Dr. Weiyun Chen is associate professor of Applied Exercise Science and director of Physical Activity and Health Laboratory at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology.

Dr. Chen’s research focuses on developing and examining technology-enhanced physical activity interventions to promote health, cognition, and psychological well-being in school-aged children, young adults, and older adults. Dr. Chen has received more than $1.25 million grant funding (i.e., US Department of Education). As PI on 21 funded research projects and Co-I on three funded projects, she and her graduate and undergraduate students examine (a) effects of school-based physical activity interventions, including innovative physical education curriculums and quality teaching practices, active recess programs, and family/community engagement, on improving students’ motor skill competency, physical fitness, physical activity behaviors, and determinants of PA behaviors; (b) effects of different types of physical activities on improving mental health and psychological well-being among college students; and (c) effects of technology-enhanced two-level physical activity interventions on promoting functional fitness, executive functions, and psychological well-being in older adults living in retirement communities.

Dr. Chen has delivered over 90 presentations at international and national conferences, gave more than 40 invited presentations nationally and internationally, and conducted 30 teacher training workshops. She has authored one book, two book chapters, and published more than 60 peer-reviewed research articles, including Research Quarterly for Exercise and Science, Journal of Affective Disorders, Journal of American College Health, and BMC Public Health.

Dr. Chen served a three-year term as chair of AERA SIG and AAHPERD NASPE C & I Academy, and also chaired the AERA SIG Scholar Lecture Committee, AAHPERD Research Writing Award Committee, and AAHPERD Pedagogy Panel Review Committee. Dr. Chen served as associate editor for the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, and is currently associate editor for Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (since 2013) and academic editor for Medicine (since 2018).

Dr. Chen is a Fellow in SHAPE America, as well as a member of the U-M Momentum Center for Driving Discovery to End Child Obesity and the U-M Center for Human Growth and Development.