Behavior Theory in Public Health Practice and Research

Dr. Simons-Morton is Scientist Emeritus, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health (retired). Formerly, he was Senior Research Scientist at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and Director of the Impaired Driving Research Group. Before that, he was Chief of the Prevention Research Branch and Senior Investigator in the intramural research program at the NIH, where he conducted theory-based research on individual, social, and environmental influences on adolescent behaviors, with particular emphases on substance use and risky driving. Dr. Simons-Morton is the author of over 300 scientific papers, three books, and 25 book chapters. He served as Chair of the Public Health Education Section of the APHA and Chair of the Operator Education and Regulation Committee of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Science. Dr. Lodyga is the Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition at the University of Delaware. He is also a Certified Health Education Specialist and Clinical Health Coach. As a behavioral scientist, his research interests focus primarily on analyzing psychosocial and ecological traits that influence health behaviors. He is especially interested in examining constructs of motivational and behavioral theories with special consideration to evidence-based interventions that decrease risky health behaviors. Prior to the University of Delaware, he was an Assistant Professor and Director of Health Promotion at Colby-Sawyer College. As an expert in health behavior theory, Dr. Lodyga has trained nearly 4,000 students and health professionals in the field of behavioral sciences. Dr. Lodyga regularly teaches courses in health behavior theory, behavior change strategies, and theory-based intervention design. He has also consulted on many research projects, research proposals, and evidence-based program planning. In recognition, he has received numerous awards based on his teaching, advising, and mentorship.