August 27, 2008

The Maryland Cooperative Extension and the Department of Family Science in the School of Public Health seek a Research Associate for a contractual appointment beginning in the fall of 2008. This non-tenure track faculty member will provide leadership of statewide family science programming and research within the Maryland Cooperative Extension (MCE), including instruction of one undergraduate course in the Department of Family Science (FMSC). This is a 11-month appointment (year 1) with the possibility of renewal for an additional 12-month term. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in family science, human development, child development, human ecology, or related field is required. For more information contact: Dr. Kevin Roy, Professor, Department of Family Science, School of Public Health, 1204 Marie Mount Hall, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20742, kroy@umd.edu.

August 8, 2008

Dr. Sandra Hofferth, Professor of Family Science and Director of the Maryland Population Research Center, has been elected Vice-President Elect of the Population Association of America (PAA). The term of Vice President Elect begins in January 2009; Dr. Hofferth will become Vice President in January 2010. The PAA is a scientific organization of professionals working in the population field to promote research and education on population issues. Dr. Hofferth works with the PAA using quantitative and qualitative data to research problems within the human population and to disseminate these results through a variety of national venues.   Read More >

August 7, 2008

Regina Davis, a Ph.D. student in Family Science's Maternal and Child Health program, was recently awarded a 2008-2009 Tylenol Scholarship. This scholarship program, now in its 16th year, presents scholarships to university students who are pursuing health-related careers and who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and outstanding leadership of community and school activities. Regina is now serving as the program manager for the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Foundation's Health Education and Active Learning (H.E.A.L.) Academy, which will launch an after-school health education program for African-American girls in Baltimore's Park Heights community this fall. A partnership of BET and the Aetna Foundation, this multi-level, interactive intervention will teach girls ages 10-18 to make healthy lifestyle choices and empower them to become active health advocates for policy changes in their schools, neighborhoods, and families. The program will include comprehensive physical activity and nutrition education sessions, an innovative educational web site, local obesity prevention public service announcements, and activities for advocating change in public policy.

July 18, 2008

Dr. Cheng Shuang Ji, a 2007 graduate of the Family Science Ph.D. program, has accepted a position as a Research Instructor in the Department of Oncology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She will be working with her mentor, Dr. Wenchi-Liang, on a NIH-funded project to promote communication between physicians and Chinese patients about colorectal cancer prevention. Dr. Ji has also worked with the District of Columbia Public Schools to increase Asian immigrant parents' contact with their children's schools. Her article, "Parental Involvement in Children's Education: An Exploratory Study of Urban Chinese Immigrant Families" (co-authored by Dr. Sally Koblinsky), was recently accepted for publication in the journal, Urban Education.

July 18, 2008

Dr. Elaine Anderson and Dr. Bonnie Braun are collecting data this summer for their Rural Families Eat for Health project, funded by the Maryland Agricultural Extension Service. The two FMSC faculty members and graduate students Kate Speirs, Nicole Finkbeiner, and Patty Fanflick have been conducting interviews with mothers and grandmothers on the Eastern Shore and in Western Maryland to learn more about the eating habits of families with pre-school children. Of particular interest is their purchasing and preparation of fruits and vegetables. The researchers are partnering with Dr. Virginie Zoumenou in Cooperative Extension and her UMES students. Findings will inform future development of nutrition education programming.

July 18, 2008

Zainab Okolo, a 2008 alumna of the Family Science undergraduate program, received the 2008 "Undergraduate Outstanding Student Paper Award" from the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). This national honor recognizes Zainab's excellent study of the hunger and eating behaviors of 350 low-income, predominantly African American children and youth in Baltimore City. Her project has important implications for food and nutrition programs and public policy. Zainab will receive her award at NCFR's 2008 Annual Meeting in Little Rock in November. She will begin a graduate program in marriage and family therapy at Syracuse University this fall.