Leadership Team
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Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of Coordinating Center leadership plus CDC personnel from the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. The Executive Committee performs and oversees the day to day activities of PAPREN and ensures PAPREN goals are achieved. 

The Coordinating Center is a joint effort between the Prevention Research Center at the UMass Chan Medical School and the Policy, Practice, and Prevention Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The primary role of the Coordinating Center is to build a vibrant Network by maintaining active communications, supporting Work Groups, and making new tools and other resources available to the Network. The Coordinating Center is also responsible for conducting the PAPREN applied evaluation project and ensuring PAPREN’s goals are accomplished.

Coordinating Center Leadership
Stephenie C. Lemon, PhD
Stephenie C. Lemon, PhD
Principal Investigator
UMass Chan Medical School
Jamie F. Chriqui, PhD, MHS
Jamie F. Chriqui, PhD, MHS
Principal Investigator
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and the UIC Policy, Practice and Prevention Research Center
Karin Valentine Goins, MPH
Karin Valentine Goins, MPH
Program Director
UMass Chan Medical School
508-856-5675
CDC Advisors
The primary role of the CDC Advisors is to ensure alignment of PAPREN activities with CDC DNPAO priorities and other funded programs. 
Ken Rose, MPA
Ken Rose, MPA
Chief, Physical Activity and Health Branch
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
David Brown, PhD, FACSM
David Brown, PhD, FACSM
Technical Advisor
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Jennifer L. Matjasko, PhD MPP
Jennifer L. Matjasko, PhD MPP
Senior Scientific Advisor
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
External Advisory Committee
Our External Advisory Committee is five individuals with extensive expertise in areas pertaining to the PAPREN focus areas. These individuals represent highly respected non-academic and academic organizations that have expertise in public health, transportation, or land use planning. The External Advisory Committee meets 2 times per year and is responsible for helping to recruit and retain Network members, providing input on the Work Groups, assisting with Network Communications and Dissemination Activities, informing content and format of the annual PAPREN meeting, and providing input on evaluation metrics and continuous improvement efforts.
Steering Committee

The Steering Committee includes Executive Committee members and at least one co-chair from each PAPREN Work Group. The Steering Committee meets 4 times per year and provides guidance to the Executive Committee on activities, helps recruit and retain Network members, and ensures Work Group activities align with the PAPREN goals and focus areas.

Rural Active Living
Cynthia Perry, PhD, FNP-BC, FAHA
Cynthia Perry, PhD, FNP-BC, FAHA
School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University
Renée Umstattd Meyer, PhD, MCHES, FAAHB
Renée Umstattd Meyer, PhD, MCHES, FAAHB
Baylor University Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
Christiaan Abildso, PhD, MPH
Christiaan Abildso, PhD, MPH
West Virginia University School of Public Health
Transportation Policy and Planning
Angie Cradock, ScD, MPE
Angie Cradock, ScD, MPE
Prevention Research Center on Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Karin Valentine Goins, MPH (PAPREN Program Director)
Karin Valentine Goins, MPH (PAPREN Program Director)
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Equity and Inclusion
Sandra Echevarria, PhD, MPH
Sandra Echevarria, PhD, MPH
University of North Carolina
Jana Hirsch, MES, PhD
Jana Hirsch, MES, PhD
Drexel University School of Public Health
Jamie F. Chriqui, PhD, MHS (PAPREN co-Principal Investigator)
Jamie F. Chriqui, PhD, MHS (PAPREN co-Principal Investigator)
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and the UIC Policy, Practice and Prevention Research Center
Worksite (active travel)
Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH
Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Laurie Whitsel, PhD, FAHA (PAPREN EAC)
Laurie Whitsel, PhD, FAHA (PAPREN EAC)
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Parks and Green Space
Sandy Slater, PhD, MS
Sandy Slater, PhD, MS
Concordia University Wisconsin
Jeanette Gustat, PhD, MPH
Jeanette Gustat, PhD, MPH
Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Richard W. Christiana, PhD
Richard W. Christiana, PhD
Appalachian State University
School Wellness
Erin Hager, PhD
Erin Hager, PhD
Johns Hopkins University
Juliana Cohen
Juliana Cohen
Merrimack College

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