Alicia Dahl

Alicia Dahl is an Associate Professor and Honors Program Director in the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's College of Health and Human Services (CHHS). She directs the Honors Program with her term ending June 30, 2029, and maintains an active research program focused on women's health, mental health promotion, and nutrition behaviors.

Dr. Dahl's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior from the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina (2018)
• M.S. in Health Promotion from the University of Delaware (2013)
• B.S. in Global Health and Communications from Juniata College (2011)

Her research expertise spans multiple domains with particular focus on women's health across the maternal-child continuum, mental health promotion particularly among vulnerable populations, and nutrition/physical activity behaviors in various settings. Dr. Dahl specializes in health behavior change strategies including motivational interviewing and health coaching, and has developed numerous technology-based interventions using mobile apps, social media, websites, and podcasts. Her mixed methods approach combines qualitative insights with quantitative analysis to address complex public health challenges, with special attention to science communication and translating research into practice.

Dr. Dahl's recent publication portfolio demonstrates a strong trajectory in campus health research, maternal-child health interventions, and innovative research dissemination methods. Her work on the "Paper Chase" collaborative writing model has gained significant traction in academic circles as a method for rapid research dissemination. She has increasingly focused on university food environments and student health behaviors, while maintaining her strong foundation in maternal and child health research, particularly examining disparities affecting Black and African American women. Her recent work also expands into mental health of sexual and gender minoritized communities, showing the breadth of her research interests and interdisciplinary approach.

Dr. Dahl has received numerous professional honors including:

• Delta Omega, UNC Charlotte, Faculty Inductee (2023)
• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, UNC Charlotte, Member (2022)
• CHHS Education Innovation Fellow, UNC Charlotte (2021-2022)
• Research Fellow, Office of Undergraduate Research, UNC Charlotte (2021)
• Faculty Excellence Award in Online Teaching, College of Health & Human Services (2019)
• Catalyst Program (2018)
• Excellence in Research Award, Society of Behavioral Medicine (2017)
• Norman and Gerry Sue Arnold Emerging Scholar in Childhood Obesity, University of South Carolina

As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Dahl has guided numerous students through research projects resulting in co-authored publications. She has secured funding from various sources including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competitive internal grants at UNC Charlotte. Her Maternal Child Health Workgroup fosters collaboration across disciplines, and she has partnered with community organizations like Atrium Health and Smart Start of Mecklenburg County to translate research into community impact. Dr. Dahl's innovative "Paper Chase" method has trained over 100 students and faculty in research dissemination techniques, significantly enhancing scholarly productivity at UNC Charlotte.

Dr. Dahl leads a productive research lab focused on maternal and child health, with recent projects examining prenatal healthcare among Black and African American women during the COVID-19 pandemic. She co-leads the Maternal Child Health Workgroup at UNC Charlotte, providing space for collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers with similar interests. Her lab has conducted significant work on campus health through the Campus Health Lifestyles, Outcomes, & Experiences (CHLOE) Study, funded by Texas A&M University, which explores the effects of the first-year campus experience on chronic conditions and health risks.