Associate Professor, College of Public Health, Health Promotion & Behavior, Institute of Gerontology Dr. Jennifer L. Gay is an Associate Professor in the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia, with affiliations in Health Promotion & Behavior and the Institute of Gerontology. She also holds appointments as an adjunct professor in Kinesiology and is a faculty member of the Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Her research examines the reciprocal relationship between human and environmental health, focusing on how physical activity participation can promote pro-environmental behaviors. Dr. Gay directs the PACE (Physical Activity & Community Environment) Lab, where she studies how built and social environments shape physical activity across the lifespan. Her work emphasizes occupational physical activity, measurement and methodological advances in activity research, and program evaluation. A dedicated educator, she values mentoring students and fostering their understanding of community health, research design, and applied behavioral science. Her scholarship and teaching together reflect a commitment to advancing public health through evidence-based, contextually grounded research. Education: PhD, Health Promotion, Education and Behavior, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, 2008 MSc, Sport and Leisure Services, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2002 BA, English, University of South Carolina, 2001 Research Research Interests: Dr. Jennifer Gay conducts research in the area of physical activity and public health. More specifically her interests include how built environment and social contexts influence physical activity in children, adolescents and adults. Since joining the University of Georgia, Dr. Gay has focused primarily on the health benefits of occupational physical activity and how to increase time spent in activity during work hours. Her secondary areas of interest include growth and maturation as indicators of decreases in physical activity, measurement and methodological issues in physical activity research, and program evaluation. Selected Publications Selected Publications: Gay JL, Buchner DM, Schmidt MD. (2016). Dose-response association between physical activity and HbA1c: Examining intensity and bout length. Preventive Medicine, 86, 58-63. Gay JL, Robb SW, Benson KM, & White A. (2016). Can the social vulnerability index be used for more than emergency preparedness? An examination using youth fitness data. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 13(2), 121-130. Gay JL, Monsma EV, & Hein K. (Accepted). Weight Management Behaviors among Mexican American Youth: Cross-Sectional Variation by Timing of Growth and Maturation. American Journal of Health Promotion. Gay JL & Buchner DM. (2014). Ethnic disparities in objectively measured physical activity may be due to occupational activity. Preventive Medicine, 63, 58-62.
