Spring 2016 Newsletter
STRIDE Thanks Aydin Nazmi For Three Years of Leadership and Dedication
The faculty, students and entire STRIDE, now renamed to Center for Health Research, community would like to thank Aydin Nazmi, who served as STRIDE’s interim director during 2013-14 and director from 2014-16. During his time as director, STRIDE accomplished a tremendous amount. A few highlights include: achieving universitywide center status, initiating a seed grant opportunity for faculty conducting research related to STRIDE’s mission, establishing a collaborative project with faculty, students and community members at Vanderbilt University to deliver and assess the Pink and Dude Chefs program, and hosting the Cal Poly-UC Berkeley Obesity Symposium.
Kinesiology Professor Named New STRIDE Director
Kinesiology Professor Suzanne Phelan began a three-year term as director of STRIDE in summer 2016. Phelan joined the kinesiology faculty in 2008. She is a clinical health psychologist whose research focuses on promoting weight loss and preventing weight gain in a variety of settings. Currently, she is exploring interventions to prevent pregnancy-associated weight gain and obesity.
Farewell Letter from Aydin Nazmi
Dear STRIDE family:
Anicca is the Buddhist doctrine that refers to the impermanence of all things. As my time as director of STRIDE nears an end, I am reminded that everything passes in due course. In June, I will be passing the baton to Suzanne Phelan, a capable researcher at Cal Poly, who will be running with the momentum we have generated to forge a new phase of development at STRIDE.
STRIDE Researchers Find Cafeteria Layout Affects Veggie and Fruit Consumption
Adding creative signage and changing the way food is displayed resulted in students at two Paso Robles elementary schools eating more fruits and veggies, STRIDE staff learned after conducting research at the two campus cafeterias. The research project is part of a United States Department of Agriculture grant subcontracted through the County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department.
STRIDE Students Start Fall Prevention Program for Local Seniors
Residents at The Villages, a senior living community in San Luis Obispo, are piloting a new fall prevention program designed by STRIDE students. Every Monday and Wednesday morning, kinesiology students lead participants in strengthening exercises in hopes of decreasing falls. Seniors face a higher risk of falling because of the physical and cognitive decline that can happen as people age.
More News
STRIDE Welcomes Two New Student Employees
A big STRIDE welcome to Nina Heintz and Kory Bettencourt. As PR media and graphics coordinator, Heintz will be making STRIDE promotional materials and helping update the Center’s website and create the newsletter. Bettencourt, incoming Assessment Team program coordinator, will be running A-Team programming.
Read more about Heintz and Bettencourt ›
Three STRIDE Students Nominated for Outstanding Work
Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong honored more than 50 nominees, including three from STRIDE, for the Outstanding Student Employee of the Year Award, calling them “the best of the best.” The president celebrated the students at a ceremony in April and cited their strong work ethic and dependability.