Research to real-world impact

For Kansas State University faculty, staff and students working to make a difference through research, Extension and community partnerships, generating data is only part of the process. The next steps involve bridging the gap between what research tells us works and putting it into action for lasting community benefit.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, Samantha Harden, associate professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise at Virginia Tech and Anna Gorczyca, research assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center, will present a seminar on leveraging community engagement and implementation science for sustainable interventions.

Attendees will learn about how working with community partners can help bridge evidence-based health programs into sustainable practices that fit local needs and deliver lasting benefits.

Harden is also a physical activity extension specialist and director of the Physical Activity Research and Community Implementation Laboratory. Her community-engaged research focuses on helping Extension and community partners implement, adapt and sustain evidence-based health programs that improve physical activity, well-being and quality of life. She has authored more than 135 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to more than $29 million in funded research, and serves as a member of the national PRISM/RE-AIM Consortium.

Gorczyca’s research focuses on improving the reach, adoption and sustainability of evidence-based health promotion programs in rural communities, particularly for chronic disease prevention and weight management. She currently partners with K-State Extension on an NIH-funded R01 project evaluating the National Diabetes Prevention Program in rural communities and collaborates with other Cooperative Extension systems, healthcare organizations and community partners to expand access to preventive health services.

Faculty, staff and students who want to engage and learn more are invited to join the speakers for “Beyond Partnership Development” at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in 163 Justin Hall. A meet-and-greet will follow the presentation until 5 p.m.

— Submitted by College of Health and Human Sciences