Anna Simonson

Associate Professor

Office
Dolan Center for Science and Technology, East 218
A woman with long light brown hair smiles at the camera wearing a red top and a layered dark blue beaded necklace.

Background

Dr. Anna Peluso Simonson is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science and the Program Director for the MS in Exercise Physiology. Dr. Simonson is certified as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine and as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She is also credentialed as an Exercise is Medicine professional from the American College of Sports Medicine and as a Mental Health Facilitator through the National Board of Certified Counselors. Her main research focus and interest is in behavior change as it relates to nutrition and physical activity. In her free time, Dr. Simonson enjoys almost all forms of exercise, cooking, hanging out with her family and playing with her dog Nellie.

Areas of Expertise

  • Exercise Physiology
  • Physical Activity and Fitness
  • Weight Management
  • Wellness Interventions
  • First Responders and Tactical Athletes
  • Dietary Intake and Nutrition

Research Interests

Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, Fitness, and Wellness in First Responders and Tactical Athletes\Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, Fitness, and Wellness in College Students\Physical Activity Interventions in Patients Living With Parkinsons Disease

Education

Doctor of Philosophy: Exercise Physiology, University of Pittsburgh, 2016\Master of Science: Health and Fitness, University of Pittsburgh, 2013\Bachelor of Science: Rehabilitation Science, University of Pittsburgh, 2005

Courses Taught

Human Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Exercise Testing and Prescription II: Special Populations, Motor Learning

Publications

Simonson AP, Zera JN, Farnell GS. Dietary Intake and Predictors of Healthy Eating in College Students. Journal of American College Health. Submitted Manuscript.\\Zera JN, Esper E, Simonson AP, Clausen AN, Caplan O, Castano A, Monnin G, Paterno S, Snyder A, Suhar A, Winans V. The Effect of Sleep Environment and Sleep Quality and Behavior in Firefighters. Manuscript in Review.\\Simonson AP, Turner B, Banerjee P, Farnell GS. Dietary Intake and Predictors of Healthy Eating in Division III College Athletes. Manuscript in Preparation.\\Zera JN, Simonson AP, Banerjee P, Baker BM. Associations between Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in American Career Firefighters. Manuscript in Preparation.\\Simonson AP, Zera JN, Banerjee P, Baker BM. Associations between Dietary Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in American Career Firefighters: An Observational Study. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2024 Jul 27;9(3):132.\\Zera JN, Nagle EF, Connell E, Curtin E, Marget W, Simonson AP, Nagai T, Abt J, Lephart S. Gender Differences and the Influence of Body Composition on Land and Pool-Based Assessments of Anaerobic Power and Capacity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022 Jun 28;19(13):7902.\\Simonson AP, Davis KK, Barone Gibbs B, Venditti EM, Jakicic JM. Comparison of mindful and slow eating strategies on acute energy intake. Obesity science & practice. 2020 Dec; 6(6): 668-76.\ \Barone Gibbs B, Brach JS, Byard TD, Creasy SA, Davis KK, McCoy SM, Peluso A, Rogers RJ, Rupp KL, Jakicic JM. Reducing sedentary behavior vs. increasing moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity in older adults: a 12-week randomized, clinical trial. Journal of aging and health. 2017 Mar;29(2): 247-67.\\Peluso A, Barone Gibbs B, Rogers RJ, Jakicic JM. Fruit and vegetable intake and diet quality in a weight loss intervention. Health behavior and policy review. 2016 Nov 1;3(6): 535-45.

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