School of Health and Human Sciences Research

Improving Quality of Life

We focus on improving the quality of life regionally, nationally and globally by fostering lifelong learners, conducting innovative research and teaching and delivering effective education and outreach. Our faculty work collaboratively to improve individuals’ health and translate scientific discoveries into practice through translational research, discovering through basic research and progress to the clinical level and application.

Crop plants growing in a field with an old wooden barn in the background
Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity Laboratory

Research Focus: To understand how environments and education impact diet and physical activity behaviors of individuals throughout the lifespan, especially among rural populations.
Male person playing boxing game on Nintendo Switch
Behavior, Exercise Adherence and Motivation (BEAM) Lab

Research Focus: The BEAM Lab investigates how psychological and behavioral strategies can enhance motivation to exercise and promote long-term adherence to physical activity. By combining behavioral science with innovative interventions, we aim to shine a light on what helps people stay active for life.
Allison Barry and her two female students standing in front of a fire truck
First Responders Support Training Center

Research Focus: Our center provides occupation-specific resources, showcases a growing network of team members and collaborators and shares updates on research and grant initiatives designed to address the real-world needs of first responders.
Athletic Training students working on ankle wrapping techniques on fellow Athletic Training students
Healthspan Enhancement Through Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL) Lab

Research Focus: Dedicated to improving health span (the years of life lived in good health with strength, mobility and independence), our work focuses on how nutrition, physical activity and targeted exercise interventions can protect against age-related loss of muscle and joint function.
1980s fashion booklet displayed in an exhibit of historic costumes.
Snellman Hsia Collection and Laboratory

Features over 3,000 textiles, clothing items and accessories, including those of the Alice Johnson Reifel Asian Art Collection and the Fisher Costume and Textile Collection. Primarily used by students majoring in apparel merchandising and enrolled in classes such as historic costume, apparel design, aesthetics of dress and ready-to-wear analysis.
Student running on treadmill while oxygen is being tested.
Icon of a microscope
Opportunities
Student Research Opportunities

We encourage students interested in research to reach out to our faculty and discuss the possibility of participating in data collection and analysis for their projects and/or research internships. Internships provide an environment for students to develop research and laboratory skills that will assist them in future careers or graduate school.

Research Publications

Check out our faculty's latest publications.

2025
  • Bastian G.E., Russell J.K., Roe A.J., Rani R. Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Purchasing Frozen, Fresh, Canned and Dried Produce in a Nationally Representative Sample of United States Households. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2025;9:104528. DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.104528.
  • Bastian G.E., Fitzgerald N., Baker S.S., Palmer-Keenan D.M. Validity and Reliability Assessment of a Food and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents From Low-Income Communities. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2025;57(2):120-131. DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2024.10.009.
  • Bott-Knutson R.C., Kotinek J.D., Appel H.M., Hart J.L., Knox P., Radasanu A., Roberts D.M., Nichols T.J., Fine L.E., Ziegler W.L., Bryk M., Sumner S., Budowle R., Cordingley K., Bastian G.E., Roerig N., Stroud A., Garbutt K. . In: Zubizarreta J, Bryan V.M., eds. Where Honors Education and Faculty Development Meet [NCHC Monograph Series]. Lincoln, NE: 2025;57-82.
  • Nichols T.J., Bott-Knutson R.C., Hart J.L., Radasanu A., Kotinek J., Appel H., Garbutt K., Bastian G., Budowle R. Transdisciplinary Experience Engages Students in Wicked Problem of Food Justice. NACTA Journal. 69;1:322-333, 2025. DOI: 10.56103/nactaj.v69i1.258.
  • de Vargas B.O., Vaezi S., Freeling J.L., Zhang Y., Weidauer L., Lee C-L, Zhao J., Dey M. Design and Implementation of the Protein-Distinct Macronutrient-Equivalent Diet (PRODMED) Study: An 18-week Randomized Crossover Feeding Trial Among Free-living Rural Older Adults. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2025;9(5):104588. DOI: 10.1016/j.cdnut.2025.104588.
  • Dhakal S., Hossain M. and Parajuli S. Red Meat Consumption in Higher Healthy Eating Index Diets is Associated with Brain Health Critical Nutritional Adequacy and Fecal Microbial Diversity. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 33428, (2025).
  • Dhakal S., Ghimire N. and Bass S. Association of Habitual Diet Quality and Nutrient Intake with Cognitive Performance in ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients, 17(19), 3139, 2025.
  • Dicks N.D., Ketterling J.J., Wooldridge J.D., Shoemaker M.E., Barry A.M. Evaluating Army Combat Fitness Test Scores: The Influence of Sleep, Nutrition and Body Composition in Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadets. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Dec. 5, 2025. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005285.
  • Nusser V., Murphy C., Hechenbichler Figueroa S., Braunsperger A., Ihalainen J.K., Hulmi J.J., Wasserfurth P., Koehler K. Metabolic Signature of Short-term Low Energy Availability. Physiological Reports. 13(19):e70582, 2025. DOI: 10.14814/phy2.70582.
  • Roiger T.C., Zwart M.B., Brown A.E., Haber H.A., Anderson N.R. . Translational Sprots Medicine. June 7, 2025:1-9. DOI: 10.1155/tsm2/4600636.
  • Romsa K., Jarecke S., Hendricks J.H., Romsa B. The Role and Influence of Faculty as Predictors for Retention and Satisfaction Among Generation Z. Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence. 9(1): 2025. DOI: 10.59620/2644-2132.1161.
  • Dicks N.D., Mahoney S.J., Barry A.M., Christensen B.K., Pettitt R.W., Hackney K.J. The Impact of Critical Speed and Lean Body Mass on Load Carriage Performance for Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadets. Military Medicine, 190:e1799-e1805, 2025. DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usae568.
  • Kutnik P., Ramos Da Silva B.R., Shoemaker M.E., Gonzalez Barbosa-Silva T., Gonzalez M.C., Lobo D.N., Prado C. Enhancing Health Outcomes Through Optimized Body Composition in Prehabilitation. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 10:1-10. 2025. DOI: 10.1159/000545026.
  • Vaezi S., Freeling J.L., de Vargas B.O., Weidauer L., Shoemaker M.E., Sanders W.M., Dey M. Impacts of Minimally Processed Omnivorous vs. Lacto-ovo-vegetarian Diets on Insulin Sensitivity, Lipid Profile and Adiposity in Older Adults: Secondary Findings from a Randomized Crossover Feeding Trial. Clinical Nutrition. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2025.10.010.
2024
  • Romsa B., Romsa K., Lim J. and Ampaire A. (2024). Analysis of Factors Influencing the College Choice Decisions of NCAA Division I International Student-athletes. , 24, ISSN: 1543-9518.
  • Bastian G.E. Exploring Sociodemographic and Chronic Disease Factors Associated with Chronic, Seasonal, Intramonthly and Intermittent Presentations of Food Security Instability. (2024). Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 124(6):686-699. DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.12.002.
  • Coapstick G.J.A., Barry A.M. and Shoemaker M.E. . Journal of Exercise and Nutrition. 2024;7(1). DOI: 10.53520/jen2024.103168.
  • Shoemaker M.E., Dicks N.D., Northrup M.J., Daughters S.W., Krings T.N., Barry A.M. . Nutrients. 2024: 16(12);1896. DOI: 10.3390/nu16121896.
  • Coapstick G.J.A., Barry A.M., Levesque C. and Shoemaker M.E. Nutrient Intake, Performance and Body Composition in Preseason Wrestlers. International Journal of Exercise Science. 2024; 17(2):517-530, PMID: 38665328; PMCID: PMC11042858.
  • Shoemaker M.E., Smith C.M., Gillen Z.M. and Cramer J.T. . Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2024; 38(2):340-348. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004619.
  • Zhang Y., Saha K., Nandini R., Yuan J., Dey M. and Gu Z. 2024.. Food Science and Nutrition: 12:7842-7853, 2024. DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4296.
  • Olson L., Dey M. and Weaver E. (2024). . Journal of Animal Science, Volume 102, Issue Supplement_2, May 2024, Pages 181-182, DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae102.200.
  • Leonard A. and Christensen C. (2024). . International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics and Aerospace, 11(4). DOI: 10.58940/2374-6793.1939.
  • Brin H.N., Sigmund B.G., Dicks N.D., DeShaw K.J., Walch T.J., Carper M.J., Barry A.M. The Effects of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) on the Perceptions of Exercise in Middle-aged Females: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Exercise Science, 17(5) 1392-1405, 2024.
  • Gillen Z.M., Shoemaker M.E., Cramer J.T. . Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise. 2024. DOI: 10.1007/s42978-024-00319-3.
Faculty
Contact Us
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School of Health and Human Sciences
Physical Address
1060 Campanile Ave.
Brookings, SD 57007
Mailing Address
Wagner Hall 425, Box 2275A
Brookings, SD 57007
Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.