Alyssa Martin, a senior studying integrative biology, worked with Naiman Khan, an assistant professor in the Neuroscience Program, the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, and the Division of Nutritional Sciences, on a comprehensive literature review of school-based physical activity, nutrition, and social-emotional programming to inform future programming at Champaign Unit 4 School District.
The Body Composition & Nutritional Neuroscience Laboratory aims to understand the interactions between lifestyle behaviors and cognition to develop strategies preventing obesity. Khan sees this project contributing to improved brain health in the community. “The results of Alyssa’s work this summer will provide valuable recommendations for the community, particularly schools, interested in summer programming to improve children’s cognitive health in the summer and to optimize achievement throughout the school year.”
To Martin, the most meaningful part of this experience was being involved in all sides of research, as she had been mainly involved in data collection in the past. “I am glad to have had the unique experience as an undergraduate to participate in the preliminary planning and the educational outreach side of research. I enjoyed having the ability to communicate directly with varying researchers and learning from them.”
Learn more about the project by watching Alyssa Martin’s research lightning talk.
