Associate/Full Professor in Physical Activity and Brain/Mental Health

Position Summary

Tenured Associate/Full Professor in Physical Activity and Brain/Mental Health
Dual Appointment – Department of Psychology in the School of Science and School of Health and Human Sciences, Indiana University (IU) Indianapolis

Research Areas of Interest

• Developing, testing, and/or implementing innovative interventions targeting physical activity and/or sedentary behavior to prevent or treat mental illness, substance use, or brain disorders
• Exploring mental health in high level athletes and the connection between mental health and sport performance
• Conducting trials with novel devices targeting physical activity and/or sedentary behavior to prevent or treat mental illness, substance use, or brain disorders
• Integrating passive monitoring data with the electronic health record to improve the diagnosis and treatment of mental health, substance use, or brain disorders
• Improving approaches to measuring and monitoring physical activity and sedentary behavior, such as actigraphy, mobile tracking technology, passive monitoring, and artificial intelligence applications
• Elucidating mechanisms (e.g., systemic inflammation, gut microbiota, etc.) underlying the impact of physical activity and sedentary behavior on mental health (e.g., substance use, anxiety, depression, mood regulation, stress and coping) and/or brain function (e.g., brain plasticity, synaptic growth, brain network organization and connectivity, cognitive function)
• Using advanced neuroimaging and/or machine learning techniques to understand the connection between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and brain health
• Examining the effects of prolonged sedentary behavior on brain and mental health, particularly in aging populations, and identifying the neurobiological pathways through which these effects impact conditions like depression, anxiety, and dementia
• Advancing understanding of the impacts of mental health, substance use, or brain function (e.g., traumatic brain injury, brain aging, depression) on physical activity and/or sedentary behavior
• Studying how disruptions in circadian and behavioral rhythms and interventions addressing such rhythms impact mental health, substance use, or brain function

About the IU Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing (H2W)

The IU Institute for Human Health and Wellbeing operates at the intersection of health, life sciences and technology to meet community needs and improve health outcomes across the State of Indiana. Working with industry and community partners, H2W will expand IU Indianapolis’ efforts to translate research and creative activity that meet Hoosiers' most critical health challenges. This includes pursuit of community-engaged research focused on health equity. Interdisciplinary teams will address health issues, particularly in the area of health disparities, and promote mental and physical well-being.

About the IU Indianapolis School of Science

The IU Indianapolis School of Science is a hub for scientific research and education, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate (MS and PhD) programs across disciplines including biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, forensic and investigational sciences, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, and psychology. With state-of-the-art facilities and close ties to Indianapolis’ thriving healthcare, biotech, and life sciences sectors, the school fosters interdisciplinary research and innovation, and prepares students for careers in science, medicine, technology, and education through hands-on research and collaboration with leading industry and academic partners.

About the IU Indianapolis School of Health & Human Sciences

The School of Health & Human Sciences offers a broad range of educational and research programs designed to prepare students for impactful careers in health, wellness, sports, and human sciences. The school’s programs emphasize experiential learning, interdisciplinary research, and community engagement, all tailored to meet the needs of students aiming for various professions in healthcare and wellness fields. Students can engage educational programs in health sciences (healthcare, rehabilitation, health promotion), exercise science and kinesiology, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, nutrition and dietetics, physical therapy, and tourism, event, and sport management. Core areas of research include rehabilitation science, musculoskeletal health, physical activity and exercise, community health and wellness, and neurological and behavioral health.

About Indiana University Indianapolis

The IU Indianapolis campus, with over 21,000 students, is located adjacent to downtown Indianapolis. IU Indianapolis i