UD Health Behavior & Nutrition Sciences

This week we’re celebrating our incredible PhD, master’s, and 4+1 students who are the heart of our community!

Your dedication to research, learning, and community does not go unnoticed. We’re grateful for all that you do to advance the field of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences.

Please join us in congratulating Mary Webb on successfully defending her doctoral dissertation! 🎉

Her dissertation, “Influences of Phthalate Exposure on Cardiometabolic Health and Potentially Protective Dietary Strategies,” examined how environmental exposures, particularly phthalates, impact cardiometabolic health across the life course and explored how nutrition, especially antioxidant-rich dietary patterns, may help mitigate these effects.

We would also like to extend a special thank you to her advisor, Dr. Melissa Melough, and her committee members for their guidance, mentorship, and support throughout this process.

This is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to her dedication, rigor, and meaningful contributions to the field. We are so proud of all she has achieved and look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work.

Congratulations, Mary! 🎓👏

Congratulations to Lia McNulty, HBNS PhD student, on being awarded the Raymond A. Weiss Research Endowment Grant from the American College of Sports Medicine! 🎉

This prestigious and competitive award will support her dissertation research, “Co-Designed mHealth Intervention to Enhance Physical Activity and Psychosocial Health in Families with Autistic Youth.”

We also recognize her advisor, Dr. Daehyoung Lee, for his mentorship and guidance throughout this work.

Well done, Lia! 👏

Last week, we wrapped up our donation drive, and we are so grateful for the incredible support! 🐾💙

Thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thank you to our student organization GoHBNS for helping make this possible. Because of your generosity, we were able to collect a wonderful assortment of items to donate to Humane Animal Partners. Every contribution helps provide care, comfort, and support for animals in need.

We feel so fortunate to be part of a community that leads with kindness and generosity. Thank you to everyone who donated and supported this effort. Your contributions make such a meaningful difference.

The Department of HBNS is incredibly proud of our students for their outstanding work showcased at CHS Research Day. Their dedication to scientific inquiry, innovation, and advancing health-related research reflects the strength and impact of our program.

Congratulations to our HBNS poster award winners:
🏅 Liam McArdle – 2nd Place, Doctorate Level
🏅 Lia McNulty – 4th Place, Doctorate Level

We commend all students for their hard work and commitment to excellence—your contributions represent the future of health science research.

Welcome back, Devon Tapp!

Tapp returns to the University of Delaware as an assistant professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences and director of the Health Coaching program — a true full-circle moment for this Double Del.

She was a student-athlete on the Delaware Rowing team, earned her master’s in health promotion, and recently completed her doctorate at Thomas Jefferson University.

Now she’s bringing her passion for health and wellness to UD students — inside the classroom, and out in the community.

Learn more about her journey from student to assistant professor ⬇️

🔗 https://brnw.ch/21wZflv

HBNS faculty Jen Thorpe and Steve Goodwin are currently leading UD students on a study abroad program in South Africa.

So far, students have visited the Ann van Dyk Cheetah Centre, where they learned about wildlife conservation and saw animals including cheetahs, zebras, and hyenas. They also volunteered at two local orphanages, participated in a rugby clinic, and explored the Lesedi Cultural Centre—learning about five African tribes, watching traditional dances, and enjoying a traditional dinner.