Michelle Frisco

Michelle Frisco

Associate Professor of Sociology & Demography

717 Oswald Tower
University Park , PA 16802-6209 Office Phone: (814) 863-5507

Curriculum Vitae

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Education:

  1. Ph.D. Sociology, The University of Texas, Austin, TX
  2. M.A. Sociology, Baylor University, Waco, TX
  3. B.A. Administration of Justice, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Biography:

Research Interests

My research focuses on health and well-being of young people, with an emphasis on how youth well-being intersects with experiences in families, schools and neighborhoods. For the last decade, the majority of my research has focused on obesity among youth and adolescents, though my broader interests include health disparities more generally, mental health, and the ways that schools shape young people’s lives.

Current Research Projects

I am currently completing a NICHD-funded project focused on the health and well-being of children of Mexican immigrants.  My colleagues and I are investigating how families, schools and neighborhoods shape obesity among Mexican-origin youth.  We are currently expanding this work to focus on the drivers of children’s dietary preferences and behavior.  I am also in the process of developing new projects that more generally focus on health disparities among children and youth.

Research Interests:

population health & health disparities; children's health and well-being, causes & consequences of obesity

Research Interests:

Families, Relationships, and Interpersonal Networks:

health and well-being of young people, obesity among youth and adolescents, health disparities, mental health, the ways that schools shape young people’s lives

Demography:

health and well-being of young people, obesity among youth and adolescents, health disparities, mental health, the ways that schools shape young people’s lives

Health and Life Course:

health and well-being of young people, obesity among youth and adolescents, health disparities, mental health, the ways that schools shape young people’s lives