PHEAPA Lab Info

Luis Columna, a native of San Juan Puerto Rico, is currently an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology Department at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Prior to coming to Madison, Professor Columna was an Associate Professor at Syracuse University, NY. His research focuses on ways to increase the participation of families (especially Latino) of children with disabilities into physical activity and also his research focuses on ways to better prepare physical activity professionals and physical education teachers to work with diverse populations. To address the physical activity needs of children with disabilities and their parents, Dr. Columna developed the Fit Families Program. Fit Families is a physical activity program that brings together children with disabilities (e.g. visual impairments: autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental disabilities), their parents, college students and in-service professionals in the fields of adapted physical education, special educators, psychologist, physical education, and exercise science, among others.
Our line of research is expanding to all areas across the lifespan. As such, outreach is in the process of developing and implementing interventions in the areas of strength training, yoga, and dance for adults with disabilities and their caregivers.
Dr. Columna was the recipient of to awards due to the contribution of his work. One of them, For instance, the University of Wisconsin Madison recognize his work through the Community Engagement Award. At the National level, Dr. Columna was the recipient of the G. Lawrence Rarick Research Award from the National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities. This award is in recognition to Dr. Columna’s research contributions to the field.

ambarry3@wisc.edu

Ashlyn is a current graduate student who joined the PHEAPA Lab after completing her Kinesiology degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Before joining our lab, Ashlyn served various communities in Wisconsin through her positions as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), home health aide, and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Ashlyn is interested in exploring the impact of different modalities of physical activity on physiological and neurological outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Currently, Ashlyn is evaluating the impacts of resistance training for young adults with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome. She will be expanding her work to evaluate the effects of exercise on the development of Alzheimers for individuals with Down Syndrome. Outside of her research, Ashlyn enjoys sand volleyball, snowboarding, and exploring the Madison trails with her dog.

gswarup@wisc.edu 

Gayatri is a graduate student in the Department of Kinesiology and a member of the PHEAPA lab since Fall 2021. Originally from India, Gayatri received a Bachelor of Education degree with an emphasis in Health Education and Yoga from Panjab University, India. Additionally, she also completed a minor in Public Administration given her interest in management and public service. Gayatri’s research interests include developing and evaluating yoga interventions to promote physical, social and psychological well-being in autistic children and their parents. Currently, Gayatri is exploring the perspectives of mothers of autistic children toward yoga and their intentions to participate in such programs. Outside of research, Gayatri enjoys music, playing Badminton and spending time outdoors!

montanezalic@wisc.edu

Nicole is a graduate student who joined the PHEAPA Lab in Fall 2022. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, who received a BA degree in Adapted and Elementary Physical Education at the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamón Campus. As part of her vision to provide better services and enhance the quality of life to individuals with special needs/disabilities she became certified as a dance instructor and equine-therapy assistant. Nicole’s research interests center around the field of adapted physical activity and recreation for individuals with any form of functional diversity. Currently, Nicole is a graduate student in our lab and she is exploring the perceptions of Hispanic Latino caregivers towards physical activity engagement. By doing so, she intends to empower underrepresented families of individuals with disabilities to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives by engaging in enjoyable physical activities that promote well-being, and quality of life. Outside of her research, you can most likely find her social dancing around Madison.

ccuebas@wisc.edu

Carlos is a graduate student in the Department of Kinesiology. He grew up in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, and obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. He holds two bachelor’s degrees. One in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Physical Education and another with an emphasis on Coaching and Officiating. Additionally, he obtained a curricular sequence in Adapted Physical Education, which sparked his passion for teaching individuals with disabilities in various physical activities. His research interests are focused on developing physical activity interventions and programs for Latino children with disabilities and their families. Carlos aims to bring these interventions and programs to Puerto Rico in the future. Apart from research, he enjoys playing sports, exploring the outdoors, and watching sitcoms.

jamie.jaimeconcepcion@wisc.edu

Jamie is a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the Department of Kinesiology and forms part of Dr. Columna’s Promotion of Health Equity and Adapted Physical Activity (PHEAPA) Lab. Originally from Puerto Rico, Jamie received a double BA degree in Physical Education in the areas of Coaching & Training, and Teaching at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus. She completed a curricular sequence in Adapted Physical Education where she worked with individuals with disabilities, specifically children with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome. Seeing the limited resources for this population in Puerto Rico and her interest in making an impact, Jamie completed a Minor in Business Development with the goal of having her own business related to physical activity with an inclusive approach. One of her professional goals is to combine her Kinesiology and business background to provide physical activity opportunities for individuals with disabilities. As part of the PHEAPA Lab, Jamie is working towards developing inclusive physical activity interventions for individuals with disabilities and their families to promote well-being and enhance quality of life. Jamie’s research interests center on physical activity and exercise training interventions for Latino parents of individuals with developmental disabilities. Outside of her research, you will most likely find her absorbed in romance or mystery books. 

Dr. Benazir Meera is a postdoctoral associate in the Geriatric Health Services Research Lab in the Department of Kinesiology at UW- Madison. Dr. Meera’s research interests revolve around developing, implementing, and evaluating scalable and sustainable digital health interventions. These interventions aim to promote positive health-related behaviors, particularly physical activity, and ultimately enhance the overall quality of life for individuals with diverse abilities and their families. Her work combines cutting-edge technology, evidence-based strategies, and a compassionate approach to address the unique challenges faced by diverse populations.

Dr. Meera is also a former athlete of the Indian National Short Track Speed Ice Skating team. She currently shares her life with her beloved golden retriever dog, Jelly! Outside of work, she can be found running/biking her lungs out on trails or mindlessly surfing on her couch. She calls this a healthy balance.

Dr. Laura Andrea Prieto is from Bogotá, Colombia, and grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Prieto earned her Ph.D. in Kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a concentration on Motor Control and Behavior and adapted physical activity. Dr. Prieto’s dissertation work focused on the planning and evaluation of community-based physical activity programs, specifically the evaluation of Fit Families, a program for autistic children and their families led by Dr. Columna, and the planning of a future dance program for Latine/x older adults.

Dr. Prieto is currently a Primary Care Post Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health working with Dr. Kristen Pickett in the Department of Kinesiology. Her research focuses on adapted physical activity and dance for Latine/x older adults and their families. Her two main research projects focus on: 1) the development of a dance program for Latine/x older adults within Wisconsin, and 2) a qualitative study on physical activity experiences of Latine/x adults with Parkinson disease and their care partners, which was recently funded by the American Parkinson Disease Association

Finally, Dr. Prieto is passionate about mentoring students and plans on collaborating with communities in Colombia and other Latin American countries in the future. Outside of research, Dr. Prieto enjoys dancing, being outdoors, and having “asados” or cookouts with family and friends.

Please feel free to reach out at lprieto@wisc.edu or via LinkedIn