Meet UNMC Distinguished Scientist Carol Pullen, Ed.D.

UNMC researcher Carol Pullen, Ed.D., answers questions about her work, life and interests.

Carol Pullen, Ed.D.

• Name: Carol Pullen, Ed.D.
  
• Title: professor in the College of Nursing
  
• Hometown: Bristol, Tenn.
  
• Joined UNMC: Summer 1993

Describe your research in laymen’s terms.

Our interdisciplinary team’s research has focused on health promotion of vulnerable at risk rural women. We have focused on changing eating and activity in midlife and older rural women, changing eating and activity to lower blood pressure in pre-hypertensive midlife and older rural women and currently in improving eating and activity to promote weight loss and weight maintenance in this population. We also work on reducing risk for cardiovascular disease.

How does your research contribute to science and/or health care?

Our work aims to improve women’s health by changing lifestyle behaviors, which ultimately will reduce morbidity and mortality as women age.

Name someone at UNMC who provides vital contributions to your success and briefly describe how they help you.

Dr. Patricia Hageman, professor in physical therapy education, and I have been on a research team together since 1995. Her expertise in physical activity has had major contributions to our team’s work and impacted our success in obtaining grant funding over the years.

List three things few people know about you.

• My grant work began with training grants to enhance interdisciplinary community-based education in rural areas using technology;
  
• The light of my life are my two granddaughters (ages one and five) and another granddaughter due in July; and
  
• One way I relax and a hobby I enjoy is flower gardening — it is a huge stress reliever.