Building Healthy Behaviors Across the Life Span Organized Research Center

The Building Healthy Behaviors Across the Life Span (BBAL) Organized Research Center investigates the prevention and management of disease, the optimization of health, and the ways in which behaviors can influence disease prevalence and progression. 

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about the broad range of research and scholarly interests of our center's members

Recognized by the University of Maryland, Baltimore as a Center of Excellence in 2012, BBAL provides numerous activities to support its researchers in training, service, and discovery.

Mission

The Building Healthy Behaviors Across the Lifespan (BBAL) Center promotes the conduct of interdisciplinary research related to the influence of behaviors on health and health outcomes across the lifespan.

Vision

The BBAL Center strives to serve as a center for shared thinking — within the School of Nursing and across the University of Maryland, Baltimore — aimed at the development of pioneering research ideas and interventions to promote and sustain health in all people, from infancy to old age. The center will provide a core for the pooling of resources and sharing of data across a wide variety of projects related to behavioral health outcomes. Its members will provide leadership within the School of Nursing to guide research related to health behavior across the lifespan.

How BBAL Supports Center Members

BBAL supports faculty, staff, and students through funding opportunities, research dissemination support, educational programming, and faculty mentorship designed to advance behavioral and biobehavioral science at UMSON.

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) Support: BBAL provides funding opportunities for Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) to support student involvement in behavioral and biobehavioral research projects. These experiences help students develop research skills, contribute to ongoing studies, and engage in scholarly activities that support their academic and professional growth.
Abstract Submission Support: BBAL offers funding to support abstract submissions and conference participation, helping center members disseminate their research findings, expand professional networks, and increase the visibility and impact of their work.
Facilitation Awards: BBAL's Facilitation Awards provide funding to help investigators advance research projects and strengthen future funding applications. Award support may be used for activities that enhance research productivity, foster collaboration, and accelerate project development.
Behavioral Research Webinars: BBAL hosts monthly webinars featuring experts in behavioral and biobehavioral research. Various topics include: AI and Research, Maintenance/Creation of Regulatory Binder, various tools for data and keeping researchers abreast of new/updated policies within the state and federal government.
Research Faculty Mentorship: BBAL Center Directors provide mentorship to tenure-bound faculty, offering guidance on research development, grant funding strategies, scholarly productivity, and career advancement. This mentorship supports faculty in building successful research programs and advancing behavioral and biobehavioral science.

Resources

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Pregnant, postpartum and parenting women face unique challenges with opioid use addiction and recovery, underscored by individual stressors, intersecting social determinants of health and complex health delivery systems. My research focuses on building resilience in women, and forming collaborations among communities and interdisciplinary stakeholders, to bridge the gaps in care, promote life-long healthy behaviors, and optimize social determinants of health. Doris Titus-Glover, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Summer 2026 Facilitation Award Recipient

My program of research describes the impact of pediatric serious illnesses on families; evaluates contextual factors, such as social determinants, that influence child and family well-being; and addresses these challenges to family health through community partnership for intervention development. My goal, to help families thrive and have supportive relationships, is informed by my clinical experiences as a pediatric oncology and community health nurse. Kim Mooney-Doyle, PhD, RN, CPNP-AC, FAAN
Associate Professor
Summer 2025 Facilitation Award Recipient

Drawing from my experience as a home care nurse, I am passionate about researching innovative and engaging interventions that help older adults maintain their independence. I recently led the development of Motivating Older Adults Through Immersive Virtual Exercise (MOTIVE), a virtual reality-based physical activity program introduced in affordable senior housing. Currently, my research focuses on exploring how smart glasses can support older adults with mild cognitive impairment in managing memory-related challenges. Brittany Burch, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
BBAL Sponsored GRA (2026)

The focus of my research is on the care of older adults in acute care settings, specifically, the work is on engaging patients in physical activity and protein intake to help optimize function and recovery post cardiac surgery. This research recognizes that older adults in hospital settings are particularly at risk for decreased function and protein intake. The work highlights the importance of strong interdisciplinary partnerships to promote functional health as older adults transition from inpatient to outpatient communities. Ameera Chakravarthy, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC
Specialty Director, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor
BBAL Sponsored GRA (2025)

My research focuses on evaluating and improving interactions and communication between long-term care staff and residents living with dementia. I aim to enhance health behaviors by exploring positive interaction strategies to manage behavioral symptoms and pain, ultimately improving the well-being of residents with dementia in long-term care. Rachel McPherson, PhD, MA
Assistant Professor
Summer 2026 Facilitation Award Recipient

BBAL has been instrumental in advancing my research by providing funding for a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) which has supported primary data collection for my research in assisted living communities. Additionally, support from BBAL for resources and supplies for an interdisciplinary wellness clinic in senior housing has not only enhanced resident engagement in clinical services but also generated valuable pilot data for multiple research grant submissions. Sarah Holmes, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor
Summer 2026 Facilitation Award Recipient

My research examines open-label placebo (OLP) as a non-pharmacological approach to improving chronic pain. A key aspect of this work is accurately tracking medication adherence. With support from BBAL, I integrated the Pill-Connect dispenser into my study, enabling objective and reliable monitoring of pill intake. This technology enhances the scientific rigor of my research and deepens our understanding of how placebos and expectations influence pain. Based on our preliminary findings, we have submitted an R34 grant proposal and have drafted one manuscript on OLP to inform future clinical trials in this field. Yang Wang, PhD
Assistant Professor
Summer 2024 Facilitation Award Recipient

18Sep

Building Healthy Behaviors Across the Life Span Organized Research Center (BBAL) Monthly Meeting 12:00 PM | Online Please join the Building Healthy Behaviors Across the Life Span Organized Research Center for their monthly meeting.