Contact
- 979.436.9767
- megpatterson@tamu.edu
-
212 Adriance Lab Rd., 1266 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-1266
Biography
Megan S. Patterson, PhD, MPH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Behavior in the School of Public Health at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on how social connections, positions, and networks impact the health and well-being of individuals and communities. As such, most of her research uses social network analysis (SNA) as a methodology and theoretical framework to determine the importance of social networks and social network properties relative to health and behavioral outcomes. Along with incorporating it into her research, Meg loves to mentor and teach on SNA. She has created and taught multiple graduate-level SNA courses at Texas A&M, delivered SNA workshops at conferences and meetings (e.g., American Public Health Association; National Institutes of Health), and advised/mentored several undergraduate, masters, and doctoral-level students in learning and using SNA. Meg received her BA in Psychology and MPH in Community Health from Baylor University, and earned her PhD in Health Education from Texas A&M University.
Education
- PhD, Health Education Texas A&M University, 2016
- MPH, Community Health Baylor University, 2012
- BA, Psychology Baylor University, 2009
Research Interests
- Social Network Analysis
- Social Connectedness
- Community Health
- Behavioral Health
Awards & Honors
- Department of Health Behavior Annual Merit Review and Evaluation Committee - Department of Health Behavior, Texas A&M University. 2024-present
- School of Public Health Research Committee - Texas A&M School of Public Health. 2024-present
- AAHB Member Delegate - American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB). 2023-present
- DrPH Oversight Committee - Texas A&M School of Public Health. 2022-present
- Baylor University Public Health Advisory Board Member - Baylor University. 2020-present
- ASCEND Research Leadership Fellow - Texas A&M University. 2023
- Fellow - American Academy of Health Behavior. 2022
- Faculty Climate Award - Texas A&M University. 2019
- NIRSA Foundation President’s Award for Outstanding Writing - National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association. 2018
- “To Light the Ways” Award for Contributions to the Profession - Baylor University. 2018
Teaching Interests
- Social Network Analysis
- Research Methods
