Gareth Dutton

Dr. Gareth Dutton is a Professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), holding appointments in the School of Medicine (Preventive Medicine Department) and the School of Public Health (Health Behavior Department). He also serves as a Senior Scientist across multiple research centers including the Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC), O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS). He earned a PhD in Social & Behavioral Science from Louisiana State University and a BA in Psychology from Samford University.

His research focuses on obesity disparities, behavioral interventions for cardiometabolic health, and the intersection of social determinants with chronic disease prevention. Key areas include weight management strategies, health equity in diabetes and hypertension, and leveraging technology for physical activity promotion among African American populations. He has led over 30 grants from NIH, CDC, and other agencies, emphasizing community-based solutions for health disparities.

Recent work explores gamification for physical activity, adaptive interventions for insulin sensitivity, and the impact of social stigma on health outcomes. He advises numerous graduate students and has published extensively on topics like weight discrimination in clinical settings and pandemic-related mental health challenges among individuals with obesity.

• Education: PhD in Clinical Psychology (LSU), BA in Psychology (Samford University)
• Grants: Over 30 funded projects, including NORC, Deep South Center for Health Disparities, and CDC initiatives
• Labs/Teams: Active in NORC, O'Neal Cancer Center, and the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE)
• Advising: Mentor to 12+ graduate students in obesity research and public health