Staff: Jessica D. Welch, BS
Jessica D. Welch, BS
Cancer Research Training Award Fellow
Jessica Welch, B.S., was a Cancer Research Training Award Fellow in the Basic Biobehavioral and Psychological Sciences Branch (BBPSB) within the Behavioral Research Program (BRP) from September 2017 to September 2018.
Ms. Welch earned a bachelor's degree in clinical exercise science with a minor in psychology from Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Ms. Welch is also a certified Health and Wellness Coach from Wellcoaches, American College of Sports Medicine, and is a Tobacco Treatment Specialist through the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence.
Ms. Welch's research interests include behavior modification, motivation, personality, and emotions regarding high-risk cancer behaviors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition. Her past research experience includes narrative transport via health messages about indoor sun tanning, eye-tracking and memory, and the effects of exercise on postprandial responses.
From her experience working with clients, Ms. Welch's primary interests shifted from studying health behaviors themselves (i.e., exercise and dietary changes) to the factors that motivate people to change their behaviors.
"Where are they now?": Following up with past BRP fellows
Updated September 2019
Current Title
Director of Corporate Wellness
Allegro Coaching (A third-party Corporate Wellness company based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan)
How has your BRP fellowship influenced your career?
It opened up opportunities to me that were many years beyond what I could've had access to prior to this fellowship.
Describe a favorite memory or two from your fellowship experience.
Going to SRNT (Society For Research On Nicotine and Tobacco) was unbelievable. Hearing from true leaders in tobacco cessation work was so captivating and an experience I never would have had without this fellowship. It was also incredible to me that I could be in an environment around leaders in the research community every day.
Describe your current position, your current organization, and what you do.
I am the Director of Corporate Wellness at a third-party Corporate Wellness company. I currently lead a team of 15 people and help run the wellness programs of 35 different organizations in our community. I help organize and interpret aggregate data, lead wellness workshops and challenges, health coach, and develop programs that help people enjoy their workplace more and live healthier, happier lives.
Publications from Fellowship Work
- Welch JD, Ellis EM, Green PA, Ferrer RA. Social support, loneliness, eating, and activity among parent-adolescent dyads. J Behav Med. 2019 May 15.
- Welch JD, Ellis EM. Sex Differences in the Association of Perceived Ambiguity, Cancer Fatalism, and Health-Related Self-Efficacy with Fruit and Vegetable Consumption. J Health Commun. 2018;23(12):984-992.
Current and/or past BRP mentors include Rebecca Ferrer and Erin Ellis.
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