Press Releases / Research News

“Faculty in the News

New Research May Lead to Long-Term Weight-Loss Solutions for Morbidly Obese

TCU Harris College Magazine (Summer, 2011) highlighted Dr. Meena Shah  for her work with obesity and weight-related health problems. These problems are on the rise in the United States, and according to the National Institutes of Health, traditional weight-loss strategies such as diet and medical therapy aren’t effective long-term for the morbidly obese-those with a body mass index or BMI of 40 kg/m2 or more. But new research by Dr. Meena Shah, Professor of Kinesiology indicates a potential strategy for long-term weight loss in these individuals. To view the complete story, click here.

Harris College recognized this bariatric/obesity work based on her recently published peer reviewed manuscript entitled, “High Volume Exercise Program in Obese Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.” Obesity (2011), 19, 1826-1832.

Award/Grant Recipients

Student Research Symposium 2012 Winners
The 9th Annual Student Research Symposium took place on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 1:00-4:00pm. The following winners came from Undergraduate and Graduate levels.
Undergraduate Winners
First Place: Kelsey Gentsch & Kelly Dawson (KINE)– for more info click here. 
Second Place: Haleigh Wiederrich (SOWO)– for more info click here.
Third Place: Taylor Fulk (SOWO)– for more info click here.
Graduate Winners
First Place: Holly Haddad (CNL)– for more info click here.
Second Place: Kathy Drescher (DNP)– for more info click here.
Third Place (tie): Rebecca Becknall (COSD)– for more info click here. Danell Stengem (CNL) — for more info click here.

TCU RCAF and Junior Faculty-Summer Grant Recipient
Dr. Phil Esposito is the recipient of both a Junior Faculty Summer Grant and and RCAF Grant for his work to examine the components of the metabolic syndrome in a cross-sectional sample of individuals with Down syndrome (DS). To learn more, click here.

TCU RCAF Grant Recipient
Dr. Gina Alexander was awarded a RCAF grant for her study entitled ”Mind-Body Therapies for Self-Care and Health Promotion: Providers as Learners.”  The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of mind-body interventions to reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and promote mindfulness and self-care among health care professionals. To learn more, click here.

TCU Junior Faculty Summer Grant Recipient
Dr. Janie Wells was awarded a Junior Faculty Summer Grant for her study entitled “Stressors in the Older Adult with End Stage Renal Disease,” which aims to determine the older adult’s experience of living with end stage renal disease and to determine the daily stressors that they experience. She was awarded $6,000 to complete this study. To learn more, click here.

Dr. Debbie Rhea is the winner of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Southern District Scholar Award for 2012. She was one of 13 candidates (each representing the 13 states of the southern district of AAHPERD) considered for this honor.  To learn more click here.