Dr. Gregory Knell
Assistant Professor, Population & Community Health
Education & Experience:
I received a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Texas Health Science Center
at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health. I completed postdoctoral research training
through the Cancer Education and Career Development Program at the Michael & Susan
Dell Center for Healthy Living. I hold bachelor of science and master of science degrees
in kinesiology from Texas A&M University and the University of North Texas, respectively.
Prior to joining the University of North Texas Health at Fort Worth in 2023, I was
an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental
Sciences at UTHealth School of Public Health. I currently serve as an assistant professor
in the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of North Texas Health
at Fort Worth.
Teaching Areas & Public Health Interests:
My teaching focuses on epidemiologic methods, study design, data analysis, and the
application of epidemiology to chronic disease and public health. I aim to provide
students with practical skills that allow them to design, conduct, analyze, and communicate
epidemiologic research while integrating their own research interests into the classroom.
My teaching also draws on my background in kinesiology, physical activity epidemiology,
and behavioral epidemiology to illustrate how epidemiologic methods can be applied
to clinically and publicly relevant health problems. I teach courses in principles
and advanced methods of epidemiology, epidemiologic study design, data analysis, measurement
and instrument design, chronic disease epidemiology, and practical applications of
epidemiology.
Professional Activities & Awards:
I am an active member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), among other professional organizations. My professional
service includes editorial leadership, peer review, graduate student mentorship, faculty
governance, and service to organizations focused on public health, physical activity,
and youth health and safety. I currently serve as an Associate Editor for Archives of Public Health and Annals of Medicine, as a member of the Fitness Index Council of the American College of Sports Medicine,
and on the Health & Safety Advisory Council of the National Council on Youth Sports.
I also serve in faculty governance at the University of North Texas Health at Fort
Worth and have held leadership and advisory roles in community and professional organizations.
My scholarly work has received recognition including the Deans’ Excellence in Research
Award from UTHealth and an Emerging Researcher Travel Award from the National Institutes
of Health Office of Disease Prevention. My research has also received coverage from
national media outlets including U.S. News & World Report, CNN, Reuters, and The New
York Times.
Scholarly Interests:
My research focuses on the behavioral and functional determinants of chronic disease,
healthy aging, and brain health. A primary area of my current scholarship examines
physical functioning as a marker of biological aging and its relationship with Alzheimer's
disease and related cognitive outcomes. I am particularly interested in how physical
activity, physical functioning, and other health behaviors interact with biological
and behavioral pathways underlying cognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease risk. My
work integrates epidemiologic methods with objective measures of physical activity
and physical functioning, including accelerometry and wearable technologies, as well
as clinical and population-based measures. I am also interested in health disparities
and differences in aging and brain health across diverse populations. More broadly,
my research applies behavioral and physical activity epidemiology to the prevention
of chronic disease and the promotion of healthy aging across the lifespan.