College of Health & Human Performance

New University of Florida research is examining the often-overlooked connection between intimate partner violence and head trauma among military spouses. In a pilot study of 125 spouses who experienced intimate partner violence, participants with head trauma reported higher levels of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress, along with greater rates of chronic pain and cannabis use. Led by UF doctoral student Sam Goldstein, the research highlights how brain injuries can go unrecognized when symptoms overlap with mental health conditions and underscores the need for improved screening and support within military health care settings.

After 35 years with The Walt Disney Company, UF alumnus Rick Merriman is bringing decades of tourism industry experience into the virtual classroom. Now an adjunct professor in UF’s online master’s program in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management, Merriman draws on a career spanning engineering, marketing, human resources and consumer insights to give students a practical view of the industry. His interactive approach emphasizes relationships, persuasive communication and real-world problem-solving, helping students connect academic concepts with the skills they will need to develop ideas, influence stakeholders and succeed in tourism careers.

A University of Florida-led Alzheimer’s research network has received a $22.3 million, five-year federal grant to accelerate advances in dementia diagnosis, treatment and care. The renewed funding will support the 1Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, a statewide collaboration connecting researchers, health systems and community partners. Using emerging tools such as blood-based biomarkers and advanced clinical assessments, the center aims to identify Alzheimer’s disease earlier, expand access to clinical trials and translate discoveries into better patient care. UF researchers, including Applied Physiology and Kinesiology professor David Vaillancourt, contribute to the multidisciplinary effort.