Katie Potter

Assistant Professor

Developing physical activity interventions with wide dissemination potential that are based in the science of motivation and decision making. I am especially interested in mental and cognitive health benefits of increasing physical activity.

Current Research

Our laboratory is currently focused on pairing people with companion dogs to study how dogs affect physical activity levels and other physical, mental and social health outcomes. We are also designing interventions to address barriers to dog walking among current owners that do not walk their dog.

Learn more at www.umass.edu/sphhs/person/faculty/katie-becofsky

Academic Background

B.A. SUNY New Paltz
M.S. UNC Greensboro
Ph.D. University of South Carolina
Postdoctoral fellowship, The Miriam Hospital/Brown Medical School

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Publications

Potter, K. & Sartore-Baldwin, M. (2019). Dogs as support and motivation for physical activity. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 18(7):275-280. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0000000000000611

http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000611

Leach, H.J., Potter, K. & Hidde, M.C. (2019). A group dynamics-based exercise intervention to improve physical activity maintenance in breast cancer survivors. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 18:1-7. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0667. [Epub ahead of print]

http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2018-0667

Wing, R., Becofsky, K., Wing, E.J., McCaffery, J., Boudreau, M., Evans, E.W., & Unick, J. (2019). Behavioral and cardiovascular effects of a behavioral weight loss program for HIV patients. AIDS and Behavior. doi: 10.1007/s10461-019-02503-x. [Epub ahead of print].

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02503-x

Becofsky, K., Wing, E.J., McCaffery, J., Boudreau, M., & Wing, R.R. (2017). A randomized controlled trial of a behavioral weight loss program for Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected patients. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 65(1): 154-157. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix238. PMID: 28369269.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cid/cix238

Becofsky, K., Wing, E., Wing, R., Richards, K., & Gillani, F. (2016). Obesity prevalence and related risk of co-morbidities among HIV+ patients attending a New England ambulatory center. Obesity Science & Practice, 2(2): 123-127. doi: 10.1111/osp4.38. PMID: 28835853. PMCID: PMC5523689.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/osp4.38

Katie Potter

Institute for Applied Life Sciences