Christiaan Abildso profile
Teaching Associate Professor
Professional Highlights
- Co-chair of the PAPREN (Physical Activity Policy Research and Evaluation Network) Rural Workgroup, 2018-2024
- American Public Health Association, Physical Activity Section Member
- Fellow, Physical Activity and Public Health Research Course, hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and University of South Carolina
Degrees
- Ph.D., Kinesiology, specialization in Sport and Exercise Psychology
- MPH, Social and Behavioral Sciences, West Virginia University
- Ed.M., Counseling, specialization in Sport Psychology, Boston University,
- B.A., Business Administration/Economics dual major, McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College)
Awards
- Outstanding WVU Honors EXCEL Mentor Award, 2024
- WVU 150th Anniversary Celebration Coin recipient, 2017
Areas of Expertise
- Social ecological determinants of physical activity
- Community-based physical activity interventions
- Rural physical activity
- Public health program evaluation
Research Interests
- Social ecological determinants of physical activity
- Community-based physical activity interventions
- Rural physical activity
- Public health program evaluation
Certifications
- Member, American Public Health Association Physical Activity Section, 2019-present
- Member, Executive Management Board, Center for Active WV, 2020-present
- Board Member, Mon River Trails Conservancy, 2017-present (Vice President, 2018-2021)
- Member, Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Committee, 2009-present (Chairperson, 2020-present)
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Christiaan Abildso has extensive experience teaching, researching, and mentoring students in the field of public health, focusing primarily on program evaluation and community assessment. Since arriving in Morgantown in 2004, Dr. Abildso’s work has been focused on identifying what works in creating active rural communities and turning that information into positive results for West Virginia communities by collaborating with health departments, public health advocates, non-profits, walking and cycling organizations, and WVU Extension offices.
Dr. Abildso earned his BA in business administration and economics (accounting minor) at Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), where he also played soccer and baseball. He earned his M.Ed. in counseling (sport psychology specialization) at Boston University, and then completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree and a PhD in Kinesiology (sport and exercise psychology specialization) at WVU.
Dr. A preaches what he practices. You'll often see him walking or cycling around Morgantown, taking advantage of the nature-, mountain bike-, and rail-trails. Riding a bike is the only way he can keep up with his marathon-running wife and two children who also compete in distance running.
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