UNT faculty member earns national award

Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - 19:13
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DENTON (UNT), Texas--Tao Zhang, assistant professor of kinesiology, health promotion and recreation in the University of North Texas College of Education, has earned the Mabel Lee Award from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) — the largest organization of professionals involved in physical activity and health, and other areas related to a healthy and active lifestyle.

The Mabel Lee Award is given to younger members who have demonstrated outstanding potential in scholarship, teaching or professional leadership. Zhang will accept the award at the 2013 AAHPERD National Convention April 25 (Thursday) in Charlotte, N.C.

“I am grateful for this very high honor in this international organization,” Zhang said. “This award provides an opportunity for me to better contribute to the field and conduct research focusing specifically on interdisciplinary issues involving physical activity and health.”

 

About Tao Zhang

Zhang, who joined the UNT faculty in 2009, has made more than 50 research presentations at international and national conferences and authored or co-authored 13 refereed research articles in the U.S. and 17 in China, and more than 40 peer-reviewed research abstracts, conference papers and book chapters. His research focuses on supportive physical and social environments, achievement motivation, physical activity, and health outcomes from social, psychological and behavioral perspectives. He was inducted as a Fellow in the Research Consortium of AAHPERD in 2012.

Since 2010, he has received several grants to incorporate emerging technologies into students’ learning. He has already mentored both undergraduate and graduate students who have received state and national awards for their research. He has been a reviewer for 13 scholarly journals and reviewed abstracts at 15 national conferences. He serves as the Editorial Board Member for the Journal of American College Health. He has also served on several committees of professional organizations and received the Outstanding Service Award from the International Chinese Society for Physical Activities and Health.

Zhang earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology from Shanghai University of Sport and a doctoral degree in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University. He is a former lecturer and coach at Shanghai University of Sport and Shanghai Aquatic Sports Center in China, where he led his women’s rowing teams to win two national championships.

 

 

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