Primary Investigator
Eric Wickel, PhD
Dr. Wickel is the primary investigator of the Physical Behavior Research Hub – a collaborative hub focused on exploring associations involving physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep with health outcomes Wickel’s research in this area has been published in scientific publications and presented at national and international conferences. Current research projects funded by the American Heart Association and the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology provide unique opportunities for students and collaborators to advance physical behavior research.
Dr. Wickel is a passionate fan of his family, a life-long optimist, and perhaps the luckiest person on Earth.
Research Assistants
Dineshi Abeyagunawardene
Major: Exercise Sports Science
Minors: Computer Science & Biomedical Engineering
Future plans: Pursue a career in medicine
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The increasing prevalence and growing focus on mental health and its implications is something I find both important and fascinating. As a student studying Exercise and Sports Science, the OCAST project has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the field and its applications to society. I’m currently working on a publication using compositional data analysis to explore the significance of physical behavior and its connection to mental health.
Annie Hoover
Majors: Biochemistry and Spanish
Future plans: Medical School
Hobbies/Interests: Running, collaging, trivia & music
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While college students may not regularly think about heart health, decisions they make on a daily basis will directly contribute to their heart health in the future. I think it is important to not only recognize factors that affect heart health, but also to use the information gathered to educate young people so that they can start taking preventive steps against CVD.
Bhavya Krishnan
Major: Exercise and Sports Science
Minor: Health Sciences
Future plans: I’m aspiring to become a physician!
Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy being active by going to the lifting, playing soccer, and going to workout classes. I also love doing nails and traveling.
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Cardiovascular health is essential to living a long, healthy life. I want to investigate how different factors affect CVD risk to help inform my future patients, as well as my friends and family. I’m also exploring the specialty I want to go into, so the AHA project will give me insight into the research that informs the field of cardiology.
Evelyn Smucker
Major: Exercise and Sports Science
Minor: Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Future plans: Graduate school to earn my doctorate in Dietetics
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, going out dancing, working out & cooking
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When it comes to health, I’m interested in finding the root cause of problems, not just addressing the symptoms. I’m passionate about lifestyle and being intentional about every habit in order to optimize one’s health, so getting to see real-time data and analyze potential causes of cardiovascular disease in Oklahoma is exciting. There are so many different directions and areas of emphasis that can be explored, and I’m looking forward to seeing the direction the AHA project goes and the approach we get to take to bring awareness to our community.
Morgan Tefft
Major: Biology (Spanish Minor)
Future plans: I want to be a physician, hopefully either a dermatologist or a gastroenterologist
Hobbies/Interests: I am avid hiker, thrifter, concert-goer, gym-goer, and match enthusiast
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I am interested in the AHA project because the lifestyle aspect of cardiovascular health is very important to me.
External Consultants
June & Leonard
Major: Quadrupedal locomotion
Future plans: Veterinary medicine
Hobbies/Interests: Napping and eating treats