LAB MEMBERS

Dr. Katie Potter, Lab Director

Education:

  • BA, Psychology, SUNY New Paltz

  • MS, Kinesiology, UNC Greensboro

  • PhD, Exercise science, University of South Carolina

  • Postdoc, Cardiovascular behavioral medicine, The Miriam Hospital/Brown Medical School

 

Research Interests:

  • Exercise motivation and adherence

  • Stealth health interventions

  • Physical and psychosocial benefits of the human-dog bond

  • Mental and cognitive benefits of physical activity and exercise

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Affiliations: American College of Sports Medicine, Society of Behavioral Medicine

Caitlin Rajala, Graduate Student

Education:

  • BA, English Major, Dance Minor, Mount Holyoke College

  • MSc, Dance Science and Education, University of Edinburgh, Edinburg, Scotland

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Research Interests:

  • Physical activity in relation to chronic illness management

  • Autoimmune disorders, mental illness, and cognitive decline

  • Physical and psychosocial benefits of alternative/stealth physical activity interventions

Mary Zeng, Lab Assistant

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  • Mary is a Kinesiology and Public Health Major. Her interests and hobbies include playing racquetball, cooking, and painting.

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Grace McCarthy, Undergrad Student

  • Grace is a bilogy major minoring in psychology. Her interests and hobbies are being a Boston sports fan, baking, and meeting as many dogs as possible!​

Caroline Garvey, Graduate Student

Education:

• B.S kinesiology Umass Amherst 

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Research Interests:

• Human/animal relationships and it’s effect on physical activity and mental health 

• Physical activity effects on adults with ADHD 

Dr. Laura B. Balzer, Biostatistician

  • Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, University of Massachusetts Amherst 

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Website: https://www.balzerlab.com/

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#DogsAndDAGS

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