Faculty Advocate Profile

 

Lydia Burak, PhD, CHES

My interest in FAN stems from my belief that the foundation of any great college or university is a happy, healthy, and productive faculty. I also believe that it is my responsibility to work toward building that foundation by contributing any skills, resources, or knowledge that I might possess. I have been teaching at Bridgewater State College since 1998. I have also taught at Plymouth State College, Worcester State College, and the University of Oregon. Prior to entering academia, I spent more than 20 years as a practitioner in the fields of domestic and international community health and community development. Former positions include director of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Tobacco-Free Worksite Project, director of Prevention ONE, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's western Massachusetts regional prevention center, and consultant for the American Cancer Society.

I spent nearly ten years in African countries working with Labat-Anderson, Inc., CHP International, and the United States Peace Corps. My research interests are broad based; I generally test the applicability of social psychology theories and models in predicting health-related behaviors. I have conducted studies addressing numerous health behaviors as well as women’s health issues, AIDS education, school health education, and payment for healthcare. I have been able to have my research published in journals that reflect the multidisciplinary nature of health, including journals in health education and public health, women’s studies, psychology, and marketing.

My own health, happiness, and productivity are nurtured by family, yoga practice, and my enjoyment of salutary activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, reading not-so-good fiction, and watching All My Children.

Phone:    508.531.2045

Email:    lburak@bridgew.edu 

 

 

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Last Modified: January 20, 2009