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Siddharth Maruvada, Arnav Meduri, and Abhinav Meduri, the high school students who created Pantry Patrol, sort through potatoes at the Food Bank of Eastern and Central North Carolina in Raleigh. While volunteering, they’re also noting potential features that may be useful to add to their app. (photo by Elise Mahon from UNC Research)

NC high school students co-publish research with HPDP Director Ammerman, community partner, and UNC doctoral student on food waste in NC food pantries

April 11, 2024

Three local high school students—Abhinav Meduri, Arnav Meduri, and Siddharth Maruvada—collaborated with Dr. Alice Ammerman, one of her students, and a Food Bank partner to publish research about food … Read more


Two cannabis packaging images that include warning labels about how cannabis can cause serious car crashes if driving under the influence.

HPDP planning grant awardees propose more effective cannabis warning labels

February 29, 2024

Sarah Kowitt, PhD, MPH, and Leah Ranney, PhD, MA have found that U.S. cannabis warning labels are largely ineffective in educating consumers about health risks. Through a content analysis and focus gr … Read more


Profile shot of an elderly senior man taking to a food delivery male with a grocery box outdoor with building on background. Meal basket as social help and support.

Haynes-Maslow and Ammerman receive grant from Humana Foundation to study social isolation among senior residents and home meal delivery

February 18, 2024

The Humana Foundation awarded Drs. Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, PhD, MHA, and Alice Ammerman, DrPH, MPH, a $250,000 health equity research grant. This grant will support a meal delivery program for low-inco … Read more


Scott Conger, Steve Herrmann, and Erik Willis headshots

Willis co-leads update of 2024 Compendium of Physical Activities to enhance physical activity and health research and promotion

January 18, 2024

An international group of researchers has collaborated to create the updated 2024 Compendium of Physical Activities. The Compendium of Physical Activities is a fundamental physical activity and health … Read more


Erik Willis Headshot

Dr. Erik Willis named as new Children’s Healthy Weight Research Group director

January 9, 2024

Dr. Erik Willis, PhD, has been promoted to Director of the Children’s Healthy Weight Research Group at the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Dr. Willis received his Doctorate in Exer … Read more


Eight people sitting in a circle under a covered area outside.

2022 Year Recap

December 22, 2022

With 2022 coming to an end, we want to reflect on the incredible work HPDP researchers, Community Advisors, and staff have done in the past year. From celebrating milestones in environmental justice, … Read more


A top-down shot of six adolescents of diverse ethnicities all lay on a field of grass with their eyes closed.

Murray receives $2 million to enhance resilience among middle schoolers using mindfulness

December 8, 2022

Dr. Desiree W. Murray, PhD, has received a grant from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)1 to adapt a mindfulness-based social-emotional learning program, called Be CALM (Cool, Attentive, Logica … Read more