Mariah L Wellman

Mariah L Wellman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on social media influencers, wellness industry rhetoric, and health communication dynamics.

• Ph.D. in Communication, University of Utah
• M.A. in Journalism, University of Iowa

Her work examines:

• Digital wellness communities and influencer authority
• Intersection of wellness trends with politics and genetics
• Repackaging of diet culture in modern social media
• Patient-provider communication mediated through digital platforms

Recent publications analyze Instagram's role in domesticating Health at Every Size principles and TikTok's wellness tourism content. Funded by National Institutes of Health through the Utah Center for Excellence in ELSI research.