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What is Health and Human Development?

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Janette Watkins
Assistant Professor, Kinesiology
Affiliate Professor, Child Study Center
Summary Statement

Youth health researcher specializing in community-based interventions for physical activity & digital wellness.

Department
  • Kinesiology - KINES
Education
  • Dual-Ph.D., 2025, Human Performance & Neural Sciences, Indiana University
  • M.Ed., 2021, Kinesiology, University of Virginia
  • B.A., 2020, Neuroscience, Transylvania University
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Office Address
268T Recreation Building
University Park, PA 16802
Specializations
  • Community-based, co-designed interventions to promote youth physical activity and digital wellness  
  • Family-based determinants of self-regulation and health behavior in children and adolescents
  • Interdisciplinary methods integrating neuroscience (eye tracking, EEG, fNIRS) and kinesiology (accelerometry, EMA)
  • Psychosocial and environmental influences on screen time, physical activity, and well-being
Grants and Research Projects

Community-based, co-designed physical activity interventions for  youth; digital media literacy and self-regulation in  wellness programs; family-based modeling and attentional dynamics in youth health behaviors; screen time and physical activity patterns in children  across home and school environments

Publications