Margaret McCarthy

Margaret McCarthy is an Assistant Professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where she conducts research on promoting physical activity and cardiovascular health in high-risk populations, including adults with diabetes and heart failure. She is a family nurse practitioner and exercise physiologist with a strong focus on behavioral interventions and digital health technologies.

• PhD in Nursing – New York University
• MS in Family Nursing Practitioner – Pace University
• MA in Exercise Physiology – Adelphi University
• BSN – Binghamton University
• Post-doctoral Training in Nursing – Yale University

Her research centers on improving cardiovascular health through physical activity promotion, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as Black and Latino adults with type 2 diabetes, emerging adults with type 1 diabetes, and patients with heart failure. She investigates barriers and facilitators to exercise, the role of social support, and the impact of technology such as remote patient monitoring and clinical decision support tools in clinical settings. Her recent publications reveal a consistent emphasis on implementation science, health disparities, and the integration of objective activity data (e.g., Fitbit) into electronic health records to improve patient outcomes.

Her research trends show a strong focus on validating physical activity assessment tools like the Physical Activity Vital Sign, developing and testing interventions to increase physical activity, and understanding the social and psychological determinants of cardiovascular health. She frequently employs mixed-methods designs and theoretical frameworks such as Pender’s Health Promotion Model and the EPIS framework.

• Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2018)
• Fellow, American Heart Association (2017)
• Overall Distinguished Student, NYU College of Nursing (2013)

Dr. McCarthy is actively involved in mentoring and advising, as she is currently accepting PhD students. Her work has been supported by institutional and clinical partnerships, including NYU Langone Health, and she collaborates with multidisciplinary teams across nursing, cardiology, and public health. She has contributed to workplace health promotion initiatives and the implementation of large-scale physical activity interventions within academic healthcare systems. Her research has direct clinical relevance for improving self-care, reducing cardiovascular risk, and addressing health inequities.

She is affiliated with professional organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Heart Association, Eastern Nursing Research Society, and Society of Behavioral Medicine. Her lab and team focus on digital health innovation, chronic disease self-management, and cardiovascular risk reduction through behavioral change.