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Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Activity for Wellness Lab

The Pregnancy and Postpartum Physical Activity for Wellness (PAW) Lab researches how physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep influence health outcomes. We aim to increase scientific understanding of physical activity’s role in the prevention and management of pregnancy hyperglycemia and promote physical activity in those affected by it. We are also interested in investigating the potential association of prolonged light-intensity physical activity, standing, and sedentary behavior with adverse pregnancy and postpartum outcomes.



Future Students: Interested in working with us?

Students interested in working in the PAW Lab should contact Samantha Ehrlich for more information about open positions. Prospective graduate students may apply for a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology or a PhD in Kinesiology in the Physical Activity Epidemiology Specialization. Assistantships may be available for well-qualified graduate students. Undergraduate students may also work in the PAW Lab. We require undergraduate students to commit to at least one full calendar year of working with us, though longer commitments are preferred. Students working in the PAW Lab assist with ongoing research projects and the development of new projects and are encouraged to develop their ideas for secondary data analysis. Students working in the PAW Lab are encouraged to present at local, regional, and national meetings. Previous students have presented at the Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement (EURēCA) annual event, the Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Regional Meeting, and the  Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research Annual Meeting.

Contact Us

Samantha F. Ehrlich, PhD
Associate Professor, Physical Activity Epidemiology
Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies
sehrlic1@utk.edu

The University of Tennessee Knoxville
1914 Andy Holt Ave
Knoxville, TN 37996-2700
(865) 974-4663