Associate Professor Jaclyn Maher has won the 2025 UNCG Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award in the tenured faculty category. The kinesiologist, who examines the factors motivating physical activity engagement in populations across the lifespan, has mentored 54 undergraduates in independent studies since she arrived at UNCG in 2017.
“My approach to undergraduate research and teaching heavily emphasizes experiential learning while prioritizing inclusion. It is important to me that all undergraduate students become comfortable engaging with scientific research because, as future health professionals, they will need to be able to review and evaluate the literature to inform their own evidence-based practice.” – Dr. Jaclyn Maher
In Maher’s lab, undergraduate mentees gain in-depth, hands-on experience with all aspects of physical activity research, including participant recruitment, participant trainings on study procedures and equipment, monitoring participant compliance, data analysis, and publication.
Five undergraduate students have co-authored peer-reviewed manuscripts with Maher. Two have won UNCG Undergraduate Research and Creativity Awards, one was a UNCG McNair Scholar, two won UNCG School of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) Marjory Johnson Pre-PT Research Fund Awards, two have won HHS Sayde Dunn Doxie Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Awards, and four students have been funded as Center for Women’s Health and Wellness Williams Scholars. She has also mentored three N.C. A&T State Universities students through the American Heart Association’s HBCU Scholar’s Program.
All of these students completed their own independent research projects, presenting posters at local, regional, or national conferences under Maher’s supervision.
Maher – who has over 65 publications of her own and funding from institutions such as the American College of Sports Medicine and National Institutes of Health – received UNCG’s Early Career Research Excellence Award in 2024. In 2022, she also won the Thomas Award in the pre-tenure category.
“What truly sets Dr. Maher apart is her genuine investment in her students’ success. Beyond academic, she celebrated my achievements, attending events marking milestones, and provided thoughtful encouragement and support during challenging times.”
– Iman Khan ‘24
“Dr. Maher was a source of major support, advice, and guidance during my undergraduate years. Working with Dr. Maher and others allowed me to form professional relationships with them that have become invaluable sources of advice and knowledge. Dr. Maher’s mentorship challenged me while simultaneously teaching me.”
– Honors scholar Meghan Harduk ‘19
Story by Nikkola Brown
Photo by David Lee Row
