The Technology Center to Promote Healthy Lifestyles (TecHealth) is a South Carolina
SmartState Center focused on research to develop and evaluate health promotion programs
which encourage healthy lifestyles and reduce risk of disease by incorporating technology.
New and emerging technologies hold great promise for creating novel intervention approaches,
as well as enhancing existing interventions with the addition of technological elements. Technology
affords the ability to expand geographic reach of evidence-based interventions and
to access underserved populations with programs which promote healthier lifestyles. The
TecHealth research portfolio includes projects that address these domains, as well
as efforts to explore how technology can be used to improve the assessment of lifestyle
behaviors. TecHealth is also focused on training of the next generation of scholars
who seek to promote healthy lifestyles through the use of technology.
Congratulations to Katherine DeVivo, Graduate Student in TecHealth!!
Katherine DeVivo is a graduate student in TecHealth, working with Dr. Christine Pellegrini.
She graduated in May 2020 with a Masters in Public Health in Physical Activity and
Public Health and received the Outstanding MPH Student Achievement Award. Katherine
will be continuing her studies in the Exercise Science Doctoral Program in Fall 2020.
Congratulations Katherine!!
TecHealth Faculty Members Receive UofSC COVID-19 Awards
TecHealth Assistant Director Brie Turner-McGrievy (HPEB) and Assistant Professor Christine
Pellegrini (EXSC) both received awards from the UofSC Office of Research to conduct
studies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Turner-McGrievy will build on her
current dietary lifestyle intervention project “Nutritious Eating with Soul” to assess
participant satisfaction with the transition of in-person interventions to e-learning
environments and examine the psychosocial, physical, and behavioral health impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic on study participants.
Dr. Pellegrini will conduct interviews with 30 overweight or obese individuals to
explore current changes in stress and diet and activity behaviors. Understanding
how individuals are coping during the COVID-19 pandemic will help to better inform
and tailor future adaptive weight management programs and public health recommendations,
not only in the event of a future pandemic but also for everyday stressful life events.
Congratulations Brie and Christine!
Congratulations to Courtnee Harpine, undergraduate Research Assistant in TecHealth!!
Courtnee, an Exercise Science major who plans to graduate in May 2020, received three
UofSC awards in Spring 2020 – Outstanding Exercise Science Student Award, UofSC Outstanding
Senior, and President’s Award. She has been working closely with Dr. Christine Pellegrini
in TecHealth to conduct research on using technology to modify sedentary behavior.
Courtnee received funding for a Magellan Project entitled “Effects of NEAT!2 Sedentary
Behavior Reduction Intervention on Changes in the Percent of Weight and Waist Circumference
in Individuals with Past or Present Knee Symptoms, Injuries, or Surgeries” which she
is finishing up. Way to go with the awards, Courtnee!!