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Previous IPARC Fellows

Michael Edwards (Advisor - Bocarro/Kanters)
PhD Graduate

Dr. Edwards was a research assistant with IPARC and a recipient of a Robert Wood Johnson dissertation grant. Dr. Edwards' dissertation examined institutional and community systems that influence the provision of physical activity opportunities among middle school students. Dr. Edwards is currently an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University in the Recreation, Parks and Tourism Sciences Department.

Ben Hickerson (Advisor - Henderson)
PhD Graduate

Dr. Hickerson was a research assistant with IPARC and a recipient of an FRPD grant to conduct his dissertation research. Dr. Hickerson' dissertation examined the individual, social, environmental and organizational factors that were associated with children's physical activity levels within summer camps. Dr. Hickerson is currently an Assistant Professor at Penn State University in the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Management Department.

Liana Dern (Advisor - Bocarro)
Master's Graduate

Liana was a research assistant with IPARC and North Carolina Senior Games. Liana's master's thesis examined children's perceptions of aging, specifically among children who have physically active grandparents. Liana currently works for the Carteret County Parks & Recreation Department.

Larissa Witmer (Advisor - Bocarro)
Master's Graduate

Larissa was a research assistant with IPARC. She was involved with a variety of IPARC projects including the 2008 Active Recreation Counts Summit. Her primary area of interest was leisure and health, and more specifically, physical activity and eating behaviors. Her thesis research involved conducting focus groups with inactive middle school girls to explore their perceptions of physical activity and eating. Larissa is currently the Project Manager at the Penn State Survey Research Center.