Amanda N. Szabo-Reed

Dr. Amanda N. Szabo-Reed serves as a Research Associate Professor in the Division of Weight Management at the University of Kansas Medical Center, with significant affiliations at the KU Alzheimer's Disease Center. Her academic journey includes advanced degrees from the University of Michigan and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, culminating in specialized clinical research training at KU Medical Center.

• BS, Movement Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
• BA, Sports Management and Communications, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
• MS, Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
• PhD, Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
• MS, Clinical Research, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
• Post Doctoral Fellowship, Weight Management, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS

Her research program rigorously investigates how lifestyle behavioral adherence—particularly to diet and exercise—impacts mental and cognitive health across the lifespan. With over 30 peer-reviewed publications, she examines critical moderators of cognitive change including self-efficacy, self-regulation, and physiological adaptations, while developing interventions to improve brain health and quality of life. Her work spans diverse populations including older adults, individuals with Down syndrome, and those with intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Szabo-Reed's publication record demonstrates consistent focus on exercise-cognition relationships, weight management interventions, and Alzheimer's disease prevention strategies. Her recent work includes leadership roles in major NIH-funded trials examining dose-response exercise effects on brain health and implementing physician-prescribed lifestyle medicine.

• Ruth L. Kirschstein Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award
• KL2 Mentored Clinical Research Scholar Award

She actively contributes to multiple high-impact clinical trials including the COMET study (Combined Exercise Trial), LEAP! Rx, and IGNITE trial, focusing on cognitive outcomes in aging populations. Her methodological expertise spans remote intervention delivery, clinical trial management systems, and adapting research protocols during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.