Where are they now?
More AlumniKathryn BerlinAndres E. Carrillo Aleda Chen Krista Cline Katie Hill Gallant Megan Gilligan Kimberly Hurley Heidi IglayReger Jessica Kelley Seoyoun Kim Min-Ah Lee Mary Marshall Megan MacPherson Lauren Parker Lindsay Pitzer Markus Schafer Jori Sechrist Amber Seidel Tetyana P. Shippee John Spruill III April J. Stull Anusha Sundarrajan Roland J. Thorpe Kyle Timmerman Nicholas Turiano Lori Ward Oliver Wendt Lindsay Wilkinson Tim Wright |
Kathryn Berlin, PhDKathryn Berlin is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Indiana State University (ISU). Her research interests focus on the motivations for continued physical activity, decisions underlying a particular activity choice, and the influence of physician and health risk appraisals on physical activity adherence and health outcomes. How did you get interested in the study of aging?My interest in studying aging came from my mentor, Dr. Gerry Hyner, who made the invaluable suggestion that I look at the dual-title degree option. The path toward a dual-title PhD in gerontology enriched my life and expanded my opportunities for furthering my research in physical activity and health. What do you remember best about your time in the Center on Aging and the Life Course?What I remember best about my time in the Center on Aging and the Life Course (CALC) was the warm and welcoming acceptance by faculty and students. As a non-traditional student (much older than most of the students), it was often difficult for me to “fit in” with other Purdue students. Being a part of CALC not only provided me an opportunity to engage with students and faculty from various disciplines but to feel I was truly a part of the university as a student and researcher. In your role as a professor at ISU, are you involved in any activities to promote the study of aging on campus?In my role as assistant professor at ISU, I have numerous opportunities to promote the study of aging. The Department of Applied Health Sciences offers a certificate in gerontology and we have several courses focused on Aging and Society. Because I teach undergraduate health sciences majors and graduate public health students, I am able to integrate aging into my courses on a consistent basis. In addition, my gerontology degree sparks the interest of other scholars and I have been asked repeatedly to collaborate on research and serve on committees focused on aging. Anything else you would like to add?Completing the dual-title PhD program was one of the best decisions I made. The interdisciplinary approach to learning, teaching, and researching has proven invaluable. My studies not only expanded my understanding of health from a biological, psychological, and sociological perspective, the interdisciplinary training stimulated collaboration with other researchers in diverse fields. I cannot say enough good things about CALC and the wonderful faculty and staff that make the center exemplary! |
