Megan McVay, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Education and Behavior. She completed her PhD in Psychology (Clinical and Biological areas) at Louisiana State University and completed her clinical internship and postdoctoral training at Duke University Medical Center and Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Dr. McVay conducts research on behavioral aspects of weight management. Her current work is focused on initiation and engagement in evidence-based approaches to weight management among adults with obesity. This focus stems from recognizing that the majority of adults with obesity do not initiate evidence-based weight loss treatments. To address this, she is focused on (1) developing and testing strategies that mobilize non-treatment seeking adults with obesity to enroll in empirically supported weight loss interventions and on (2) identifying or developing weight loss interventions (including preventive interventions) that are more likely to be initiated and sustained by adults with obesity. This work includes a focus on using digital health tools to address these and other aspects of weight management. Dr. McVay’s research has been supported by grants from numerous NIH institutes.

Dr. McVay is a member of several professional organizations including The Obesity Society (TOS) and Society of Behavior Medicine (SBM), where she is the Secretary/Treasurer. She has received awards for research presentations from the Society of Behavior Medicine, The Obesity Society, and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She has published in leading journals, including American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Genetics in Medicine, and Translational Behavioral Medicine. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in topics including research methods and behavioral and environmental determinants of obesity and mentors University of Florida students pursuing Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees.

Wendy has her doctoral degree from the University of Florida Department of Health Education and Behavior, where she completed her dissertation on parent's perspectives on engaging their children in weight management programs. She is currently the research coordinator for the MyHealthPath study.

Francesca is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Health Education and Behavior. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Health Education. She also graduated from the University of Florida with her M.S. in Health Education and Behavior and became a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES®). 

Francesca is from Dallas, Texas. In her free time, she likes reading, cooking vegan food and finding local vegan spots, watching and coaching gymnastics, and spending time with her boyfriend and cats. 

Her research goals include promoting the use of plant-based diets to slow down the effects of climate change and promoting increased fruit and vegetable consumption as well as physical activity for weight management. 

Dieulerne is a Research Assistant for the McVay Management Lab. She graduated Spring 2024 from the University of Florida with her B.S. in Health Education and minor in Food Science. She plans to gain relevant experience working in the lab before continuing her education.

Dieulerne is from Immokalee, FL and in her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Matthew is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida. He is majoring in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with a minor in Business Administration. He will be graduating in 2026. Matthew To plans to pursue graduate school and hopes to earn a PhD.

Matthew is from Burlington, IA. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, playing video games, trying new restaurants, singing, and doing extracurriculars. 

Olivia is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida. She is majoring in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology on a pre-medical track and will be graduating in 2026. Her current specialties of interest include physical medicine & rehabilitation, sports medicine, neurology, and psychiatry.

Olivia is from Simsbury, CT and enjoys skiing when she is home. In her free time, she also enjoys weightlifting, listening to music, and spending time outdoors.

Ava is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida pursuing a Bachelor of Health Science on the Pre-Medical track. She is a member of Dr. McVay’s research team, where she studies the behavioral aspects of weight management. After earning her degree, Ava plans to attend medical school to continue her path toward a career in medicine.

Originally from Tampa, Florida, Ava enjoys working out, running, traveling, and spending time with friends and family in her free time.

Avantika is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida majoring in Microbiology and Cell Science with a minor in Public Health. She is currently on a pre-med track and will be graduating in 2027. After graduation, Avantika plans to take a gap year where she wants to travel and work while building her application to apply to medical school. Particularly she is interested in surgery, cardiology, and pediatrics.

Originally from Wellington, Florida, Avantika enjoys relaxing at the beach, cozying up with a good book, and spending time with her family, friends, and puppy.

Kaitlin is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida. She is majoring in Nutritional Sciences and plans to graduate in 2028. After earning her degree, she plans to attend dental school, where she hopes to combine her knowledge in nutrition with dental medicine to promote oral health. 

Kaitlin is from San Jose, CA, and she enjoys weightlifting, cooking, hiking, and reading in her free time. 

Montserrat graduated with her PhD in Health Education & Behavior in Summer 2023. Currently, she works as a Health Educator Specialist with GatorWell at the University of Florida (UF). 

Montserrat's current work focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating health promotion strategies related to stress management behaviors (i.e., stress management, time management, and sleep habits) for the UF student community.

Her goals are to combine her research on obesity management and adapted interventions with her current focus on stress management to improve students' well-being.

Luis is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Florida. He is majoring in Health Education and Behavior and will be graduating in 2024. Luis is a pre-physician assistant student who plans on going to PA school in the following year after gaining some experience in the clinical field.

Luis is from Miami, FL and in his free time he enjoys weightlifting, playing video games and board games. He also loves to cook and watch anime.

Tianna is currently a senior in the college of Health and Human Performance majoring in Health Education and Behavior. After graduation, she plans to be awarded a Doctor of Dental Medicine to serve and increase access to dental treatment in diversified communities.

Tianna is from West Palm Beach, FL and in her free time she enjoys trying new recipes to cook at home.

Matthew is a graduate student in the Health Education and Behavior program. He obtained his B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Central Florida. He was born in Luton, England and raised in Brevard, North Carolina. His research interests are working with childhood obesity and studying a holistic family approach in weight management and physical activity. Other areas of interest is researching how mental health plays a role in health behaviors.

​He enjoys playing golf, attending sporting events, and cooking.  

​Since leaving the Weight Management Lab, Michelle has been focused on pursuing her passion for people and medicine. She is focused on applying for graduate school in health sciences. After leaving the lab she has embarked on an adventure into rehabilitation and the various roles that are necessary for hand therapy. Michelle is interested in promoting health equity through education and empowerment. 

Nicole is from Oahu, Hawaii and graduated with a degree in Health Education from UF in 2021. She is currently enrolled in the UF College of Nursing (Jacksonville campus) Accelerated BSN program which concludes in August 2022. Afterwards, she hopes to continue applying her passion for health promotion to working with patients. 

Riya is from Orlando, FL and graduated from the University of Florida in 2021. Since graduating, Riya has been focused on applying to Physician Assistant School. She is currently working at a clinic here in Gainesville and volunteering in her free time. In the future, Riya hopes to promote health & wellness and make a difference in the community. 

Kellie is a former research assistant in the lab. She received her Ph.D. in the Department of Health Education and Behavior. She earned her B.S. from Winthrop University in Exercise Science. Her research interests include weight management, physical activity promotion, digital health, and sociocultural influences on weight behaviors.

Justin is a former research assistant and was an Applied Physiology and Kinesiology major at the University of Florida. He was on the pre-medicine track and aspires a career in medicine as a physician. As of right now, he has an interest in Orthopedic Surgery, however, remains open to all the other specializations in medicine. In addition, he hopes to continue working in research as a physician throughout the course of his career.

Justin is from Miami, FL, and in his free time enjoys playing basketball and pickleball, and when possible, traveling around the world learning about different cultures and their history.

Jalen graduated from the University of Florida in Fall of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Education. After graduation, he plans to do an accelerated master's program in Health Education. For a post master's degree, he intends to attend medical school, where he hopes to become a surgeon.