Monthly Faculty Spotlight - November 2024

Q&A with Dr. Marian Levy DrPH, RD, FAND

Associate Dean, Public Health Practice & Community Engagement, Professor, Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences

1. What brought you to the U of M School of Public Health? 
   Actually, I joined the U of M in 2007 as the first director of the MPH Program- even before we became a School!  It has been an honor and privilege to contribute to the growth, accreditation, and success of the School.
   
   
2. What is the broad focus of your research? 
   As a behavioral scientist, I focus on providing environmental support for healthy lifestyles through promoting health equity, interprofessional collaboration, and public health practice.
   
   
3. What inspired you to pursue this particular area of research? 
   My undergraduate degree is in psychology, my master’s is in dietetics and nutrition, and my doctorate is in public health.  I’ve always been interested in supporting behavior change through healthy lifestyles.  Early in my career, as a Registered Dietitian working in the Bogalusa Heart Study, I enjoyed being part of an interdisciplinary team conducting cardiovascular research.  I was inspired to pursue my DrPH at UCLA and received an NCI fellowship that combined behavioral science, nutrition, and cancer research. So, I greatly value multiple perspectives and shared expertise!
   
   
4. What is the most exciting project you are currently working on? 
   Currently, I am the Principal Investigator on two projects: Transforming Academia for Equity (funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) and the TRAIN Learning Management System (funded by the Tennessee Department of Health. 
   Transforming Academia for Equity focuses on enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within our School of Public Health. We are one of only seven schools of public health in the nation to receive this grant, and it’s very gratifying to help create a normative environment in which students, faculty, and staff feel they are valued and belong.  
   The second project, the TRAIN Learning Management System, focuses on workforce development for the Tennessee Department of Health. Faculty in the School of Public Health develop online modules for health care professionals who work in public health, health care, behavioral health, preparedness, and other public health and health care fields.  I am honored to be able to contribute to this important training effort!
   
   
5. How does your research impact or benefit the broader community or public health field? And how do you envision your research evolving in the next few years? 
   My research is primarily related to public health practice. Over the years, I have been engaged with the community in projects related to Latino health, diabetes risk reduction, breastfeeding, emergency preparedness, eco-responsibility, and COVID-19.  That’s the benefit of behavioral science: our discipline can be applied to address a wide range of public health concerns!
   
   
6. What is the coolest training or program you've been a part of, or your favorite conference you've attended?   
   I think the coolest program I’ve been part of has been the Public Health Diplomacy Summit, organized by Dean Joshi last September in collaboration with ASPPH and the Global Network for Academic Public Health. Representatives of 15 countries came together in a spirit of friendship, collaboration, and commitment to improve health and well-being for all.
    
7. What is your favorite self-authored manuscript? 
   My favorite self-authored manuscript is The Heart Smart Cardiovascular School Health Promotion: Behavior correlates of risk factor change, published in Preventive Medicine.  It was one of my first publications and highlighted the success of a school health intervention that was an outgrowth of our work with the Bogalusa Heart Study.  It was gratifying to document the reductions in cardiovascular risk in children! 
   (Levy) Arbeit ML, Johnson CC, Mott DS, Harsha DW, Nicklas TA, Webber LS, Berenson GS. (1992). The Heart Smart Cardiovascular School Health Promotion: Behavior correlates of risk factor change.  Prev Med, 21:18-32.
   
   
8. What kind of research would you like to be doing that you haven't yet had the opportunity to do? 
   I’m happy to continue my current projects!
   
   
9. Are there any publications, awards, or recognitions you would like us to include in the spotlight? 
   I was named to the class of UofM PI Millionaires in 2023, in recognition of having attained $1 million or more as Principal Investigator on externally supported sponsored projects.