CURRICULUM VITAE SHELDON OLIVER WATTS, PHD, MPH SHELDON.WATTS@TEMPLE.EDU RESEARCH INTERESTS Chronic diseases and their risk factors in vulnerable populations; special interest in children, immigrants, and persons of African descent. EDUCATION New York University, NYU Steinhardt, New York NY Doctor of Philosophy, Nutritional Sciences, May 2009 Boston University, School of Public Health, Boston, MA Master of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences, January 2000 Cornell University, College of Human Ecology, Ithaca, NY Bachelor of Science, Nutritional Sciences/Human Biology, Health, and Society, January 1998 ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Temple University, PA August 2011 Present Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in public health. Manage the academic undergraduate unit under the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Collaborate with faculty on academic planning, policy development, curriculum evaluation, updates of existing courses, and evaluation of programs and activities that complement the department s academic core discipline. Provide academic advising and professional mentorship. Participate in various departmental and university committees. Conduct independent and collaborative research, participate in regional and national public health meetings, and present and publish in appropriate outlets. PROJECT COORDINATOR FAITH CLINICAL TRIAL, New York University, NY September 2009 August 2011 FAITH (Faith-Based Approaches in the Treatment of Hypertension) is a research study examining the feasibility and efficacy of a church blood pressure reduction program conducted by church members. Worked closely with principal investigator to develop nutrition and physical activity educational materials for the program. Screened and scheduled study participants, and conducted consent and enrollment procedures including data collection. Trained and supervised lay health advisors to conduct the program sessions. Managed all administrative aspects of the behavioral counseling intervention delivery and provided logistical support at follow-up appointments to ensure that all data were collected and that each participant s questions and concerns were 1
addressed. Coordinated quality assessment of sessions; responsible for audio-recording group meetings, coordinating individual booster sessions, and ensuring that recordings were catalogued and reviewed by investigators. ADJUNCT FACULTY DEPARTMENT OF NUTRITION, FOOD STUDIES, AND PUBLIC HEALTH, New York University, NY September 2003 May 2011 Developed and taught courses promoting departmental educational objectives. Nutrition and Health (E33.0119); course covers nutritional science and its role in health and society. The course examined dietary guidelines and meal planning; nutrient characteristics, requirements, and food sources; energy balance and weight management; and social and economic factors that affect food production and consumption. Computers in Nutrition and Food Services (E33.0021); course covered the application and evaluation of basic computer tools and techniques for nutritional analysis, food service management, and professional development. ACADEMIC ADVISOR DEPARTMENT OF NUTRITION, FOOD STUDIES, AND PUBLIC HEALTH, New York University, NY September 2003 August 2009 Advised current and prospective students regarding departmental curriculum, university policies, and academic requirements. Assisted students in exploring careers, evaluating academic abilities, and setting goals. Participated in program development and implementation of departmental academic support programs (e.g. New Student Orientation and Advising; Academic Achievement Standards; and Academic Scholarships). Analyzed data received through student surveys and direct input. Recommended new programs, courses, and strategies to best align department efforts with changing student needs. Assisted in the implementation of marketing events to recruit students for university admissions; including information sessions, open houses, and attending external events. TEACHING FELLOW DEPARTMENT OF NUTRITION AND FOOD STUDIES, New York University, NY September 2001 May 2003 Developed and taught courses promoting departmental educational objectives related to the use of computers and the internet in nutrition, food management, and food studies. Assisted department faculty with class instruction and research; literature reviews, quantitative data analysis, focus group implementation, and presentation development. Provided department wide IT and basic network support. Served as department Webmaster; responsible for design, construction, and maintenance of department s website (http://education.nyu.edu/nutrition). 2
RESEARCH COORDINATOR, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd, NY February 2000 October 2000 Performed information retrieval via literature and Internet searches for a medical research and publishing company. Supervised several employees (7-10) to facilitate research efforts and data input for the company s proprietary database. Coordinated and supervised the research on several projects for external agencies. Assisted in the design, layout, and editing of content for published and online materials. RESEARCH ASSISTANT Boston University School of Public Health & New England Spinal Cord Injury Center, MA May 1998 December 1999 Assisted with the development of numerous strategies and protocols used to implement, maintain and evaluate studies involving person with spinal cord injuries. Performed exhaustive literature searches to support ongoing research. Recruited, contacted, and interviewed study participants via telephone and in-home visits. Performed study quality control and located study participants lost to follow up. Provided administrative and organizational support to the principal investigator and research staff. EVALUATION SPECIALIST, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, MA September 1999 December 1999 Developed and implemented strategies for measuring process and impact performance on several Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts education programs. Managed an ongoing evaluation program for an adolescent sexual education intervention. Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data and produced evaluation reports to guide program management. Provided technical assistance and support to agency staff on rigorous program evaluation methods. PROFESSIONAL HONORS, AWARDS, AND FELLOWSHIPS Healthy NewsWorks Community Health Leader, Philadelphia, PA 2013 Graduate Student Organization Pre-Doctoral Travel Award, New York, NY 2007 New York University Teaching Fellowship, New York, NY 2001-2003 New York University Dean s List, New York, NY 2001-2003 COSEP Outstanding Community Service Award (Cornell University), Ithaca, NY 1996 Prudential Leadership Award, Houston, TX 1993 Help Scholarship Award, Houston, TX 1993 Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship Award, Houston, TX 1993 Paradise Cemeteries Scholarship Award, Houston, TX 1993 3
COURSES TAUGHT Undergraduate: Nutrition and Health (introductory nutritional science) Professional Seminar (professional and interpersonal skills development) Introduction to Community Health Programs (community-based participatory program planning) Administration and Marketing of Public Health Programs (administration and evaluation of community-based programs) Internship (Academic Mentor) Graduate: Seminars in International Health (introductory global health perspectives) Public Health Nutrition (nutrition policies, programs, and interventions to reduce risk and promote health) Obesity and Weight Management (exploration of the etiology, treatment, and prevention of obesity from a multi-level systems perspective) PUBLICATIONS IN PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS Lancaster KJ, Schoenthaler AM, Midberry SA, Watts SO, Nulty MR, Cole HV, Ige E, Chaplin W, Ogedegbe G. Rationale and design of Faith-based Approaches in the Treatment of Hypertension (FAITH), a lifestyle intervention targeting blood pressure control among black church members. American Heart Journal; 2013; 167(3): 301-7. Watts SO, Piñero, DJ, Alter M, Lancaster KJ. An Assessment of Nutrition Education in Selected Counties in New York State Elementary Schools (K-5). Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior; 2012; 44: 474-80. Lancaster KJ, Watts SO, Dixon LB. Dietary Intake and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease Differ among Ethnic Subgroups of Black Americans. Journal of Nutrition; 2006; 136: 446-51. Dalton S, Watts SO. Defining Childhood Obesity: Revised 2000 Growth Charts, Body Mass Index, and Public Perceptions. Topics in Clinical Nutrition; 2002; 17: 7-20. PRESENTATIONS AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS Patterson F, Bass SB, Twersky S, Watts, SO, Scarpulla, M. Promoting Course Fidelity and Faculty Autonomy in the Context of a Multi-Section Undergraduate Public Health Capstone Course. 2013 Undergraduate Education for Public Health Summit. Watts SO, Lancaster KJ, Piñero, DJ, Alter M. An Assessment of Nutrition Education in Selected Counties in New York State Elementary Schools (K-5). Experimental Biology 2011. FASEB Journal. 2011; 24: A274. 4
Lancaster KJ, Midberry SA, Watts SO, Cole HV, Schoenthaler AM, Ogedegbe GO. Lifestyle Barriers to Managing Hypertension in People of African Descent. Experimental Biology 2011. FASEB Journal. 2011; 24: A205. Watts SO, Lancaster KJ, Piñero, DJ. An Examination of Teacher-Led Nutrition Education in New York City Elementary Schools, Grades K-5 (Pilot Study). Experimental Biology 2007. FASEB Journal. 2007; 20: A515. Lancaster KJ, Watts, SO, Dixon, LB. Differences in CHD risk and dietary patterns in ethnic subgroups of Black American, 44 th Annual Conference in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention 2004. Circulation. 2004; 109:E143. Watts SO, Lancaster KJ, Dixon, LB. Dietary patterns in ethnic subgroups of Black Americans. Experimental Biology 2003. FASEB Journal.2003; 17: A286. FUNDED RESEARCH Academic-Community Partnership Award Conference Series (R13) Co- Investigator: Sheldon Oliver Watts Using Academic-Community Partnerships to Address Obesity and Health Literacy 09/12 06/14 $30,000 Creative Arts, Research and Scholarship Principal Investigator: Sheldon Oliver Watts Investigating Your Health: A Black Man s Perspective 06/12 12/12 $3,000 Dean s Grant for Research, New York, NY 2002 Principal Investigator: Sheldon Oliver Watts Dietary patterns and risk of coronary heart disease risk among ethnic subgroups of Black Americans 02/02 11/03 $1,000 MANUSCRIPT REVIEWER Health Education & Behavior Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Nutrition Education Journal of Clinical Obesity Topics in Clinical Nutrition 5
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES American Public Health Association Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health American Society for Nutrition American Dietetic Association Kappa Omicron Nu (Graduate Honor Society) 6