I entered the field of public health focusing on the intersection of physical activity as a tool for addressing psychosocial development. My research interests include HIV/AIDS, sport for development, physical activity, nutrition, and the Sustainable Development Goals. My research and podcasts are below. If you’d like to discuss any of these topics, I always love learning and exchanging ideas with others. I can be reached via email at melissaotterbein at gmail dot com.

Otterbein, M., Miller Aron, C., Gorczynski, P. (2020). The role of the coach in addressing athlete mental health. https://youtu.be/IgqEOYLe6uw

Otterbein, M. (2020). Physical activity & the Sustainable Development Goals: A public health approach towards advancing the power of movement.  Journal of Emerging Sport Studies.

Melendez-Torres, G.J., Spencer, T.S., Ingram, L., Pettengill, R, Mullman, M., Otterbein, M. Stein, R., Zimmerman, R., Kilburn C., Salihbaeva, O. (2020). Quasi-experimental evaluation of The Grassroot Project, a sport-based sexual health promotion program for urban middle school students. American Journal of Sexuality Education.

Visek, A. J., Blake, E.F., Otterbein, M., Chandran, A., Sylvetsky, A.C. (2018). SWEET MAPS: A conceptualization of low-calorie sweetener consumption among young adults. Current Developments in Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzy103.

Otterbein, M. (2012). Sports as a tool for refugee empowerment.   https://www.sportanddev.org/en/article/publication/sports-tool-refugee-empowerment

Visek, A. J.,Alfonsin, N., Nottingham, K., Otterbein, M., & Chandran, A. (2018). A mixed-method evaluation of fun among girls participating in “Soccer for Success” in East LA. Submitted to the United States Soccer Foundation, 1-20.  

Zimmerman, R., Spencer, T., Ingram, L., Pettengill, R., Otterbein, M., & Stein, R.  (May 31, 2017). Results of a cluster-randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of a sports-based HIV prevention program for at-risk adolescents in Washington, DC schools. Society for Prevention Research Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C. 

Otterbein, M. (2015, July 9). “Why Don’t Men Menstruate?” Sexual Health as a Human Right. https://medium.com/amplify/why-don-t-men-menstruate-sexual-health-education-as-a-human-right-d765be2ebef8

Otterbein, M. Contributor. “Sustainability and Sport With Triathlete Melissa Otterbein.” Women in Sport Podcast. 2019 March. https://www.wispsports.com/transcending-sport/Sustainability-in-Sport-with-Triathlete-Melissa-Otterbein

Otterbein, M. Contributor. “Sport and the Sustainable Development Goals.” Sport Integrity Global Alliance Podcast. 2018 September 20. http://siga-sport.net/podcasts/