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Movement & Nutrition

New Grant Highlight

Movement and Nutrition researcher Cassie Mitchell, PhD, RDN/LDN, is part of a team developing a new statewide initiative to help prevent type 2 diabetes among Oklahomans at increased risk for the disease. Mitchell, along with HPRC investigators Adam Alexander, PhD, and Jordan Neil, PhD, received a $300,000 award from the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center to develop Connect2Care Prevent: A Statewide Diabetes Screening and Intervention Initiative.

The project will partner with Our Blood Institute to reach blood donors who may have elevated risk for type 2 diabetes based on routine blood sample testing. Participants who choose to enroll will receive personalized digital education, information to help them understand their diabetes risk, and connections to prevention programs and care.

Mitchell and the team plan to address the growing burden of diabetes in Oklahoma, with the goal of helping people take action earlier, improve prediabetes self-management, and prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.

The initiative represents an important step toward using digital tools and community partnerships to connect Oklahomans with the resources they need to prevent chronic disease and improve long-term health outcomes.

Funding: Harold Hamm Diabetes Center
Award: $300,000
Project Period: July 9, 2026–July 8, 2027
HPRC Movement and Nutrition Researcher: Cassie Mitchell, PhD, RDN/LDN

Studies Recruiting Participants

Examining the Independent and Combined Effects of Dietary Fiber and Time Restricted Eating on Indicators of Cancer Risk (FIT)

Impact of semaglutide administration on tobacco use behavior and related mechanisms among smokers with obesity (ONSET)

Cerebrovascular, Cognitive, Pro-Inflammatory, and Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Cancer Survivors with and without Type II Diabetes Reporting Chemo-Brain: Baseline Differences and Impact of Activity (CICI-PA)

Alumni Association Team

Publications

HPRC Movement and Nutrition researchers focus on helping individuals integrate healthy eating and physical activity into their daily lives. Explore their publications from the past year.

Movement & Nutrition Researchers

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Dr. Jenny Barton is a developmental and family scientist who uses longitudinal and intervention methodologies to understand what, how, and where young children are fed to improve nutrition and growth and reduce cardiometabolic health disparities, with an emphasis on supporting rural families who experience economic hardship and food insecurity.

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Dr. Sarah Borengasser has been an exercise, nutrition, and obesity researcher for nearly 20 years studying interventions to prevent and treat obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease in mother-infant pairs and adults with obesity. She also investigates molecular biomarkers in response to interventions, primarily epigenetics.

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Dr. Ashlea Braun is a dietician scientist who examines how manipulation of specific components within the diet can be combined with behavior change techniques for actionable, sustainable, and scalable behavior change to prevent and improve outcomes associated with chronic disease.

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Dr. Cassie Mitchell studies how nutrition and exercise before and after pregnancy influence disease risk for both mothers and babies. Drawing on her expertise in nutrition, exercise physiology, and health promotion, she serves as Director of Nutrition Research at the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, where she leads highly controlled feeding studies and supports community-based nutrition research.

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Dr. Zachary Pope is an exercise physiologist who uses smartphone applications and wearable devices to implement novel health behavior change programs among those living with and beyond cancer, with chronic conditions (e.g., type 2 diabetes), or with physical or intellectual disabilities.

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Dr. Michael Robertson is a behavioral scientist who uses mHealth and telehealth to help older adults, people with a history of cancer, and children engage in health-promoting movement practices that are enjoyable, meaningful, and personally relevant. His work incorporates acceptance and mindfulness practices, emotion regulation techniques, and elements of game design to support lasting motivation for active living.

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Dr. Marianna Wetherill is a registered dietitian and population health interventionist who uses community-based Food is Medicine collaborations with food banks, clinics, tribal communities, and social service organizations to develop and evaluate trauma-informed, medically tailored nutrition interventions data that address food insecurity and improve health outcomes across diverse populations.

Movement & Nutrition Researchers Labs and Initiatives

CARLL

Director: Dr. Sarah Borengasser

The NutrEx Lab's mission is to investigate how behavioral or environmental exposures in adults and youth can influence molecular biomarkers (epigenetic, metabolic, microbial, proteins) that may change risk for obesity, diabetes, and premature aging.

CARLL

Director: Dr. Marianna Wetherill

The Oklahoma Food is Medicine Initiative (OK-FIMI) supports efforts that advance multi-sector, “no wrong door” approaches that remove barriers to food is medicine (FIM) for the prevention and treatment of chronic health conditions. In direct collaboration with social service, clinic, and other organizations, OK-FIMI provides FIM program design, implementation, and evaluation support, in addition to exploring FIM related research questions of interest to community partners.

CARLL

Director: Dr. Cassie Mitchell

From clinic to community, the PLANTED Lab focuses on translating and implementing culturally grounded nutrition, exercise, and physical activity interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease in women and children. Through community-engaged research and partnerships, the lab works to develop sustainable, evidence-based strategies that improve health outcomes and reduce disparities across diverse populations.

SHIFTS Lab

Director: Dr. Ashlea Braun

The SHIFTS Lab's mission is to develop novel psychotherapeutic approaches that help individuals engage in more healthful dietary patterns. The Lab possesses the resources necessary for motivational interviewing, behavioral intervention design and fidelity monitoring, and diet assessment while also having access to Nutrition Data Systems for Research software and bioelectrical impedance. By combining these tools, the Lab aims to advance sustainable, personalized approaches to nutrition and behavior change. 

ALVY Lab

Co-Directors: Dr. Michael Robertson & Dr. Zachary Pope

The Active Living & Vitality (ALVY) Lab's promotes meaningful movement practices that support human flourishing. By integrating behavioral and exercise sciences, the lab develops technology-based interventions to enhance active living and well-being among diverse clinical and underserved populations, including individuals living with or beyond cancer, older adults, and children. The lab leverages advanced research technologies and collaborative partnerships to support its work.