Thombs named director of research center
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Dr. Dennis Thombs, associate professor in the Department of Health Education and Behavior, has been appointed director of the Florida Center for Health Promotion.
FCHP was established in 1988 with the mission to provide research and development activities for drug and alcohol education, HIV/AIDS education, nutrition education, physical activity, smoking prevention and cessation, and stress management. In addition to professional development and training opportunities, FCHP faculty also conduct research to develop health promotion strategies for racial, ethnic and cultural groups of all ages.
Thombs takes over the position of director with the purpose of expanding the activity of the center.
“My foremost goal for the center is to secure a greater amount externally funded research,” Thombs said. “Additionally, I hope to build up the center’s visibility and increase the research projects under its vision.”
Thombs joined the faculty of the College of Health and Human Performance in April 2005. Previously, he held the position of professor in the Department of Adult, Counseling, Health and Vocational Education at Kent State University and an adjunct professorship in Public Health at the Eastern Ohio Universities’ Master of Public Health Program.
Thombs’ primary research interests focus on college student alcohol consumption, and he currently is conducting a study examining the relationship between drinking and academic performance in first- and second-year college students. The study is funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
In addition, the third edition of his book, “Introduction to Addictive Behavivors,” is presently in press, and he serves as reviewer or editor for 11 scientific journals.
Credits
- Contact
- Michele Dye, (352) 392-0578
