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Team Members
The team members of the Body Appreciation & Better Eating (BABE) Study are made up of experienced and dedicated professors, researchers, and students from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds at the University of South Carolina.Â
Meet them below!
Claire Elder
Research Assistant
Claire Elder, an undergraduate student at the University of South Carolina, is studying Middle Level Education with a focus in English and science while also pursuing a minor in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. She is a Capstone Scholar and a member of the Panhellenic Greek life community on campus. She is passionate about working with children and students of all ages and is grateful to be part of this research project.
Fun fact!
Claire is working as a camp counselor this summer being a leader and mentor to children ages 7-14, engaging in hands-on activities that range from canoeing, horseback-riding, arts and crafts, sports games, and more.
Aynesha Syed
Research Assistant
Aynesha Syed is a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major at the University of South Carolina. Her dream is to be a Nephrologist. Aynesha loves cats, reading sad books, working out, anything sweet, and doing henna.
Fun Fact!
Aynesha was born in India and moved to the US when she was 6!
Brie Turner-McGrievy, Ph.D, MS, RD
Study Chair
Dr. Brie Turner-McGrievy received her Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Registered Dietitian credentials from the University of Alabama. She completed her doctoral degree in nutrition and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Currently, she is an associate professor at the University of South Carolina in the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior and Deputy Director for the TecHealth Center in the Arnold School of Public Health.
Dr. Turner-McGrievy’s research focuses on behavioral interventions for weight loss and the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Dr. Turner-McGrievy’s research has included the use of emerging technologies for weight loss and plant-based dietary approaches for chronic disease prevention and treatment among adults.
Fun fact!
Dr. Brie has twin boy/girl high schoolers so she is excited about this work that will focus on improving body image among teens.
Bridget Armstrong, Ph.D
Dr. Armstrong is licensed in clinical psychology and has worked with children and families in clinical practice and research. Her research examines the etiology of health behaviors related to pediatric obesity. Her work aims to leverage intensive longitudinal data to examine the predictors and dynamics of health behaviors including sleep, screen time, sedentary behavior, and mental health. Based on a socio-ecological perspective, her work spans multiple levels of influence, from environmental, to social/interpersonal, and biological.
Fun Fact!
Dr. Armstrong enjoys playing the ukulele!
Lucy Ingram, Ph.D
Dr. Lucy Ingram is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior (HPEB) and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Online Education for the Arnold School of Public Health. She has focused her public health career on conducting research on women’s reproductive health, sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, and racial health disparities by exploring the social and contextual factors that impact the health of women and youth. She also is interested in developing programs and structures that promote diversity in research and scholarship. Additionally, she has taught courses in sexual health, health communication, health disparities, and program planning, and has actively served on a number of boards for non-profit organizations. She is an alumnus of Emory University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and received her Master of Public Health and Doctorate of Philosophy in Health Promotion and Education both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Fun Fact!
Dr. Ingram is from Calumet Park, IL, a suburb of Chicago. In 2010, the mayor of her village, of approximately 8,000 residents, named one of the major streets "Obama Drive" in honor of President Obama. This road became the first "Obama Drive" in the U.S. and the first road name after him in his home state of IL.
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Mary J. Wilson, Ph.D, MPH
Dr. Mary Jones Wilson is an Assistant Research Professor at the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health in the Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior and has worked in the field of Public Health for more than 15 years. She has worked specifically on minority health research over the last 13 years. Her research and public health experiences include obesity, diabetes, heart disease prevention, community engagement and organizing, nutrition, health policy, and program evaluation. She has also served as a Health Educator for Prisma Health for 10 years and is certified through Emory University in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a Healthy Lifestyles Coach. Dr. Wilson is also a proud member of the Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (a public service sorority), serves on the Health and Wellness Ministry at Journey United Methodist Church, and is a board member for Wholespire (an organization that is focused on inspiring wellness in all communities). Dr. Wilson also enjoys spending time with her family (husband, son, two daughters, and mini poodle), traveling, being physically active (walking, skating, biking, Zumba, hip-hop aerobic dance, swimming, cooking, and gardening.
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Fun Fact!
Dr. Wilson is the Founder and Owner of RoseMARYly- an all-natural hair care product line that she launched to primarily help African Americans care for the crown of their creation with love.
Team: Our Team
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