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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): Penelope Friday, Natasha Eliya, Alissa Li, Leah Doezema,
Natalie Fridline, Dr. Rebecca Hasson, Mariam Habring, and Zoe Reimer
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.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Leah Doezema
Leah is a senior in the School of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts. Her academic focus is geared towards public health and how supporting parents can improve child adherence to the InPACT at Home program.
Natasha Eliya
Natasha is a sophomore in the School of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts. Her academic focus is centered on the intersection between public health and medicine and how supporting parents can improve child adherence to the InPACT at Home program.
Natalie Fridline
Natalie is a sophomore in the College of Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience. Her academic focus is focused on promoting child social emotional learning through school-based physical activity programs like InPACT.
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.
Zoe Reimer
Zoe is a sophomore in Kinesiology. Her academic focus is geared towards sports medicine and how prescribing InPACT at Home exercise videos can promote positive youth development.

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