The Division of Epidemiology and Community Health Postdoc Committee aims to support postdocs by providing career development opportunities, providing networking events, and by serving as a line of communication between postdocs and EpiCH leadership. The committee is composed of postdocs and research associates within the Division.

Postdoc Committee Co-Chairs

Dr. Patrick Brady is a mixed methods researcher and evaluator motivated by the right to food and social obligations for providing access to healthy, nutritious foods for all peoples and communities. He studies food and nutrition security, food systems, and use of social safety nets with a focus on economically (low socioeconomic status) and socially (older adults and rural communities) marginalized populations. The ultimate goal of his research agenda is to understand how individuals and organizations comprehend and navigate traditional, alternate, and emergency food systems, government food assistance programs, and social welfare programs that influence access to food, dietary intake, and health behaviors that ultimately impact the presence and severity of chronic diseases. Email: bradyp@umn.edu

Dr. Eydie Kramer-Kostecka, PhD, earned a Master’s Degree in Exercise and Sport Psychology from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2015. Eydie earned her doctorate in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota in 2019, with concentrations in Behavioral Physical Activity and Public Health. Additionally, Eydie served as a behavioral health coach and fitness instructor for at-risk youth at various programs across the United States (Florida, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota) between 2014-2019. Currently, Eydie is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Minnesota. Her research examines physical activity environments in rural areas, psychological underpinnings of exercise, and community-engaged health programs to enhance girls’ physical and mental/emotional health. Eydie leverages her training as a fitness instructor, aquatic exercise specialist, and behavioral health coach to inform her research and is eager to utilize these applied- and research-oriented skills as a fellow. Email: krame640@umn.edu