معرفی
Nicholas SantaBarbara is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at Merrimack College's School of Nursing and Health Sciences, where he also serves as Graduate Director. He holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Columbia University, an M.Phil. in Kinesiology from Columbia, an M.S. in Strength & Conditioning from Bridgewater State University, and a B.A. in Communications from Stonehill College.
His research focuses on leveraging exercise to treat/prevent chronic diseases and improve health equity among marginalized populations such as substance users, individuals with mental illnesses, and people living with HIV. Recent work emphasizes scalable workplace wellness programs combining exercise and nutrition education to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
His publications (2016-2022) demonstrate a strong focus on:
- Resistance training effects on mental health outcomes (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety)
- Exercise interventions for HIV+ populations
- Workplace wellness program efficacy and cost-effectiveness
- Body image and muscular strength associations
Research consistently integrates behavioral health principles with exercise science to address disparities in underserved communities. Ongoing projects likely expand workplace wellness applications and explore pandemic-era health adaptations.
