Chelsea Howland is an assistant professor whose program of research centers on promoting healthy aging and chronic disease self-management in rural populations. Her program of research integrates mind-body behavioral science, digital health technologies, and community-based participatory methods to improve physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior among rural older adults with type 2 diabetes. Further, Dr. Howland’s work proposes a model that distinguishes complex diabetes phenotypes with variations in epigenetic aging using machine learning methods. This model also delineates the intersection of social determinants of health, epigenetics, and clinical diabetes characteristics to support identification of at-risk individuals and precision interventions. 

Dr. Howland’s research has been supported by intramural and extramural grants, including awards from Sigma Theta Tau and the Csomay Center for Gerontological Excellence research initiatives. She leads studies focused on the usability and adaptation of mind-body mobile health interventions for rural older adults with type 2 diabetes and in developing a framework for complex diabetes phenotypes. Her scholarship has earned recognition from the Midwest Nursing Research Society, Self-Care RIIG Dissertation Award. In addition, Dr. Howland was honored as a Distinguished Educator in Gerontological Nursing and has received multiple teaching awards for excellence in undergraduate nursing education. Her commitment to advancing nursing science is matched by her dedication to mentoring students and focusing on student-centered learning environments.

Curriculum Vitae