Dissertation defense for JP Marrero-Rivera

Title: “Maternal and Early Childhood Physical Activity: An Investigation of Their Associations on Development during Toddlerhood”

Date/Time: Thursday June 12, 2025 at 10 a.m. ET

Location: Classroom 230, Oak Hill (32 Oak Hill Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15261) or via Zoom

Dissertation Abstract:  

Neurodevelopment is characterized by a continuous enhancement of the brain and its functions, with various exposures linked to changes in neurodevelopment and subsequent cognitive performance. Maternal physical activity during pregnancy and early childhood physical activity are two such exposures that have been observed to influence the developing brain, but few studies have investigated these associations in children during toddlerhood (12 to 36 months of age). 

To examine (i) the longitudinal relationship between mothers’ device-based prenatal physical activity and cognitive attributes in their toddler children; and (ii) the cross-sectional relationship between children’s device-based physical activity and their cognitive attributes during toddlerhood.

Committee Members: Sharon E. Taverno Ross (Chair), Kara M. Whitaker, Bethany B. Gibbs, Stefano J. Bagnato, and Benjamin D.H. Gordon