Lesley Cottrell

Dr. Lesley Cottrell is a Professor at the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, with joint faculty appointments in the School of Public Health's Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. She holds leadership roles as Director of the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED), Co-Director of the Prevention Research Center, and Chair of the Department of Disability Services. Her research focuses on parental influences on child and adolescent health behaviors, including obesity, diabetes, asthma, and adolescent risk outcomes like substance use and unprotected sexual activity.

• Education: PhD in Developmental Psychology from WVU
• Leadership Roles: Co-Principal Investigator for NIH-funded ACTIVATE Project, Principal Investigator for USDA-funded Choose to Change Project

Dr. Cottrell's work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration across WVU Extension, Agricultural Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, and Business & Economics. She contributes to integrated medicine initiatives through the WV Health Innovation Collaborative's Better Health Workgroup.

Scientific Awards:

• 2018 Caveney Faculty Excellence Award
• 2015 Women in Science and Health Award
• 2009 AAMC Mid-Career Women in Science Fellowship
• 2007 American Heart Association Fellow in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
• Multiple research/travel awards (2001-2006)