My research interests are in three major areas: Motivational Interviewing and behavior change, health behavior theory (Transtheoretical Model in particular) and designing fitness and nutrition programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Currently, my research focuses on using Motivational Interviewing and wellness coaching strategies to support behavior change in individuals and groups. My colleagues and I implemented and evaluated a brief, MI-based training program for third-year medical residents to use in a simulated patient lab with initial positive outcomes. I am also creating an MI-based Student Success training program for academic advisors and peer mentors as they work with at-risk college students. My research on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) culminated in a series of published systematic literature reviews, in which I evaluated the TTM as applied to the following areas: tobacco use, cancer screening behavior, dietary behavior and exercise behavior. My research in the area of creating fitness and nutrition programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is ongoing and is unique in that it also involves the caregiver as a recipient of the programs. My colleagues and I have created a model for both fitness programming that is appropriate for people with IDD and a model for family-based nutrition counseling which uses a Motivational Interviewing strategy.