Qian Li, M.S., is from Hubei, China. She completed her B.S. in Biology from Wuhan University in China, and her M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from University of New Mexico. She is working as a Graduate Assistant at the Center on Health Promotion Research for Persons with Disabilities. Her primary duties involve assisting in data management and data analysis across projects. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Biostatistics.

Dora Fisher, BA, is from both New York City and Boston, and is a graduate assistant at the National Center for Physical Activity and Disability. She received a BA in Political Science and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. Before moving to Chicago in 2007, Dora worked in policy and advocacy for older adults and for housing rights.  Upon moving to Chicago, she coordinated health promotion programming at a senior wellness center for 3 years, which motivated her to pursue a Master of Public Health degree.

Dora’s interests are in chronic disease prevention and management for all people, particularly communities most likely to be left out of the discussion such as older adults, people with disabilities, and immigrant groups.

Carolyn Lullo, MS, PhD Candidate, is currently a Graduate Assistant at the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) and a Doctoral Candidate in the Disability Studies Program within the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago.  She completed her B.S. from Miami University in Oxford, OH in Exercise Science and her M.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Kinesiology. She then spent two years as an Assistant Director of Fitness at Miami University's Recreational Sports Center.  She is particularly interested in (1) factors that influence the health and health behaviors of individuals with disabilities, from the intrapersonal to the policy levels and (2) effective and innovative ways of promoting healthy behaviors in this population.  For her dissertation research, Carolyn is exploring the use and effectiveness of a web-based physical activity promotion program for people with disabilities (NCPAD’s 14-Week Program to a Healthier You!).  She intends to use her findings to expand the field’s understanding of effective and innovative means of increasing physical activity for people with disabilities.

Bhaskaran Srinivasan, BS, is from Chennai, India and has a Bachelors degree in Computer Science from SASTRA University, India. He is currently working as a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Disability and Human Development. His primary duties involve assisting in the development and maintenance of NCPAD's website and providing IT support. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Computer Science.

Vijay Vasudevan, M.P.H., graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a Master’s in Public Health. His current research interests include how race/ethnicity affects barriers and facilitators to physical activity for people with disabilities. Vijay is a graduate assistant under the Health Empowerment Zone grant.

Theresa Vidalon, MSW, is an advanced doctoral student in the Jane Addams College of Social Work at UIC. She is a graduate assistant and member of the Research Core at the CHP. Additionally, she is currently teaching research courses at the Institute for Clinical Social Work and working on her dissertation. Her current research interests focus on exploring family involvement when a relative with severe mental illness resides in a nursing home.

Steph Steiner, BS, is from Nappanee, Indiana.  She earned her BS in Kinesiology from Indiana University-Bloomington.  She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Disability and Human Development with a focus in health promotion. Steph is employed as a research assistant/fitness specialist with the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, where she contributes to a falls prevention study.  Her main interest is promoting health for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities through physical activity.

Leigh Zisko, BA, is a graduate assistant for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP).  She is currently working towards a Masters in Public Health through the School of Public Health, as well as a certificate in Management and Leadership in the Non-Profit Disability Organization through the Department of Disability and Human Development. Before moving to Chicago to begin her graduate studies, Leigh worked as a direct care provider for individuals with disabilities, as a Special Olympics coordinator, and as a case manager for the Arc of Hawaii. Her research interests include obesity prevention and reduction, coping mechanisms and stress reduction for individuals with disabilities, and access to physical activity opportunities for individuals with disabilities on a global scale.