Ang Chen

Prof. Ang Chen is a Professor of Kinesiology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), affiliated with the School of Health and Human Sciences and the Department of Kinesiology. His research focuses on K-12 physical education curriculum interventions, physical literacy, student motivation, and program evaluation. He leads the NIH-funded 'Science of Essential Balance' study involving 22 North Carolina high schools. Dr. Chen has mentored five doctoral students and holds adjunct professor roles at Shanghai University of Sport.

Education: B.Ed. (Nanjing Teachers University), M.Ed. (Shanghai University of Sport), Ph.D. (University of Maryland - College Park). Teaching includes courses on psycho-social aspects of physical education, teacher training, multicultural curricula, statistical methods, and evidence-based practices.

Research emphasizes learning theory applications, curriculum design, and motivational frameworks like Expectancy-Value Theory. Over 100 scholarly presentations and dozens of peer-reviewed articles in top journals reflect his work on cognitive load, physical activity behavior, and equity in education.

Awarded 2018 Outstanding Graduate Mentor (UNCG) and Fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Kinesiology. NIH grants support large-scale studies examining physical education's impact on student outcomes, including motivation, knowledge retention, and long-term physical activity habits.

Professional service includes roles as SHAPE–America Research Fellow and guest professorships in China. Current projects explore gender influences on learning, curriculum alignment with kinesiology principles, and interdisciplinary approaches linking physical activity to academic performance.