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Personal Summary

Dr. Brown’s research, teaching and service focus on nutrition and chronic disease prevention, maternal-child health, childhood obesity and diabetes prevention, community-based participatory research methods, Native American and Indigenous health and diversity-related activities. Her areas of expertise are successful research collaborations with rural and Native American and Indigenous communities that have resulted in longitudinal studies reporting risk factors for diabetes in native and non-native children, assessments of environmental and behavioral factors associated with risk for childhood obesity and diabetes in rural communities, implementation of community-based strategies to improve rural food environments and conducting randomized, controlled trials for preventing obesity and diabetes in youth. 

Education

B.S. Foods and Nutrition, Montana State University, 1996

PhD Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, 2000

RD, University of Minnesota, 2000

Courses Taught

HHP 544: Community Based Participatory Research Methods for Health, fall semester 2021 and 2023.

PUBH 380: Public Health Nutrition, fall semester 2024

Teaching Experience

University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN Graduate Teaching Assistant Basic Nutr 161 1996-2000 Lecturer for weekly recitation sections; grader for course dietary assessment projects, developed syllabus and taught weekly recitations

�ϻ�������, Dept. Health and Human Performance Instructor – Basic Human Nutrition - Nutr 221 2002 – 2019 Developed syllabus and overall course structure, taught all classes, administered all grades, directed 4 TAs/year

�ϻ�������, Dept. Health and Human Performance Instructor – Advanced Nutrition and Chronic Disease – HHP 545 2005-2009 Developed new graduate level course, syllabus and overall course structure, taught all classes, administered all grades

�ϻ�������, Dept. Health and Human Performance; School of Public and Community Health Sciences Instructor – Community Based Participatory Research for Health – HHP 544 2009-present Developed new, required graduate level course, syllabus and overall course structure, taught all classes, administered all grades

�ϻ�������, School of Public and Community Health Sciences Instructor – Public Health Nutrition – PUBH 380 2021-present Developed new undergraduate required core course, syllabus and overall course structure, taught all classes, administered all grades, directed 1 TA

Research Interests

Childhood obesity prevention

Food security and access

Food sovereignty

Participatory evaluation

Food environments, food systems

Health disparities

Pacific Island food and health systems

Community-based participatory based research

Mixed-methods research

Native American and Indigenous undergraduate and graduate education

Maternal-child health

Nutrition and physical activity child and family obesity prevention programs

Projects

Current Research Projects

77307 – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation   McClure and Gilchrist (Co-PD)     03/15/2020-03/14/2024

Examining Barriers in Montana to Equitable Nutrition Support Programs for Urban American Indian Families with Young Children

This project seeks to understand the barriers and enhancers that urban American Indian families experience in accessing and using federal and local nutrition support programs. This study will help guide decision making about policy changes that can advance health equity for urban American Indian families.

Role on Project: Lead Evaluator

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture -  Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program          Finch (PD)           09/15/2020 – 09/14/2024

The  program aims to meet identified nutrition, food security and access needs of low-income community members by expanding equity and food access through the statewide Double SNAP Dollars (DSD) program.

Role on Project: Lead Evaluator

20-MAU-090 - Marsden Project Grant (New Zealand)            Firestone (PI)           03/1/2021 - 02/28/2024

Navigating Pacific Indigenous knowledge and practices in relation to contemporary dietary patterns: investigating 'ai ia e ola' - eat to live well

This research aims to examine historical and current perspectives on Pacific indigenous and traditional knowledge pertaining to foodways, dietary habits and patterning, and how this knowledge can inform new approaches in addressing diet-related diseases among Pacific peoples.

Role on project: Co-Investigator

New Zealand Health Research Council                                Firestone (PI)           10/1/2020 - 09/30/2024

Tihei Rangatahi Programme – Improving hauora/oranga services for rangatahi Māori

This research focuses on rangatahi Māori, as they are a particularly vulnerable group with regard to developing non-communicable diseases (e.g., mental illnesses, obesity). This project seeks to develop a hauora-oranga lifestyle programme for rangatahi Māori, co-design a mental wellness programme tailored for rangatahi Māori, adapt an existing mobile health app to support healthy lifestyles for rangatahi, and evaluate the project.

Role on project: Co-Investigator     

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration    Rides-At-The-Door (PI)       09/30/2021 - 09/29/2026

National Native Children's Trauma Center (NNCTC) FY22

This 5-year project will pursue two goals: 1) Provide culturally centered, evidence-based, trauma-informed training and technical assistance (TTA( along the full spectrum of needs/readiness in Tribal communities and across all types of Tribal child-serving systems; and 2) Enhance NNCTC infrastructure to increase scale of training/education disseminiation, to fill gaps in product offereings, to broaden access to resources, and to promote date-driven program improvements. Across virtual and in-person TTA activities we expect to train and/or provide technical assistance to approximately 1800 American Indian/Alaska Native-child serving professionals and Tribal community members annually and 9,000 over the 5-year funding period.

Role on project: Lead Evaluator

USDA-GusNIP      Buckingham (PD)     07/01/2021 - 06/30-2024

COVID Relief GusNIP: Healthy, Local Food for All Montanans: Advancing Equity and Food Access through the Double SNAP Dollars Network

This 3-year project aims to meet identified health needs of low-income community members and financial needs of small, local producers by expanding point-of-purchase incentives across Montana. The project seeks to expand the USDA Double SNAP Dollar (DSD) incentives program state-wide and improve efficiency of the program in order to build a sustainable platform for nutrition incentive programming at farmers markets and other small retail locations in Montana.

Role on project: Lead Evaluator

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation/Purdue University     Thomas (PI - MUS)     07/01/202 - 06/30/2024

Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership

The Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership (SIGP) is a scholarship program funded by the A.P. Sloan Foundation since 2003 to support Indigenous (Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and original peoples of Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands with U.S. Citizenship) graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) with the intent of increase the number of Indigenous Americans earning masters' and doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines.

Role on project: �ϻ������� Co-Principal Investigator

Completed Research Support

National Science Foundation: 1723248            09/01/2017-08/31/2022

Collaborative Research: AGEP Transformation Alliance: Willow Partnership for Success

The Willow Partnership for Success is a Transformation Alliance project brings together three Alliance institutions - �ϻ�������, Salish Kootenai College, and Sitting Bull College to develop and implement a model that enhances the success of Native American faculty in STEM fields.

Role on Project: Co-Investigator

AIAN CTRP Development Grant  - NIGMS                                         08/01/2020 – 12/31-2021

Urban Indian Community Assessment Project

This project will conduct a mixed methods community assessment of general health, participation in ceremony and other traditional practices, postive childhood experiences and rates of alcohol or other substance use in American Indian/Alaska Natives living in urban areas in Montana.

Role on Project: Principal Investigator

2018-70025-28176 – USDA        Gilchrist (PD)         7/15/2018 - 7/14/2020

This project identified health and nutrition needs of low-income community members and financial needs of small producers in Montana, and implemented Double SNAP Dollars (DSD) programs at farmers markets throughout Montana

Role on Project: Evaluator

USDA-NIFA 11898018                                                                     03/01/16 – 03/15/19

Growing Strong Generations

This collaborative USDA Strengthening project planted the seeds for developing and implementing a 2+2 Health Promotion Practices and Public Health undergraduate degree program, and a gardening program for Native and non-Native children and thier families. This project is an education and research collaboration between the �ϻ������� and Salish-Kootenai College.

Role on Project: Co-Principal Investigator

National Institute of Child Health and Development

1R13HD080904-01                                       

Partnerships to Prevent Childhood Obesity on the Flathead Indian Reservation

This 3-year study is developing partnerships between the �ϻ������� and community organizations and residents on the Flathead Indian Reservation to implement interventions that decrease risk of obesity in children living on the Flathead Reservation.

Role on Project: Principal Investigator

National Science Foundation: 1432694         10/1/2014 – 3/31/2020                                                                                          

Collaborative Research: AGEP-T: Pacific Northwest Collaborative Opportunities for Success in Mentoring of Students (PNW-COSMOS).

The PNW-COSMOS project will develop, implement, and study a model of STEM graduate education focusing on American Indians and Native Alaskans.

Role on Project: Co-Principal Investigator

National Institute of General Medical Sciences/Montana INBRE

P20GM103474

Generations Health Project: An after-school and home-based childhood obesity prevention program

This project is conducting a pilot study of a nutrition and physical activity after-school and home-based childhood obesity prevention for Native and non-Native children ages 6 to 9 and their caregiver/guardian (n=24 family groupings) and preparing an NIH R01 proposal for a full scale trial of the obesity prevention intervention.

Role on Project: Principal Investigator

National Institute of General Medical Sciences/Montana INBRE

National Institute of General Medical Sciences/Mountain West CTR-IN

1U54 GM104944-01                                                 

Fully developing and piloting a high-intensity nutrition and exercise after-school program

This study developed family-based intervention materials and test the feasibility of a high-intensity nutrition and exercise intervention for children attending an after-school program.

Role on Project: Principal Investigator

P20GM103474                                                                                               5/01/2014 – 04/30/2016

NIGMS – Montana INBRE                                                                                      

Indoor exposure and dietary determinants of DNA methylation in asthmatic children

This study aims to determine the association between indoor PM and endotoxin exposure due to biomass combustion and DNA methylation among asthmatic and non-asthmatic children and the effect of dietary factors on epigenetic profiles and respiratory health.

Role on Project: Co-Principal Investigator

1 R34 DK096403-01A1                                                                                

National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases                     6/01/14 – 5/30/16

Tribal Turning Point: Pilot Study of Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in American Indian Youth

This study  developed and pilot tested an adapted version of the adult-based Diabetes Prevention Program to be developmentally relevant for American Indian youth, and incorporated a motivational learning approach with the curricula.

Role on Project: Consultant (Mayer-Davis E, PI at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill)

National Institute of General Medical Sciences/Mountain West CTR-IN

1U54 GM104944-01                                                 

CTR-IN Visiting Scholars Exchange

This 4 month visiting scholars exchange allowed Blakely Brown to participate in research activities with her primary mentor, Dr. Marjorie Mau and the Center for Native and Pacific Health Disparities Research at the University of Hawaii, to learn more about their community-based, diabetes and obesity prevention research being implemented in native communities on Oahu.

Role on Project: Principal Investigator

Montana Department of Transportation                                                                              

Improving Participation in the Safe Routes to Schools Programs on a Northern Plains Indian Reservation

This study assisted K-8 elementary and middle schools on a Northern Plains Indian Reservation to assess ways to increase children walking and biking to school. 

Role on Project: Principal Investigator

National Institute of Health; Montana State University Center for Native Health Partnerships

SP20MD002317-03                                                                                                              

Impact of a gardening program on mental health indicators and diabetes-related outcomes in American Indian adults

This study determined the effect of a community garden program for American Indian adults with pre-diabetes and diabetes on clinical measures associated with glycemic control and mental health indicators. A secondary aim of the study assessed the acceptability of foods produced in the garden program in food environments on a Montana Indian reservation.

Role on Project: Principal Investigator

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Active Living Research                                                  

Improving Participation and Evaluation of Safe Routes to Schools Programs for American Indian Communities

This study utilized qualitative research methods to determine barriers and enhancers to Montana tribal communities applying for SRTS funding, and developed policy change recommendations and disseminate findings.

Role on Project: Co-Principal Investigator

National Institute of Health/�ϻ�������-COBRE

P20 RR017670-09     

Gestational exposures, epigenetics and respiratory health

The focus of this pilot study was to identify genome methylation patterns that are associated with in utero biomass smoke exposure and maternal diet (Aim 1) and to determine how these exposures are associated with early life respiratory outcomes in children (Aim 2).

Role on Project: Co-Investigator

Indian Health Service/MT-WY Tribal Epicenter                               

Child Health Measures in Northern Plains Children and Adolescents

This project collaborated with nine Montana-Wyoming Northern Plains Indian reservations and the Montana-Wyoming Epidemiology Center to establish a longitudinal, cohort database for pediatric health measures in Northern Plains Indian children and adolescents.

Role: Project Director

National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disease         

R34DK7446-01A2

Journey to Native Youth Health: A Diabetes Prevention Program in American Indian Youth.

This three year study developed and tested community-based, culturally specific diet and exercise strategies for Northern Plains Indian youth, ages 10 -14 on two Montana reservations.

Role: Principal Investigator

Selected Publications

Brown BD, Thomas W, Hutchins A, Martini MC, Slavin JL. Types of dietary fat and soy minimally affect hormones and biomarkers associated with breast cancer risk in premenopausal women.  Nutrition and Cancer. 2002:43(1):22-30

Campbell C, Brown B, Dufner D and Thorland W. Effects of soy or milk protein during a high fat feeding challenge on oxidative stress, inflammation and lipids in healthy men.  Lipids. 2006;41, L9840:257-265.

Brown BD and Noonan C.   Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition. 2007;1:37-44.

Brown B, Gohdes D, Amundson H, Oser C, Helgerson SD, Harwell TS. Population surveillance to monitor rates of gestational diabetes mellitus in subsequent populations. Diabetes. 2008: 57(June) 2441.

Brown B, Burns T. Measuring food purchases, community needs and tribal policy for healthy foods in local grocery stores on and near a Northern Plains Indian reservation. ; 2007 Native Peoples Technical Assistance Office, Tucson, AZ.

Brown B, Noonan C, Friede P, Giroux J. Acanthosis nigricans and obesity in Northern Plains Indian children and adolescents.  Diabetes. 2008;57(June), SA744.

 Brown B, Harris K, Ricci C, Parker M, Harris JL, TopSky W, Wilson T, Friede P, Noonan C. Lessons Learned in Adapting the Diabetes Prevention Program for 10-14 Year Old Northern Plains Indian Youth. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 2009;37:S51.

Noonan C, Brown B, Bentley B, Conway K, Corcoran M, FourStar K, Friede P, Hemlock B, Wagner S, Wilson T. Journal of Asthma. 2010;47:496–500.

Brown B, Harris KJ, Harris JL, Parker M, Ricci C, Noonan C. . The Diabetes Educator. 2010;36:924-35.

Brown B, Noonan C, Bentley B, Conway K, Corcoran M, FourStar K, Gress S and Wagner S. Journal of School Nursing. 2010;26 450-60.

Brown B, Noonan C, Harris KJ, Parker M, Wilson T, Gress S, Harris JL, Gaskill S, Ricci C, Top Sky W, Cobbs G. Diabetes Prevention Program for Native American Youth: The JOURNEY to Native Youth Health Feasibility Study. Diabetes. 2011;60:S1:A82.

Ricci C, Brown B, Noonan, C, Harris KJ, Dybdal L, Parker M, Gress S. Family and Community Health. 2012;35.1:68-75.

Brown B, Noonan C, Harris KJ, Parker M, Gaskill S, Ricci C, Cobbs G, Gress S. The Diabetes Educator. 2013;39(1): 109-118. 

Hutchins A, Brown B, Cunnane S, Domitrovich S, Adams E, Bobowiec C. Nutrition Research. 2013;33(5):367-75

Lommen A, Brown B, Sondag A, Hollist D. Journal of Human Lactation. 2015:1-6.

Brown B. Understanding and confronting obesity and diabetes in Montana Native communities. The Montana Professor. July 2015;25(2).

Pedersen M, Christopher S, Brown B. Health Promotion Practice. Jan 2016. pii: 1524839915622195. [Epub ahead of print]

Grant V, Hollist D, Noonan C, Swaney G, Harris KJ, Gaskill S, Brown B. Preventive Medicine Reports. 2015;658-663.

Grant V, Swaney G, Harris KJ, Burdeau Z, Brown B. Health Behavior and Policy Review. 2016, 3(5), 429-438.

Perline A, Heuscher A, Sondag A, Brown B. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems and Community Development 2015, 6(1), 147-159.

Montrose L, Ward T, Semmens E, Cho YH, Brown BD, Noonan C. . Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, 2017 13(12), DOI: 10.1186/s13223-017-0187-8.

Windchief S, Brown B. Mentoring and Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 2017.

Windchief S, Arouca R, Brown B. Mentoring and Tutoring: Partnership in Learning, 2019.

Pedersen M, Brown B, Harris K, France S, Tryon M, Cooksley, A. Global Pediatric Health, 2019.

Brown B, Harris K, Heil D, Tryon M, Cooksley A, Semmens E, Davis J, Gandhi K. . Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 2018, 4 (129), 1-12. DOI:

Brown B, Harris K, Dybdal L, Malich J, Bodnar B, Hall E. . Health Education Journal, Feb 2019, 1-13. DOI: h

Brown B, Dybdal L, Noonan C, Pedersen M, Parker M, Corcoran M. Health Promotion Practice, 2019.

Harris KJ, Brown B, Shankle L, Tryon M, Pedersen M, Panarella S, Swaney G. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2019;

Brown B, Komlos B. . New Directions for Higher Education, 2019;187, 67-77.

Brown B, Windchief S, Komlos B, Arouca R. Journal of Faculty Development, 2020, 34 (3), 27-36.

Grant V, Brown B, Harris KJ. 2021, 15(1):75-83. Progress in Community Health Partnerships.

Firestone, R, Faeamani G, Okiakama E, Funaki T, Henry A, Prapaveissis D, Masaga J, Firestone J, Tiatia-Seath J, Matheson A, Brown B, Kaholokula K, Ing C, Borman B, Ellison-Loschmann L. New Zealand Medical Journal, 2021; 134(1530):57-68.

Firestone R, Faeamani G, Okiakama E, Funaki T, Henry A, Prapaveissis D, Filikitonga J, Firestone J, Tiatia-Seath J, Matheson A, Brown B, Schleser M, Kaholokula K, Ing C, Borman B, Ellison-Loschmann L. Pasifika Prediabetes . 2021. Kotuitui: New Zealand Journal of Social Sciences Online, 2021; 16(1):210-224.

Prapaveissis D, Henry A, Okiama E, Funaki T, Faeamani G, Masaga J, Brown B, Kaholokula K, Ing C, Matheson A, Tiatia-Seath J, Schlesser M, Borman B, Ellison-Loschmann L, Tupai-Firestone R. . Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2023; Online; doi: 10.1111/1753-6405.13187

Pedersen M, Harris K, Brown B, Anderson K, Lewis J. . 2021. The Gerontologist. [published online ahead of print February 2021].

Pedersen M, Harris KJ, Lewis J, Grant M, Kleinmeyer C, Glass A, Graham N, Brown B, King D. Uplifting the voices of rural American Indian older adults to improve understanding of physical activity behavior. 2021. Translational Behavioral Medicine. 04 August 2021.

Pedersen M, Harris K, Brown B, Grant M, Kleinmeyer C, Glass A, Graham N, King D. 2022. Prevention Science. 1-11

Brown, B., Pedersen, M., Harrington, J., Belcourt, A., Windchief, S., Thomas, A., Plenty Sweetgrass-She Kills, R., Conroy-Ben, O., Brodt, E., Chief, K., Hoagland, S., Johnson-Jennings, M., Lewis, J., Green Mink, K., Milligan-Myhre, K. C. A., Calhoun, M., Ozburn, A., Simonds, V., Des Rosier Grant, A., Hill, S., and Wu, K. (2022, January 13). Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. Advance online publication.

Affiliations

Co-Director - 2+2 Health Promotion Practices and Public Health undergraduate degree program - a partnership with Salish Kootenai College and the �ϻ�������

Specialized Skills

community-based, participatory evaluation approaches

co-design, mixed methods participatory health research

Professional Experience

ADMISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE - �ϻ�������

Dept. Health and Human Performance: Graduate Program Director 2003-2008; Graduate Program Committee Member 2008-2012

The Graduate School: Interim Director, Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs 2012-2014

Academic Strategic Planning Committee, Member  2008 - 2009

Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Consortium Development Team 2010-2012 

Diversity Advisory Council: Co-Chair 2012-2014; Member 2005 -2012

Institutional Review Board, member 2017 – present

2+2 Public Health B.S. Degree Program – �ϻ������� and Salish Kootenai College, Co-Director 2011 - present

Missoula All Nations Health Center; Board of Directors, Secretary 2018 - present

School of Public and Community Health Sciences Graduate Admissions Committee, Chair 2020 - present

Community Food and Agriculture – Montana Steering Committee, Equity Sub-Committee, Member 2018 - present

Mountain West CTR-IN Professional Development - Curriculum Advisory Board, Member 2019 - present

International Experience

International Faculty Exchange, New Zealand, 2016 and Sabbatical, New Zealand 208/19: These faculty experiences helped develop and scale up partnerships with researchers in New Zealand who implement community-based, co-design health interventions for Maori and Pacifica youth and families.

Honors / Awards

2018/19: Sabbatical, Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences

2017: CTRN Pilot Grant Awardee, University of Las Vegas, NV

2015/16: Merit Award, Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences

2015/16: International Faculty Exchange (�ϻ������� Provost Office) - University of Auckland, Massey University - College of Health, New Zealand                                    

2015: �ϻ������� Nancy Borgmann Diversity Award                                                       

2013: �ϻ������� Faculty Appreciation Award, Division of Student Affairs                   

2011/12: Merit Award, School of Education and Human Sciences                            

2010/11: Sabbatical, School of Education and Human Sciences                                

2007/08: Merit Award, School of Education and Human Sciences                             

2006: �ϻ������� Faculty Appreciation Award, Division of Student Affairs                    

1995: Excellence Award, Montana State University                                         

Hobbies

gardening, backcountry camping and tramping, reading, ceramics, bee-keeping, cooking, spending time with family and friends, meditation, running, walking, back country skiing