Elizabeth Lyons

Elizabeth Lyons, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition Sciences and Health Behavior at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Health Professions. She holds the Grace Bucksch Gnitzinger Distinguished Professorship in Aging and is a fellow of the Sealy Center on Aging.

• Education: BA in English and Psychology (University of Texas at Austin), MPH and PhD in Health Behavior and Health Education (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Her research focuses on technology-driven physical activity interventions for aging populations and cancer survivors, with specialization in:

• Behavioral change through gamification
• Wearable technology applications
• Cancer survivorship programs
• Mobile health (mHealth) platforms

Notable trends in her recent publications (2025-2012) include:

• Systematic reviews on physical activity and telomere length
• Behavior change techniques in electronic monitors
• Interventions for Hispanic women and older adults

Awards and Grants:

• NIA grant #5R01AG06409205 for social media games in aging populations
• NIH grant for narrative visualization in cancer survivors
• American Cancer Society grant for game-oriented activity monitoring
• Distinguished Professor in Aging award

Lyons collaborates with institutions like the National Cancer Institute and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, developing team science interventions and analyzing health disparities. Her work combines health behavior theory with digital innovation to address aging and oncology challenges.