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Improving the health and well-being of children and their families across the state of Michigan
MEET THE TEAM
Pictured (l-r): Alissa Li, Anna Schwartz, Hala Abbas, Mariam Habring, Tania Sapre,
Olivia Plagens, Maya Stier, Penelope Friday, and Dr. Rebecca Hasson
DIRECTOR
Rebecca Hasson, PhD
As Director of the Michigan Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory, Dr. Rebecca Hasson enjoys using her expertise in pediatric physical activity, implementation science, and health equity research to improve the health and well-being of children and their families across the state of Michigan. For the past eight years, Dr. Hasson’s research has focused on the development and implementation of physical activity interventions in school and home environments. For more information about Dr. Hasson's research accomplishments click here.
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Penelope Friday, PhDc
Penelope is a fourth-year PhD student at the University of Michigan within the School of Kinesiology. She attended Michigan State University for her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology and Indiana University-Bloomington for her Master of Public Health. She worked for three years as the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Health focusing on school and early childhood education wellness initiatives to child health. Her long-term goal is improving the quality and quantity of physical activity of school-aged children through InPACT programming, policies, system and environmental approaches.
Anna Schwartz, MPH
Anna received her undergraduate degree from the School of Kinesiology and masters degree from the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan. Her research interests include developing implementation strategies to promote physical activity in elementary schools across the state. She is a research assistant working on the InPACT at School, and InPACT at Home projects.
Hala Abbas, MS
Hala received her undergraduate degree in Biomolecular Sciences and masters degree from the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan at the University of Michigan. Her research interests focus on the implementation and sustainment of physical activity programs in Arab American communities.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Mariam Habring
Mariam, a senior in the School of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, is double majoring in Biology, Health and Society, as well as Spanish. Her academic focus is geared towards pediatrics and how implementing the InPACT Program can improve the health and physical activity of children.
Alissa Li
Alissa is a senior studying Biology, Health and Society in the School of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts. She is interested in pediatrics and her research interests are geared towards creating universal access to youth physical activity programs across the state of Michigan..
Olivia Plagens
Olivia is a post-baccalaureate student in the School of Medicine. Her academic focus is geared towards reducing stress-related conditions in pediatric populations through physical activity.
Tania Spare
Mariam is a senior studying Biology, Health and Society in the School of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts. Her academic focus is geared towards pediatrics and how implementing the InPACT Program can improve the health and physical activity of children.
Maya Stier
Maya is a junior studying Movement Science in the School of Kinesiology. Her academic focus is geared towards reducing stress-related conditions in pediatric populations through physical activity.
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