Events
- Annual Convention
- Great Teaching Round-up
- Leading from the middle
- fall conference for faculty leaders
- Webinars
"I think there is something more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision."
Events: 2010 HPER Schedule
Health, Physical Education and Recreation Summary
Friday, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
"The Texas Obesity Research Center: Advancing Obesity Research in a New Decade"
Speaker: Rebecca Lee, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Obesity Research Center, University of Houston
Saturday, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
"Stress Management and Healing through Nia"
Speaker: Helen Terry, International Teacher Trainer, Nia Technique, Inc., Founder of NiaMoves Houston
Friday, March 5th, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
"The Texas Obesity Research Center: Advancing Obesity Research in a New Decade"
Speaker: Rebecca Lee, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the Obesity Research Center, University of Houston
The Texas Obesity Research Center (TORC) in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston promotes multidisciplinary research, education and training and fosters local community collaborations to develop state-of-the-art Obesity Prevention and Control methodologies through cross-sectional and longitudinal research investigating psychosocial, environmental and biologic determinants of obesity and its consequences. Dr. Lee will discuss research highlights and ongoing opportunities for collaboration at the TORC, and then will present some of her own research investigating the relationship between neighborhood physical and social environments and dietary habits, physical activity and obesity.
Biographies:
Dr. Rebecca E. Lee serves as founding director of the Texas Obesity Research Center in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston. She is an associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance and holds a courtesy appointment at the University of Texas School of Public Health. Dr. Rebecca Lee oversees the Understanding Neighborhood Determinants of Obesity (UNDO) research team. Dr. Lee aims to provide an innovative, theoretically-derived, trans-cultural, and community-based approach to improving health to the science and community alike. Dr. Lee, a community health psychologist, specializes in community based health research. Her studies focus on populations of color using innovative strategies, such as incorporating social cohesion, ameliorating social injustices, and improving the quality of the neighborhood environment. Her work has focused primarily on women, as family gatekeepers who may have the biggest impact on shaping the future generation of youth. She is principal investigator for several federally and privately funded research grants including Health Is Power (HIP), funded by the National Cancer Institute (NIH); the award winning, SAving Lives, Staying Active (SALSA) study; the International Health Challenge in Second Life, funded by the USC Annenberg School for Communication; and the Healthful Options Using Streets and Transportation in Our Neighborhoods (HOUSTON) project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Dr. Rebecca Lee’s work is driven by her desire to reduce health disparities. The focus of her work has investigated the role of the social and environmental context of physical activity and dietary habits and obesity in minority populations. In addition to her programs and initiatives at the University of Houston, Dr. Lee is the former chair and current member of the Mayor’s Wellness Council Public Policy Committee, where she actively works with the Council to improve the health of Houstonians. She is an editorial board member of the International Journal of Women’s Health and the American Journal of Health Promotion. She has authored and co-authored numerous studies in peer-reviewed publications, serves as a charter member on the Community Level Health Promotion Study Section for the Center for Scientific Review at the National Institutes of Health, and has received many honors and awards, including the University of Houston College of Education Research Excellence Award in 2005 and 2008, at the University of Houston, the Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Stroke, and she is a Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. In her spare time, Dr. Lee enjoys traveling, dancing, singing, wine-tasting and spending time running after her nephews and God-daughters.
Saturday, March 6th, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
"Stress Management and Healing through Nia"
Speaker: Helen Terry, International Teacher Trainer, Nia Technique, Inc., Founder of NiaMoves Houston
Nia is a combination of dance, martial arts and body awareness techniques. The technique was developed to provide physical conditioning as well as take care of the body, spirit, and emotion. Fun and joyful, this discipline releases physical tension and stress. Come discover the joy of movement as Helen first introduces Nia and its role in stress management and healing, then takes you through a routine that will both relax and heal. Nia is for everybody, no matter your age or degree of fitness! Come as you are, no special attire required.
Biography:
Helen holds a B.Ed (hons) in Physical Education and Special Needs, from the Chelsea School of Human Movement, UK and M.Ed in Exercise Physiology and Human Performance, University of Houston. She has presented internationally at over 30 Fitness/Wellness conventions, including IDEA and is the founder of NiaMoves Houston Inc., a successful body-mind studio. Helen's business, iLove2Move, helps people move, dance and eat the body's way through MBT Physiological Footwear, Nia Technique and the Body Ecology Diet.
"I consider myself an inspirer as much as an educator. Nia Technique is so fabulous, when I teach I adore watching how folks light up! It's phenomenal how many people’s lives are being changed through this practice. I consider it a blessing to have found Nia and a privilege to teach and share this wonderful technique."
Helen is described as a warm, knowledgeable and enthusiastic teacher.
Using her passion for physiology, combined with her understanding of holistic fitness, Helen has a special (and very effective) way of catering to the unique needs of each individual she works with, giving them the skills they need whilst helping them to feel great.
Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Section Chair:
Beverly Boling,
Laredo Community College