Colleen Sands
Assistant Professor of Biology
EDUCATION
- PhD in Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- MS in Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
- BS in Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst (Commonwealth Honors College)
- Certificate in Higher Education Leadership & Management, University of Massachusetts
Amherst
ACADEMIC PROGRAM(S)
- Biology
- Health Sciences
COURSES TAUGHT
- BI260: Anatomy & Physiology I
- BI262: Anatomy & Physiology II
- BI327: Principles of Immunology
- BI329: Topics in Biology: Health and Disease
- BI101: Biology I (Laboratory)
- BI102: Biology II (Laboratory)
- GLE101: First-Year Inquiry Freshman Seminar
RESEARCH INTERESTS AND AREAS
Physical Activity and Health
Behavioral Medicine
Health Behavior, Exercise Science
My research examines the social, environmental, and behavioral factors that influence
physical activity and other health behaviors across the lifespan. My work aims to
improve the assessment and promotion of physical activity and to inform interventions
that enhance health outcomes and quality of life. My overall goal is to increase physical
activity engagement, adherence and enjoyment to help more individuals receive the
associated multimodal health benefits.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Professional Memberships
- Society of Behavioral Medicine
- American College of Sports Medicine
Conferences
Symposiums
1. Potter, K., Chase C.J., Sylvia, A. 鈥淭he Physical Activity and Health Benefits of
Human-Animal Interaction for Youth.鈥� New England Chapter of the American College of
Sports Medicine Regional Meeting. Springfield, MA. October 17 - 18, 2024. Symposium.
2. Potter, K., Chase C.J., Sylvia, A. 鈥淗ounds, Hooves, and Human Health: Studying
the Physical Activity and Health Benefits of Human-animal Interaction.鈥� New England
Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Regional Meeting. Providence, RI.
October 13 - 14, 2022. Symposium.
Tutorial Lectures
1. Potter K., Chase C.J. 鈥淢utt Motivation: The Role of Dogs in Supporting Physical
Activity across the Lifespan.鈥� American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting.
San Diego, CA. May 31 鈥� June 4, 2022. Tutorial Lecture.
Conference Posters (Full list can be viewed in Curriculum Vitae)
1. Sands, C.J., Burkart, S., Mueller, M., Potter, K. 鈥淨uantifying Dog-Facilitated
Physical Activity and Potential Associated Factors in Youth.鈥� Medicine & Science in
Sports & Exercise, 2026. American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Salt
Lake City, UT, USA, May 26-May 29, 2026. e-Poster Presentation.
2. Sands, C.J., Burkart, S., Mueller, M., Potter, K. 鈥淚nforming Youth Physical Activity
Interventions through Quantifying Dog-Facilitated Physical Activity.鈥� Annals of Behavioral
Medicine, 2026. Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA, April
22-April 25, 2026. Poster Presentation
HONORS AND AWARDS
2026: Northeast-10 Conference Dr. Dave Landers Faculty Mentor Award Nominee.
2024: Linda Pescatello Doctoral Scholarship. American College of Sports Medicine.
2023: Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2022: Instructional Innovation Fellow. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2022: Distinguished Teaching Award Nominee. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2020: National Masters Scholar Award Recipient. American Kinesiology Association.
2019: Mark Connolly Memorial Masters Scholarship. American College of Sports Medicine.
2018: Dr. Priscilla Clarkson Undergraduate Award. American College of Sports Medicine.
2018: Senior Leadership Award. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2018: Rising Researcher Award. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2017鈥�2018: Captain. Cross Country & Track and Field. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2017: UMass Athletics Excellence in Leadership Award Nominee.
2015鈥�2018: Student Athlete Advisory Committee. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2015鈥�2018: Commissioner鈥檚 Honor Roll. Atlantic 10 Athletic Conference.
2015鈥�2018: Dean鈥檚 List. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
2014鈥�2018: Kenneth L. O鈥橞rien Scholarship. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Potter K., Sands C.J., Martini D., Falck R., Nagarajan R. Dog ownership and healthy brain aging: a pilot study. PeerJ. (In Press, 2026)
Nikoumanesh, N., Chase, C., Nagarajan, R., Potter, K., Martini, D. N. 2024. Frontal cortex neurometabolites and mobility in older adults. Experimental Brain Research. 242, 2013-2022.
Chase, C.J., Burkart, S., Salvadore, A., Potter, K. 2024. The KID Study (Kids Interacting with Dogs): Piloting a novel approach for measuring dog-facilitated youth physical activity. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour. .
McAvoy C.R., Miller T.A., Aguiar E.J., Ducharme S.W., Moore C.C., Schuna J.M. Jr., Barreira T.V., Chase C.J., Gould Z.R., Amalbert-Birriel M.A., Chipkin S.R., Staudenmayer J, Tudor-Locke C, Mora-Gonzalez J. 2023. Cadence (steps/min) and relative intensity in 61 to 85-year-olds: The CADENCE-Adults study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20(141).
Chase C.J., Aguiar E.J., Moore C.C., Chipkin S.R., Staudenmayer J, Tudor-Locke C, Ducharme S.W. 2023. Cadence (steps/min) as an indicator of the walk-to-run transition. Human Movement Science, 90, 103117. .
Aguiar E.J., Mora-Gonzalez J, Ducharme S.W., Moore C.C., Gould Z.R., Chase C.J., Amalbert-Birriel M.A., Chipkin S.R., Staudenmayer J, Tudor-Locke C. 2022. Cadence-based classification of moderate intensity overground walking in 41- to 85-year-old adults. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 00:1-11. DOI: 10.1111/sms.14274
Potter K, Rajala C, Chase C.J., LeBlanc R. 2022. Testing leash walking training as a physical activity intervention for older adult dog owners: a feasibility study. Geriatrics, 7(120); .
Chase C.J., Potter K. Leveraging the human-dog bond to support physical activity across the lifespan. 2022. American College of Sports Medicine Health and Fitness Journal, 26(4); 17-22.
Chase C.J., Mueller M.K., Garvey C, Potter K. 2022. Family dog ownership and youth physical activity levels: a scoping review. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 21(1);18-27.
Tudor-Locke C, Mora-Gonzalez J, Ducharme S.W., Aguiar E.J., Schuna J.M. Jr., Barreira T.V., Moore C.C., Chase C.J., Gould Z.R., Amalbert-Birriel M.A., Chipkin S.R., Staudenmayer J. 2021. Walking cadence (steps/min) and intensity in 61-85 year olds: The CADENCE-Adults study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18;129.
McAvoy C.R., Moore C.C., Aguiar E.J., Ducharme S.W., Schuna J.M. Jr., Barreira T.V., Chase C.J., Gould Z.R., Amalbert-Birriel M.A., Chipkin S.R., Staudenmayer J, Tudor-Locke C, Mora-Gonzalez J. 2021. Cadence (steps/min) and relative intensity in 21 to 60-year-olds: The CADENCE-Adults study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18(1);27.
Tudor-Locke C, Ducharme S.W., Aguiar E.J., Schuna J.M. Jr., Barreira T.V., Moore C.C., Chase C.J., Gould Z.R., Amalbert-Birriel M.A., Chipkin S.R., Staudenmayer J, Tudor-Locke C, Mora-Gonzalez J. 2020. Walking cadence (steps/min) and intensity in 41-60 year olds: The CADENCE-Adults study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17;137.
Perry D.C., Moore C.C., Sands C.J., Aguiar E.J., Gould Z.R., Tudor-Locke C, Ducharme S.W. 2019. Using music-based cadence entrainment to manipulate walking intensity. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 16;1039-1046.
Ducharme S.W., Sands C.J., Moore C.C., Aguiar E.J., Hamill J, Tudor-Locke C. 2018. Changes to gait speed and the walk ratio with rhythmic auditory cueing. Gait and Posture, 66;255-259.