Department: Health and Human Performance 

Health & Human Performance 

Alexei Wong

Academic Credentials

Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

Master of Science in Exercise Physiology
Florida International University, Miami, Florida

Bachelor of Science in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
The University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida

Biography

Arterial function in aging, hypertension, and obesity – The effects of exercise training and nutritional interventions on cardiovascular health -Impact of exercise training and nutritional supplements/strategies on muscular adaptations and body composition in both healthy and diseased cohorts.

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Teaching Area

Research Interests

Publications

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Sara Pappa

Academic Credentials

PhD, MCHES

Biography

Dr. Sara Pappa is an Assistant Professor in the Health and Human Performance Department.
She holds a BS in Health Education and Promotion from the University of Cincinnati, an MA is
Exercise Physiology from Kent State University and a Ph.D. in Health Education from the
The University of Cincinnati. In addition to teaching, she manages the regional falls prevention
the initiative, including the Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance. This work is supported by a
a federal grant from the Administration on Community Living. Current research initiatives include
evidence-based falls prevention programs for older adults and professional preparation of
health educators. In previous roles, she worked in local public health departments in Fairfax
County and in Ohio. She has extensive experience in managing public health projects at the
local, regional and state levels. Her experience includes implementing and evaluating health
promotion programs and policies; conducting community health needs assessments;
developing and evaluating community health improvement plans; media outreach and public
relations; grant research, writing and administration; coalition development and leadership;
and strategic planning.

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Michael Nordvall

Academic Credentials

B.S., Ithaca College
M.S., Southern Connecticut State University
Ed.D., University of Northern Colorado

Biography

Dr. Michael Nordvall has been a member of the faculty at Marymount University since 1998. He completed his undergraduate work in Health Sciences at Ithaca College, his master’s degree in Human Performance at Southern Connecticut State University, and his doctorate in Kinesiology at the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Nordvall is the director of the kinesiology lab for the Health Sciences Program. He was named the 2008 Honors Fellow with the University’s Honors Program.

Teaching Area

Dr. Nordvall teaches several courses in both the undergraduate Health Sciences and graduate Health Promotion Management programs including Introduction to Health and Exercise Science, Honors Exercise Physiology,  Clinical Concepts and Practice in Cardiovascular Disease, and Design of Adult Fitness Programs.

Research Interests

His research interests include the effects of nutritional supplements on cardiovascular and metabolic physiology, performance characteristics of biathletes, and the role of alternative modes of exercise in health.

Publications

For a list of Dr. Nordvall’s publications refer to: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1100-478X […]

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Gwendolyn S. Roberts Francavillo

Academic Credentials

B.A., University of Maryland, Baltimore County
M.P.H., The George Washington University
Ph.D., University of Maryland, College Park
Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)

Biography

Dr. Gwendolyn S. Roberts Francavillo is an experienced, tenured Associate Professor of Public Health in the School of Health Sciences at Marymount University. She has taught and conducted research at universities since 1998 with expertise in stress management, public health ethics, wellness, sexuality, and global health. Dr. Francavillo has an interactive teaching approach to make any topic fun and engaging! A professional endeavor of hers is to establish an interest among her students in research methods and theoretical foundation. Dr. Francavillo has a PhD and Master’s degree in Public Health, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). One of her passions is teaching yoga to varied populations for over 20 years and is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). She has received funding, published findings, and presented at national conferences. Dr. Francavillo feels her calling is to help others embrace positivity, feel empowered to take responsibility for their own health, and be the best selves they can be!

Teaching Area

  • Health Psychology
  • Stress Management
  • Global Health and Culture
  • Public Health Capstone
  • Yoga

Research Interests

  • Stress Management
  • Public Health Ethics
  • Sexual Assault

Publications

  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2021). Psychosocial Holistic Stress Management: Innovative Factors and Techniques Associated with a Reduction of Perceived Stress. Presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Public Health Association.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2021). “Soul-utions” for Stress Reduction. Presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Public Health Association.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2021). Health and Immigration Ethics: How Would You Decide? Presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Society for Public Health Education.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2021). Developing an Effective, Interactive Online Intervention to Target Public Health Issues and Risk Behaviors. Presented at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Society for Public Health Education.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2019, November). Applying an Ethical Decision-Making Framework to Case Studies Involving Public Health Issues and Risk Behaviors. Presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo of the American Public Health Association, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2017). College Students Experience Sexual Assault Disproportionately as a Result of Disparities. Presented at the 2017 annual meeting of the National Wellness Conference, St. Paul, MN.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2017). Educating vulnerable students with evidence-based sexual assault information. Presented at the 2017 Global Perspectives International Conference, Marymount University, Arlington, VA.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2015). Improving prevention and response to sexual misconduct on campus: How the data help us. Presented at the 2015 annual meeting of the American College Health Association, Orlando, FL.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2013). Sexual education, sexual communication, sexual assault knowledge, rape myths, acceptance, and sexual assault experience among deaf and hard of hearing college students. Presented at the 2013 Bridging the Gap Conference, Vancouver, WA.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2013). Sexuality assault knowledge among deaf and hard of hearing college students. Presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Boston, MA.
  • Francavillo, G. S. R. (2010). Sexuality education, sexual communication, rape myth acceptance, and sexual assault experience among Deaf and Hard of Hearing college students. Presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, Denver, CO.

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Marymount University