Meet The Team
Principal Investigator: Megan McVay, PhD
Megan McVay, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Education and Behavior. She completed her PhD in Psychology (Clinical and Biological areas) at Louisiana State University and completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral training at Duke University Medical Center and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Dr. McVay conducts research on behavioral aspects of weight management. Her current work is focused on initiation and engagement in evidence-based approaches to weight management among adults with obesity. This focus stems from recognizing that the majority of adults with obesity do not initiate evidence-based weight loss treatments. To address this, she is focused on (1) developing and testing strategies that mobilize non-treatment seeking adults with obesity to enroll in empirically supported weight loss interventions and on (2) identifying or developing weight loss interventions (including preventive interventions) that are more likely to be initiated and sustained by adults with obesity. This work includes a focus on using digital health tools to address these and other aspects of weight management. In 2015, Dr. McVay received a 5-year career development grant from the National Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood (NHLBI) to develop and pilot test a web-based intervention to increase initiation of weight loss treatments.
Dr. McVay is a member of several professional organizations including The Obesity Society (TOS) and Society of Behavior Medicine (SBM), where she is chair of the Publication Council. She has received awards for research presentations from the Society of Behavior Medicine, The Obesity Society, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She has published in leading journals, including American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Genetics in Medicine, and Translational Behavioral Medicine. She has also been selected for competitive, specialized NIH-funded training institutes in mhealth and behavioral randomized clinical trials. Dr. McVay is interested in scientific reforms related to increased transparency and strives to use transparent research processes wherever possible, including study pre-registration and open data and materials.
Dr. McVay has opportunities for undergraduate and master’s students to get involved in research in her lab.
Megan McVay, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Education and Behavior. She completed her PhD in Psychology (Clinical and Biological areas) at Louisiana State University and completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral training at Duke University Medical Center and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Dr. McVay conducts research on behavioral aspects of weight management. Her current work is focused on initiation and engagement in evidence-based approaches to weight management among adults with obesity. This focus stems from recognizing that the majority of adults with obesity do not initiate evidence-based weight loss treatments. To address this, she is focused on (1) developing and testing strategies that mobilize non-treatment seeking adults with obesity to enroll in empirically supported weight loss interventions and on (2) identifying or developing weight loss interventions (including preventive interventions) that are more likely to be initiated and sustained by adults with obesity. This work includes a focus on using digital health tools to address these and other aspects of weight management. In 2015, Dr. McVay received a 5-year career development grant from the National Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood (NHLBI) to develop and pilot test a web-based intervention to increase initiation of weight loss treatments.
Dr. McVay is a member of several professional organizations including The Obesity Society (TOS) and Society of Behavior Medicine (SBM), where she is chair of the Publication Council. She has received awards for research presentations from the Society of Behavior Medicine, The Obesity Society, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She has published in leading journals, including American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Genetics in Medicine, and Translational Behavioral Medicine. She has also been selected for competitive, specialized NIH-funded training institutes in mhealth and behavioral randomized clinical trials. Dr. McVay is interested in scientific reforms related to increased transparency and strives to use transparent research processes wherever possible, including study pre-registration and open data and materials.
Dr. McVay has opportunities for undergraduate and master’s students to get involved in research in her lab.
Research Coordinator: Melinda Rajoria, MPH, CPH
Melinda is the Research Coordinator for Dr. Megan McVay's Weight Management Study. She works with Dr. McVay to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative interventions to improve the health for diverse populations. In 2014, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University and went on to earn a Master of Public Health from Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in 2020.
She is dedicated to using her expertise in health behavior change, social determinants of health and data analysis to improve health outcomes and advance health equity amongst marginalized populations.
In her spare time, you can find Melinda hiking nature trails, playing tennis, or reading at the beach.
Melinda is the Research Coordinator for Dr. Megan McVay's Weight Management Study. She works with Dr. McVay to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative interventions to improve the health for diverse populations. In 2014, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University and went on to earn a Master of Public Health from Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in 2020.
She is dedicated to using her expertise in health behavior change, social determinants of health and data analysis to improve health outcomes and advance health equity amongst marginalized populations.
In her spare time, you can find Melinda hiking nature trails, playing tennis, or reading at the beach.
Doctoral Students
Montserrat Carrera Seoane, MS, CHES
Montserrat is a third-year doctoral student here at the University of Florida. In 2017, she earned her master’s degree in Health Education & Behavior from UF. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®). Montserrat’s primary research goal is to support the Hispanic/Latinx community in achieving better health through improvements in diet, physical activity, and weight management. Additional research interests include health communication, health disparities, and digital health tools. She is also a member of the Society of Behavior Medicine (SBM). Montserrat enjoys cooking for her friends and family and spending time with her dogs at home. |
Kellie Cooper
Kellie is a third-year doctoral student here at UF. She obtained her B.S. in Exercise Science from Winthrop University and is from North Augusta, SC. Kellie’s research interests include obesity prevention and sociocultural health behavior influences. Currently, she is working on a project seeking to understand how social undermining affects weight management behaviors and is planning a subsequent project focusing specifically on African American women. She enjoys sporting events, the beach, reading, and traveling. |
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Nathalie Donado
Nathalie is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida. She is majoring in Health Science, minoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and is on the pre-physical therapy track. Her research interests focus on obesity and weight management in the Hispanic/Latinx community. Nathalie loves going to sporting events and reading. Nathalie is also a member of the Undergraduate Physical Therapy Association and the Hispanic Student Association. She also works as an ED Financial Representative at Shands. |
Marissa Dye
Marissa is from Jacksonville, FL and is a second-year undergraduate student here at the University of Florida. She is currently majoring in Health Education and Behavior and is on the pre-PT track. Marissa is super excited to be working with Dr. McVay on behavior and obesity research. After completing her understudies, Marissa is planning to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. Marissa is on both the UF Club indoor and beach volleyball teams, and is also a Personal Trainer and Wellness Assoc. at UF RecSports. She is apart of the Gators Rebuilding Together club and the Eta Sigma Gamma Health Education fraternity. |
Natalie Marshall
Natalie is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida. She is majoring in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, minoring in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, and is on the pre-med track. Her research interests vary, but she loves anything that has to do with promoting a healthy lifestyle. Natalie enjoys attending UF sporting events, volunteering at Give Kids the World, and doing anything outdoors! She is also a member of the UF club beach volleyball team, UF’s Alpha Epsilon Delta, and the UF Pre-Med American Medical Student Association. |
Madison McKay
Madison is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida. She is majoring in Health Education and Behavior, as well as minoring in Disabilities in Society. Madison is currently on a pre-physician assistant track and hopes to enter physician assistant school after graduating next spring. Madison is from Tampa, FL and in her free time loves working out, hiking, and reading. Madison is involved with Special Olympics, Take Stock in Children, and the Delta Nu Zeta Service Sorority on campus. She also works as a medical assistant at a dermatology clinic in Gainesville. |
Kristina Nguyen
Kristina is from Sarasota, FL and is a third-year undergraduate student attending University of Florida. She is majoring in Nutritional Sciences and is currently on the pre-dental track. Her research interests vary but she is excited to be working with Dr. McVay on behavior and obesity research. After completing her bachelor's degree, she is planning on attending dental school. In her free time, Kristina loves working out, reading, and volunteering. She is currently a member of Delta Delta Sigma and volunteers with Great Leaps to help children develop literacy within Alachua County schools. She is also currently a Teaching Assistant at the Microbiology Lab Department and is on her way to getting certified as a personal trainer. |
Kylie Schaefers
Kylie is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida. She is majoring in Health Education and Behavior. Her research interest includes weight management, nutrition outreach programs, and mental health. After graduating she hopes to continue promoting healthy lifestyles in her community. In her free time, she loves being at the beach, spending time with family, and hiking! |