10:17 a.m., Jan. 7, 2011----Iva Obrusnikova, assistant professor in the Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition at the University of Delaware, will be among 11 candidates to be inducted as Research Consortium fellows at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) Convention and Exposition in San Diego on March 31.

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She will join approximately 375 fellows in the consortium, a member group of over 5,500 research scholars and other members of AAHPERD who have a strong interest in research. Recognition as a fellow signifies the development of a focused research agenda with an accompanying publication track record in an area related to human health and physical activity.

Obrusnikova's research focuses on developing strategies for increasing physical activity and social interaction among children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders, particularly autism spectrum disorders (ASD). During the summer of 2010, she conducted a pilot study on the use of therapy dogs in a physical education class for children between the ages of 9-14 with ASD.

Obrusnikova joined the UD faculty in July 2006. She received her doctorate in kinesiology and adapted physical education from Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic, in 2004.

In nominating Obrusnikova, Susan Hall, deputy dean in the College of Health Sciences and professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, wrote: “As an assistant professor, Dr. Obrusnikova is early in her career, but I am confident that in time she will become recognized as one of the leaders in the sub-discipline of adapted physical education. I am also confident that with fellow status, Dr. Obrusnikova will be an even more active and contributing member of the Research Consortium.”

AAHPERD is the largest organization of professionals supporting and assisting those involved in physical education, leisure, fitness, dance, and health promotion. The mission of the AAHPERD Research Consortium is to advance, promote, and disseminate quality research within and across the disciplines and the professions served by AAHPERD.

Article by Diane Kukich