Michelle Mottola

Dr. Michelle Mottola is a Professor and Chair of the Division of Maternal, Fetal & Newborn Health at Western University, holding joint appointments in the School of Kinesiology (Faculty of Health Sciences) and the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology in the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. She directs the R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation Exercise and Pregnancy Lab, one of North America's leading facilities specializing in maternal exercise research. Her work focuses on preventing childhood obesity through interventions like the Nutrition & Exercise Lifestyle Intervention Program (NELIP), and she co-authored the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity during Pregnancy.

Education: Ph.D. (University of Alberta), M.Sc. (University of Alberta), B.Sc. (University of Western Ontario).

Research Interests: Dr. Mottola investigates the effects of exercise on maternal and fetal health, emphasizing obesity and diabetes prevention. Key areas include:

• Exercise prescriptions for pregnant/postpartum populations
• Family-based lifestyle interventions
• Placental and fetal outcomes from maternal exercise
• Guideline development for prenatal/postpartum activity

Awards & Honors:

• Fellowships: Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (2020), American College of Sports Medicine (2004)
• Recognition for Teaching Excellence (multiple awards 2003-2014)
• Contributions to global clinical guidelines

Grants & Collaborations: Supported by CIHR, Children’s Health Research Institute. Collaborates internationally on projects like the NEPPE initiative involving 41 countries. Her lab hosts annual conferences like the CSEP pre-conference on pregnancy and childhood health behaviors.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Exercise and Pregnancy Lab, coordinating clinical trials and community outreach to promote evidence-based prenatal/postpartum exercise practices.