently recognized with the North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching. She conducts community-driven research with partner organizations, including program evaluations and research for public health policy advocacy. She also is involved in research on the impact of structural racism on health in rural Western North Carolina.
Dr. Laura Jones is an Associate Professor in Health Sciences and teaches courses in mental and emotional health, addictions, sexual health, biofeedback, and stress management. Dr. Jones researches the integration of neuroscience into clinical mental health training and practice, the role of mental health in the peak performance of athletes, the use of biofeedback in enhancing wellbeing and performance, and conceptualizations of safety in trauma survivors. She was recently recognized with UNC Asheville’s Scholarship and Creative Achievement Award.
Dr. Aubri Rote is and Professor and Chair of the Health Sciences Department. She teaches courses in chronic disease, exercise science, and body image. Dr. Rote conducts research on body composition and health, weight bias, and pedagogical strategies in health sciences.
Dr. Jason Wingert is a Professor in Health Sciences and teaches courses in anatomy and physiology as well as evolution of human health and disease. Dr. Wingert researches sensory and motor function in older adult fall prevention and cognitive biases impacting the student learning of evolution.
Dr. Fabrice Julien is an Assistant Professor in Health Sciences and teaches courses in research methods, migration and health, health communication, public health, and community health. Dr. Julien’s research is centered around the social determinants of health. His ongoing projects aim to minimize health disparities. At The University of North Carolina Asheville, his lab explores health outcomes related to stress exposure in college students, youth, and immigrants. The research carried out in the lab is qualitative. Other lines of active research include: 1. A comparative cross-sectional analysis of the role family interactions play in the development of depressive symptoms, 2. A community health investigation of how sexual health knowledge is related to coital frequency and subsequently how this frequency is related to sexual practice decisions, and 3. An exploration of the interdisciplinary association between social standing, academic stressors and the psychological well-being of immigrant
youth.
Dr. Sarah Donnelly: My interests center around exploring the intersections of health pedagogy and behavior change among college students. My research focuses on how educational strategies and teaching methodologies in health-related courses influence students’ attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors regarding their personal health. By investigating the effectiveness of various pedagogical approaches, I aim to identify key factors that motivate and sustain healthy lifestyle choices in young adults. My goal is to contribute to the development of innovative educational interventions that promote long-term health behavior change, ultimately enhancing the well-being and academic success of college students.
Dr. Lyndi Hewitt is a Professor of Health Sciences and Sociology. She offers courses in research methodology and methods, health and illness, and applied social science. Her scholarship has appeared in the American Journal of Sociology, Mobilization, Pedagogy in Health Promotion, Societies Without Borders, and Interface: A Journal for and about Social Movements. Her current research explores emotional and mental health among senior leaders in higher education. A recognized expert in impact evaluation, Lyndi’s collaborative research with the Global Fund for Women has been cited in The Chronicle of Philanthropy. She was honored in 2017 with the Award for Teaching Excellence in the Social Sciences at UNCA, in 2018 with the Champion for Students Award, and in 2019 with the Community Connector Award and the UNCA Distinguished Service Award.