{"id":8306,"date":"2020-06-01T08:58:11","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T12:58:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/?page_id=8306"},"modified":"2026-10-07T10:36:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T14:36:58","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/academics\/phd-in-health-sciences\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading entry-title\">Ph.D. in Health Sciences<\/h1>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-menu-wrapper\"><nav id=\"\" class=\"cl-menu  \" data-name=\"HSPHD\" data-show-title=\"0\"><ul id=\"menu-hsphd\" class=\"cl-menu-list cl-menu-list-no-js\"><li id=\"menu-item-8315\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-8315\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/academics\/phd-in-health-sciences\/\">Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-8318\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-8318\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/academics\/phd-in-health-sciences\/admissions\/\">Admission<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-8321\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-8321\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/academics\/phd-in-health-sciences\/research\/\">Research<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-12444\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-12444\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/academics\/phd-in-health-sciences\/learning-outcomes\/\">Learning Outcomes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav><\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-tabs-wrapper\"><div class=\"cl-tabs  \">\n<section class=\"cl-tab \"><h1>Latest Highlights<\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The third annual Health Sciences Research Night was a resounding success, thanks to the coordination of Dr. Christie Ward-Ritacco and her team. From over 80 poster presentations, attending faculty judges selected the best presentations within each student category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Winners for Best Poster Presentation were:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Doctoral Category:<\/strong> Maruth Emilcar (Health Sciences; Nutrition concentration) <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1wBnCa3zYjN11XBHrS2_AKp7ViWkkmeQ2\/view?usp=sharing\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1wBnCa3zYjN11XBHrS2_AKp7ViWkkmeQ2\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Link to Presentation<\/a><br><strong>Master\u2019s Category:<\/strong> Hadley St. Cyr (Kinesiology) <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/15nqEJpQKaez6ZpnYOTt8tXV9nGNOdDOx\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Link to Presentation<\/a><br><strong>Undergraduate Category:<\/strong> Zoe Catrambone (Kinesiology) <a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1GCxLtwa-ewsraPWMJAwXVD3eCyj63My1\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Link to Presentation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/2026\/04\/08\/health-sciences-students-from-multiple-disciplines-highlight-studies-during-annual-research-night\/\">Learn More about this year&#8217;s research night.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-tab \"><h1>Student Publications<\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lodge, M.T.<\/strong>, Catrambone, Z.R., Kraus, E., Cirella, S.M., Logan, N.E., &amp;\u00a0Ward-Ritacco, C.L. (2026).\u00a0From Validation to Application: A Methodological Review of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Screening.\u00a0<em>Performance Nutrition.<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s44410-026-00020-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s44410-026-00020-2<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lodge, M.T.<\/strong>, Logan, N.E., &amp;\u00a0Ward-Ritacco, C.L.\u00a0(2025). Low Energy Availability and Disordered Eating Risk Do Not Change Over a Collegiate Cross-Country Season.\u00a0<em>Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.\u00a0<\/em>DOI: 10.1249\/TJX.0000000000000337<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lodge, M.T.<\/strong>, Cirella, S.M., Hartman, M.E., Logan, N.E., &amp;\u00a0Ward-Ritacco, C.L.\u00a0(2025). The Association of Low Energy Availability Knowledge and Risk in Female Track and Field Athletes.\u00a0<em>Journal of Women\u2019s Sports Med<\/em>. DOI:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.53646\/e3r1jh65\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.53646\/e3r1jh65<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Logan, N.E., <strong>Gaudreau, J.<\/strong>, <strong>Owens, B.A.<\/strong>, Oaks, B.M.,\u00a0Ward-Ritacco, C.L<strong>.<\/strong>\u00a0&amp; Sabik, N.J. (2025).\u00a0Heightened Menopausal Symptoms Mediate the Associations Between Stress and Depressive Symptoms Among Midlife Women.\u00a0<em>Menopause<\/em>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.com\/v3\/__https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/menopausejournal\/abstract\/9900\/heightened_menopausal_symptoms_mediate_the.492.aspx__;!!Jh1S!gOxs_l2Snt4HlC7KMFSlskn4qXeOjTjthblLu-2VoxYlq0oxigAyTDZ-aMHtd-OpbXrVvfOosNRwXjSjzvu5WQ$\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DOI: 10.1097\/GME.0000000000002596<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lodge, M.T.<\/strong>, Cirella, S.M., Hartman, M.E., Logan, N.E., &amp;\u00a0Ward-Ritacco, C.L.\u00a0(2025). Risk of Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, Eating Disorders, and Bone Stress Injuries in United States Female Track and Field.\u00a0<em>Journal of Exercise and Nutrition<\/em>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.53520\/jen2025.103192\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.53520\/jen2025.103192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Owens, B.A.<\/strong>, Sabik, N.J., Tovar, A.,\u00a0Ward-Ritacco, C.L., Melanson, K.J., Guerriero, B.S., &amp; Oaks, B.M. (2024) Higher\u00a0Morning\u00a0Cortisol is\u00a0Associated with\u00a0Lower\u00a0Intuitive\u00a0Eating in\u00a0Midlife\u00a0Women.\u00a0<em>Psychoneuroendocrinology<\/em>. 162:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.psyneuen.2024.106958\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.psyneuen.2024.106958<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Lodge, M.T.<\/strong>,\u00a0Ward-Ritacco, C.L.<strong>,<\/strong>\u00a0&amp; Melanson, K.J. (2023). Contributions of Low Carbohydrate Availability (LCA) to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in Female Distance Runners.\u00a0<em>Nutrients<\/em>. 15(20):4457. doi: 10.3390\/nu15204457.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Owens, B.A.<\/strong>, Sabik, N.J., Tovar, A.,\u00a0Ward-Ritacco, C.L., &amp; Oaks, B.M. (2023). Higher\u00a0Intuitive\u00a0Eating is\u00a0Associated with\u00a0Lower\u00a0Adiposity in\u00a0Midlife\u00a0Women.\u00a0<em>Eating Behaviors<\/em>. doi: 0.1016\/j.eatbeh.2023.101796.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pavlidis T.,&nbsp;<\/strong>Mortreux M., Charidemou E. (2026). Nutrition-based-interventions for mitigating space radiation-induced&nbsp;DNA damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis&#8221;&nbsp;<em>Life Sciences in Space Research<\/em>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10\/1016\/j.lssr.2026.04.002\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10\/1016\/j.lssr.2026.04.002<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Santilli, J<\/strong>.,&nbsp;Leedahl, S., Juris, J., Liebermann, E., &amp; McGregor, C.&nbsp;(2026).&nbsp;Advancing digital equity: A qualitative case study using the Implementation Research Logic Model.<em>Implementation Science Communications.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scrivano, R.M., Juris, J., Colvin, M.,&nbsp;<strong>Santilli, J<\/strong>. Jarrott, S.E., &amp;&nbsp;Leedahl, S.N. (2025). Applying the Dynamic Sustainability Framework to evaluate the implementation of an intergenerational technology program in higher education.&nbsp;<em>Innovation in Aging.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tavares, K. L.<\/strong>&nbsp;&amp; Tsotsoros, C. E. (2024). The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and health behaviors in adult women.&nbsp;<em>American Journal of Health Promotion.&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/08901171241229829\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/08901171241229829<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tsotsoros, C. E.,<strong>&nbsp;Pascuzzi, E.<\/strong>, Brasher, M., Capolino, A., Souza, K., Leedahl, S. N. (2024). Pilot testing the engaging generations (eGen) programs to address social well-being among lower-income older adults.&nbsp;<em>Frontiers in Public Health, 12<\/em>.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1341713\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1341713<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tsotsoros, C.,&nbsp;<strong>Pascuzzi, E<\/strong>., Brasher, M., Souza, K., &amp;&nbsp;Leedahl, S.N.(2024).Pilot testing the Engaging Generations (eGen) Program to address social well-being among lower income older adults.&nbsp;<em>Frontiers in Public Health, 12, 1-11.<\/em>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1341713\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1341713<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leedahl, S.N.<strong>,<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Pascuzzi, E<\/strong>., McCurdy, K, &amp; Porto, N. (2023). Beyond employment: Lower-income participants\u2019 experiences in a healthcare training program for medical assistants, pharmacy technicians, and certified nursing assistants.&nbsp;<em>Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences &amp; Practice, 21(3),&nbsp;<\/em>Article 24, 1-13.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/urldefense.com\/v3\/__https:\/\/nsuworks.nova.edu\/ijahsp\/vol21\/iss3\/24\/__;!!Jh1S!k3T4nD5kR49hBJrqtUQg1m1woP7mw2AYKNAoZ7zPgveRvYrlN8CvdPfrA7E6fAUmc0lEh4EXqz5hvSg0PfwL624$\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/nsuworks.nova.edu\/ijahsp\/vol21\/iss3\/24\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leedahl, S.N<strong>.,<\/strong>&nbsp;Souza, K., Capolino, A., Brasher M.,&nbsp;<strong>Pascuzzi, E<\/strong>., Azzinaro, C., Ellison, T.A., Estus, E., &amp; Maigret, M. (2023). Improving technology use, digital competence, and access to community resources among older adult participants in the University of Rhode Island Cyber-Seniors digiAGE Pilot Study.&nbsp;<em>Journal of Elder Policy, 2<\/em>(3), 55-92. doi: 10.18278\/jep.2.3.3<\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"cl-tab \"><h1>News and Events<\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As humans spend longer periods of time in outer space and venture further from Earth, it\u2019s increasingly important for scientists to learn how varied gravity levels affect muscle function and muscle loss, and how those effects can be counteracted or minimized. <strong>Theodoros Pavlidis<\/strong>, a second-year doctoral student who is pursuing a Ph.D. in health sciences with a specialization in nutrition at the University of Rhode Island, is seeking solutions to these challenges by studying compounds in foods. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2026\/10\/nutritional-countermeasures-to-spaceflight-studied-at-uri\/\">Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-separator wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/uri-graduate-student-to-present-ground-breaking-research-on-ingestive-behaviors\/\">Adeleke Justin Akinkurolere<\/a> (NUT, 2029, mentor: <em>Kathleen Melanson<\/em>) was selected as a finalist to participate in the American Society for Nutrition\u2019s Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Poster Competition. The top 10% of ~750 abstract submissions were chosen for this. He will present his research to judges at NUTRITION 2026, an international gathering of nutrition professionals on July 25-28 in National Harbor, Maryland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-separator wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image alignright\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ae2d645279fb&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ae2d645279fb\" class=\"size-third_column wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"364\" height=\"364\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Alex-Larcom-ASN-364x364.jpg\" alt=\"Alexandra Larcom at the podium at Nutrition 2025\" class=\"wp-image-12308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Alex-Larcom-ASN-364x364.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Alex-Larcom-ASN-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Alex-Larcom-ASN-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Alex-Larcom-ASN.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Alexandra Larcom<\/strong> (NUT, 2025, mentor: <em>Kathleen Melanson<\/em>) presented her dissertation work at several conferences in 2025:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the&nbsp;Institution for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) Food Classification Research Roundtable on Processing, Formulation and Nutrition in Washington, DC;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the American Society for Nutrition Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the American Society for Nutrition Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-separator wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image alignleft\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ae2d64528aee&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ae2d64528aee\" class=\"size-third_column wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"364\" height=\"243\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Qisi-Yao-ASN-364x243.jpg\" alt=\"Qisi Yao and Dr. Maya  Vadiveloo\" class=\"wp-image-12309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Qisi-Yao-ASN-364x243.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Qisi-Yao-ASN-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Qisi-Yao-ASN-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Qisi-Yao-ASN.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Qisi Yao<\/strong> (NUT, December 2025, mentor: Maya Vadiveloo) presented her research at the American Heart Association Lifestyle Meeting in March 2026 in Boston, MA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-separator wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image alignright\">\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6ae2d64529b5b&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6ae2d64529b5b\" class=\"size-third_column wp-lightbox-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"364\" height=\"243\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Theo-Pavlidis-3M-2026-364x243.jpg\" alt=\"Theo Pavlidis presenting at the Thesis competition.\" class=\"wp-image-12310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Theo-Pavlidis-3M-2026-364x243.jpg 364w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Theo-Pavlidis-3M-2026-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Theo-Pavlidis-3M-2026-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/969\/Theo-Pavlidis-3M-2026.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Theo Pavlidis<\/strong>, a first-year doctoral student (NUT; mentor: Marie Mortreux) presented his work on nutrition to mitigate space radiation damage (see Publications) in the 2026 3-Minute Thesis competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-separator wp-block-paragraph\">&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Josie Santilli&nbsp;<\/strong>(mentor: Skye&nbsp;Leedahl) presented a poster entitled&nbsp;<em>Progressing from intervention efficacy to practice: How implementation science advances digital literacy success<\/em>&nbsp;at the 2025 Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, MA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Karina Tavares&nbsp;<\/strong>(mentor: Cindy&nbsp;Tsotsoros) presented a poster entitled&nbsp;<em>A Double-Blind Trial to Test if NAD+ Improves Cognition<\/em>&nbsp;at the 2025 Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, MA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the&nbsp;2024 Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting held in Seattle, WA,&nbsp;<strong>Karina Tavares&nbsp;<\/strong>(mentor: Cindy&nbsp;Tsotsoros) presented a poster entitled&nbsp;<em>How Childhood Neglect Affects Later Life Loneliness.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the&nbsp;2023 Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting in&nbsp;Tampa, FL,&nbsp;<strong>Karina<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>Tavares&nbsp;<\/strong>(mentor: Cindy&nbsp;Tsotsoros)&nbsp;presented a paper titled&nbsp;<em>Adverse Childhood Experiences as a Predictor of Health Behaviors in Women.<\/em><\/p>\n\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ph.D. in Health Sciences<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2097,"featured_media":0,"parent":7656,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-8306","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2097"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8306"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12463,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8306\/revisions\/12463"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7656"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/chs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}