Research statement
My research interests center on health promotion, physical activity, health literacy, and chronic disease prevention, with a particular focus on addressing health disparities among African American populations. Throughout my graduate education, my research agenda has evolved from studying human performance and exercise physiology to exploring behavioral and public health approaches that improve long-term health outcomes.
During my master's program, I completed and published my thesis, Minimalist Style Boot Improves Running but Not Walking Economy in Trained Men. This study examined the effects of footwear design on walking and running efficiency and found that lighter, minimalist-style military boots improved running economy in trained men. The findings contributed to the growing body of research on minimalist footwear and provided practical implications for military personnel and occupations requiring high levels of physical performance.
As I progressed through my doctoral studies in Exercise Science and Health Promotion, my interests expanded beyond exercise performance and toward health promotion and behavior change. This shift led me to conduct a systematic review titled, A Systematic Review Examining the Impact of Wellness Coaching on Weight Management, Quality of Life, and Selected Psychological Factors. The review demonstrated that health and wellness coaching can positively influence dietary behaviors, physical activity participation, and chronic disease self-management. At the same time, it identified a need for additional research examining the impact of wellness coaching on quality of life and psychological outcomes.
Building on these experiences, my future research will focus on chronic disease prevention and management within African American communities. As an African American researcher, I am particularly interested in addressing the disproportionate burden of conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. My planned research will examine the relationship between health literacy and exercise adherence, evaluate culturally tailored physical activity interventions for hypertension management, and explore the role of physical activity in reducing health disparities among African Americans. Additionally, I am interested in developing and validating a culturally relevant physical activity health literacy toolkit designed to improve awareness, knowledge, and engagement in health-promoting behaviors.
Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to the development of culturally responsive, evidence-based interventions that empower African American adults to better manage their health and reduce chronic disease risk. Through this work, I hope to advance health equity while promoting sustainable lifestyle behaviors that improve overall quality of life.
SEACSM 2019 - Poster Presentation (Master Student Award Nominee)
Minimalist Style Boot Improves Loaded Running Economy
M.T. Pace, J.C. Swain, D.W. Sharp, R. T. Albino, J.M. Green, L.G. Killen, H. Chander, J.D. Simpson, and E.K. O’Neal.
Research Experience
Conference & Professional Presentations
M.T. Pace. “Minimalist Style Boot Improves Running but not Walking Economy in Trained Males.” Presented at ASAHPERD Fall Conference, November 2019
Participated in the College & University 3 Minute Thesis Competition. “Minimalist Style Boot Improves Running Economy.” Placed 2ndin College competition, April 2019
M.T. Pace, J.C. Swain, D.W. Sharp, R. T. Albino, J.M. Green, L.G. Killen, H. Chander, J.D. Simpson, and E.K. O’Neal. “Minimalist Style Boot improves Loaded Running Economy” Southeastern ACSM Annual Meeting, February 2019: Greenville, SC. Finalist Master Student Research Award
D.W. Sharp, M.T. Pace, J.C. Swain, R.T. Albino, J.M. Green, L.G. Killen, H Chandler, J. D. Simpson, E.K. O’Neal. Minimalist Style Military Boot does not improve Walking Economy Under Load in Trained Males. Southeastern ACSM Annual Meeting. February 2019: Greenville, SC.
M.T. Pace. “The Transition from Undergraduate to Graduate Student: Student Perspective.” Presented at ASAHPERD Fall Conference, November 2018
J.C. Swain, B.L. Miller, M.T. Pace, R.K. Lowell, J.D. Simpson, A.C. Knight, & H. Chander. “Impact of Minimalist Footwear Type and Fatigue on Balance.” Poster presentation submitted for doctoral student research award at Southeast ACSM Annual Meeting, February 2017.
B.L. Miller, J.D. Simpson, J.C. Swain, M.T. Pace, R.K. Lowell, Z. Pan, A.C. Knight, & H. Chander. “Effect of Minimalist Footwear and Fatigue on Static Balance.” Poster presentation submitted for doctoral student research award at Southeast ACSM Annual Meeting, February 2017. (presented at SEACSM)
SEACSM 2017, 2019
