Category: Faculty Partner Research

Kristine Marceau – Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with higher levels of child psychopathology from early childhood through adolescence. Findings from a large U.S. cohort show that prenatal tobacco exposure is linked to both overall symptom severity and a tendency toward more externalizing problems, with few differences across age or sex.

Heather Eicher-Miller – A 2026 study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examines how proposed changes to SNAP, specifically expanded work requirements and the elimination of SNAP-Ed, could influence food security, diet quality, and public health in the United States. The research highlights how income instability, employment disruptions, and reduced access to nutrition education may impact families’ access to nutritious food, with potential trade-offs for health outcomes. These findings provide timely insights for understanding the connections between program design, nutrition, and overall well-being.

Breanya Hogue – Strengthening reading motivation is key to helping K–12 students become independent readers. This brief highlights strategies for educators and caregivers, including offering student choice, building engaging reading environments, and modeling reading habits at school and at home. These approaches support sustained reading engagement and long-term literacy development.

Xinran Lehto – A new publication examines destination experience design and management practices, offering insights into how tourism destinations can shape visitor experiences. The work highlights strategies for creating meaningful, well-designed travel experiences and contributes to research in tourism planning and hospitality management.

Leanne Nieforth – Educators report positive outcomes from school visiting dog programs, including improved student focus, social connection, and safe human-animal interactions. Involvement in planning and predictable visits enhance program success.

Leanne Nieforth – A study in a veterinary college examined the impact of a dogs-at-work program on staff wellbeing and resilience. While participants and non-participants showed similar overall mental health outcomes, staff who engaged with the program reported increased social interaction, improved mental health, and opportunities for physical activity. Findings suggest that workplace dog programs may support resilience through interpersonal, environmental, and regulatory benefits.

Meingold Chan is uncovering how culture and behavior interact with biology to shape children’s development at the cellular level. By connecting social-emotional experiences with epigenetic processes, this work offers new insight into how early environments can influence long-term health and well-being. The research highlights the importance of integrating social, cultural and biological perspectives to better understand human development and inform more effective interventions.

Maria Marshall – A Purdue Agricultural Economics Report introduces the Caring Stress Index as a way to better understand caregiving-related strain across Indiana and the Midwest. Using regional survey data, the index captures how caregiving responsibilities affect emotional, physical, and financial well-being, offering new insights into community health and support needs across rural and urban populations.

Zoe Taylor – A mixed-methods study of rural Latine students in the Midwest reveals how language proficiency, executive functioning, and behavioral challenges shape academic outcomes. Findings show that behavioral difficulties linked to language barriers and social stress can hinder learning, while strong executive functioning supports academic success. The study underscores the need for culturally responsive, bilingual interventions that foster resilience and mental health for Latine youth.

Ellen Ernst Kossek – New research shows that formal work–family policies alone are not enough to close gender career gaps. By fostering a workplace climate that values employees’ personal lives, organizations can reduce personal life stigma and improve retention and promotion outcomes for women.