Updates from the Department of Applied Health Science
Updates from the Department of Applied Health Science
Senior recognized for academic excellence and nutrition advocacy
Olivia Stevenson
Nutrition and dietetics senior Olivia Stevenson has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Indiana Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (IAND). Recognized at the organization’s annual meeting this month, Stevenson is passionate about combating nutrition misinformation and shares evidence‑based guidance through her Substack, Liv Well Fed.
Jingyi Wang, director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics, notes that the award reflects both Stevenson’s academic excellence and the strength of the program. After graduating in May, she will begin her master’s program and internship at Ball State University as she works toward becoming a registered dietitian.
The Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has honored Karla Galaviz and Ines Gonzalez-Casanova for theirdiabetes‑preventionwork with rural Latino communities across Indiana. Their project features aco‑designedmobile screening system improving access to early detection and care, withstrong supportfrom community partners whose leadership has been key to its impact.
Prevention Insights analyzes data showing12-year low in tobacco product sales to underage Hoosiers. As part of Indiana's Synar Program, in collaboration with the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) and the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), SPH-B's Prevention Insights team reported that tobacco product sales to underage Hoosiershashit a 12-year low.
Hosted by Indiana Public Media, the recent episode "Rural Indiana: Rural Public Health" features Applied Health Science Clinical Professor Catherine Sherwood-Laughlinand Associate Professor Alison Greene.The title is “An in-depth look at rural Indiana’s greatest public health challenges and how Indiana communities are building solutions that fit their needs”.
Adjunct Professor Kevin Maki in Applied Health Sciences served as senior author on a new randomized controlled trial showing that eating 6–7 ouncesof beef per day doesnotworsen blood sugar regulation or other cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with prediabetes. His leadership on this gold‑standard study adds important evidence to the conversation around diet and type 2 diabetes risk—andshowcasesthe impactful research happening right here at SPH‑B.
GOAL (Get Onboard Active Living) is one of those projects that truly feels like IU—hands-on learning, community partnership, and Hoosier heart all in one place. Housed in the Center for Community-Engaged Dissemination and Implementation Research (CCEDIR), GOAL brings students, alumni, and community partners together to inspire healthier, more active families across Indiana.
The program features two powerhouse service-learning experiences: GOAL University and GOAL Training. These opportunities place undergraduate students from the School of Public Health-Bloomington and the IU School of Nursing directly in community settings to teach fun, practical lessons on physical activity and nutrition. And the momentum is growing—142 students will be out in the field in Fall 2025, leading programs in schools, parks, and neighborhood centers.
For alumni, GOAL is a celebration of what IU does best: preparing future health professionals while strengthening local communities. Alumni can get involved by mentoring students, sharing expertise, partnering for events, or helping GOAL expand into new counties. Every engagement—big or small—helps students grow and helps families across Indiana thrive.
GOAL is more than a program. It’s a movement powered by IU passion, community connection, and alumni who want to make a difference.
