Health and Human Science Matters

Struggling to figure out how much sleep your body actually needs? You’re not alone. Although sleep is among the strongest predictors of long-term health, 38% of Americans sleep less than 7 hours each night . In this episode of Health and Human Science Matters, Dr. Josiane Broussard, director of CSU’s Sleep and Metabolism Lab with the Department of Health and Exercise Science, breaks down the resea...

Colorado State University former Provost and Executive Vice President, Dr. Marion K. Underwood, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss the importance and value of higher education, how universities can innovatively integrate AI, and her academic and administrative journey. Learn more about Dr. Underwood on her bio page!

Dr. Cassandra Moseley, Vice President for Research at Colorado State University, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss her expansive research and administrative career during which she specialized in Forest and climate policy, public lands governance, and sustainable rural development, and how her journey led her to CSU. Learn more about Dr. Moseley on her bio page!

On this episode, Matt and Avery sit down with Dr. James Folkestad, University Distinguished Teaching Scholar, professor, and director of the Center for the Analytics of Learning and Teaching in the School of Education at Colorado State University. Dr. Folkestad discusses his data-driven, innovative research, and UBehavior, a learning tool that empowers students to improve their performance and enr...

Dr. Laura Swink, assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University, speaks with Matt and Avery about her research optimizing novel rehabilitation interventions to promote meaningful participation in everyday life, and to help individuals multi-task while reducing fall risk. Learn more about Dr. Swink on her bio page!

Dr. Kaigang Li, assistant professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Science, speaks with Matt and Avery about his research that covers a wide array of interventions to improve physical wellbeing for young adults, from driving safety and limiting risky driving behavior to biophilic design. Learn more about Dr. Li on his bio page!

Dr. John Wilson, assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, speaks with Matt and Avery about his research on traditional fermentation techniques, the communal nature of fermentation, and how to use science to diversify modern food processing techniques. Learn more about Dr. Wilson on his bio page!

Dr. Jain Kwon, assistant professor in the Department of Design and Merchandising at Colorado State University, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss her research in the Spatial Perception and Cognitive Experience laboratory and her use of technology and evidence-based design theory to optimize people's experiences in the built environment. Learn more about Dr. Kwon on her bio page!

Dr. Anne Williford, associate professor in the School of Social Work at Colorado State University, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss her research to identify effective prevention and intervention strategies to mitigate risk and promote positive behavioral health outcomes in youth. Learn more about Dr. Williford on her bio page!

Dr. Ana Gutierrez-Colina, assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss her research goal to improve the health of minoritized youth who are disproportionally affected by chronic stressors and adversity, with a specific focus on Hispanic youth and families living in rural areas. Learn more about...

Dr. Mahmoud Shakouri, assistant professor and director of the Cement and Concrete Research Laboratory in Colorado State University's Department of Construction Management, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss his research seeking sustainable materials and methods within the construction industry, specifically eco-friendly concrete and cement solutions. Learn more about Dr. Shakouri on his bio...

On the season six premiere of Health and Human Science Matters, Matt and Avery sit down with Ph. D. candidates and 2024 CHHS Dean’s Doctoral Fellowship recipients, Ross Atkinson from the School of Education, Maureen Walsh from the Department of Health and Exercise Science, and Megan Moran from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University. The doctoral student...

Colorado State University’s 16th President Amy Parsons joins Matt and Avery to discuss her journey from studying political science as an undergraduate at CSU and pursuing her law degree, to becoming the university’s president. During the conversation, President Parsons emphasized the importance of CSU as a modern land-grant university and its role to serve students, faculty, staff, and our communi...

On this special episode of Health and Human Science Matters, Matt and Avery sit down with Ph. D. candidates and CHHS Dean’s Doctoral Fellowship recipients, Mohammad Teymouri from the Department of Construction Management, Elliot Graham from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Heidi Tseng from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. The three doctoral students sh...

Dr. Mohammed Mehany, associate professor in Colorado State University's Department of Construction Management, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss his fascinating, cross-cultural journey from Cairo, Egypt to Colorado and his research studying more sustainable infrastructure and mental health in the construction industry. Learn more about Dr. Mehany on his bio page!

Dr. Karyn Hamilton, professor in Colorado State University's Department of Health and Exercise Science, associate director for the Columbine Health Systems Center of Healthy Aging, and director of the Translational Research on Aging and Chronic Disease Lab, speaks with Matt and Avery about her integrative approach to studying age-associated chronic diseases. Learn more about Dr. Hamilton on her bi...

Dr. Sarah A. Johnson, registered dietician nutritionist and associate professor in Colorado State University's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, speaks with Matt and Avery about her research on functional foods - such as blueberries and microgreens - to benefit human health across the lifespan. Learn more about Dr. Johnson on her bio page!

Dr. Paula Alaszkiewicz, assistant professor in Colorado State University's Department of Design and Merchandising and curator of the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising, speaks with Matt and Avery about her research and creative scholarship exploring the structures, spaces, and practices of exhibiting fashion and historic textiles. Learn more about Dr. Alaszkiewicz on her bio page!

Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch, assistant professor and director of the Serious Illness and End-of-Life Narratives Research Lab in Colorado State University's School of Social Work, speaks with Matt and Avery about her research to uncover the disparities in access to health care and mental health services for young adults with advanced cancer and terminal illnesses. Learn more about Dr. Currin-McCulloch...

Dr. Lauren Shomaker, associate professor and director of the Adolescent Wellness Team in Colorado State University's Department of Human Development and Family Studies, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss her research on optimizing mental and physical health for adolescents and her role as a mentor to early-career scholars. Learn more about Dr. Shomaker on her bio page!

Dr. Andy Persch, associate professor in Colorado State University's Department of Occupational Therapy and director of the Transition, Employment, and Technology Lab, speaks to Matt and Avery about his research focused on improving the transition to adulthood and employment among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He also discusses the Vocational Fit Assessment and VocFi...

Dr. Susana Muñoz, associate professor and coordinator of the Higher Education Leadership doctoral specialization in Colorado State University's School of Education, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss her journey through academia and her research on college persistence, access, equity, and identity development for undocumented Latinx college students. Learn more about Dr. Muñoz on her bio pag...

Dr. Mehmet E. Ozbek, professor in Colorado State University's Department of Construction Management and holder of the Joseph Phelps Endowed Chair, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss his research in sustainable infrastructure, construction asset management, and the future of the built environment. Learn more about Dr. Ozbek on his bio page!

Dr. Kari Dockendorff, an assistant professor in Colorado State University's School of Education, sits down with Matt and Avery to discuss their research critically examining the trans* student experience by developing survey tools that measure trans* inclusive behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge of staff in their interactions with trans* students. Learn more about Dr. Dockendorff on their bio page...

Dr. Michelle Foster, a professor in Colorado State University's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice within CSU's College of Health and Human Sciences joins Matt and Avery to discuss her higher education journey, her research studying obesity and energy, and her most recent venture advocating for inclusion as assistant dean...