The focus of Dr. Jordan's program of research is the role of the neural exposome, specifically environmental stress, in healthy aging and neurological disorders. He utilizes mobile and wearable technology to better understand stress as it is experienced in free living conditions. His lab has developed several mobile apps focused on measuring stress as it happens in real time through ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and intervening on stress as it occurs through just in time adaptive interventions (JITAI). In his research, he utilizes a variety of wearable devices including smartwatches, smart rings, and fitness trackers to measure additional variables of interest such as heart rate, heart rate variability, physical activity, and sleep. His research is funded by multiple institutes at the National Institute of Health (NIH) including the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) as well as the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute.
Dr. Jordan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health & Wellness Design in the Indiana University School of Public Health – Bloomington. He also serves as the Associate Chair of Strategic Initiatives. He has an adjunct appointment in the Indiana University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, is an Affiliate Scientist in the Regenstrief Institute Center for Health Services Research, and is an Affiliate Faculty in the Indiana University Center for Global Health.
Betsey Nuseibeh – Doctoral Students
Betsey is a PhD student in the School of Public Health, Department of Health and Wellness Design, Indiana University-Bloomington. She is also a predoctoral NIH T32 in Interdisciplinary Training in Biobehavioral Oncology, School of Nursing, Indiana University-Indianapolis. Betsey has worked in the field of music and music therapy for over 20 years, most recently as the founder and Executive Director of Melodic Connections, a mid-size music therapy-based non-profit in Cincinnati, Ohio. Betsey's research focuses on improving health outcomes for cancer survivors through the use of music interventions to help improve vagal regulation. Currently she is examining the effects of singing on heart rate variability to improve stress response for breast cancer survivors.
Xing Yao – Doctoral Students
Xing Yao is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Health and Wellness Design at the School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington. Her major is in Leisure Behavior, with minors in Gender Studies and Inquiry Methodology. Her research interests include gender disparities in leisure activities (especially travel) and their impact on mental health. She is particularly interested in exploring these issues from the perspectives of gender space, gender power dynamics, ableism, and cross-cultural contexts. She has conducted several studies on gender-related stress among Chinese couples and how stress is perpetuated within home-like spaces. Additionally, she is actively involved as a research assistant on an NIH/NIA R21 project titled "Examining the Daily Stress of Mid-Life Adults in the Built and Natural Environment," led by Dr. Evan Jordan. In this role, she has contributed to designing survey instruments, managing data, setting up REDCap, collaborating with community leaders, and conducting thematic analysis.
Maria Klein – Doctoral Students
A lifelong Hoosier, Maria Klein earned a BS from the College of Health and Human Sciences at Purdue University. She also completed an MPA from the O'Neill School at Indiana University Indianapolis while working in data management, evaluation, and communications roles in the nonprofit sector. Now a 3rd year Epidemiology PhD student minoring in data science, Maria's research interests include modifiable risk factors for age-related dementia and data collection with wearable technology. In addition to working with Dr. Jordan's lab, Maria studies under Dr. Molly Rosenberg, investigating cognitive decline in low and middle-income countries. Outside of research, she interns for IU's Biostatistics Consulting Center and serves on the Indiana Public Health Association's student advisory group. Maria's favorite ways to spend free time include jeep-riding, laughing at low-budget disaster movies with her kids, and convincing her husband that their hobby farm NEEDS mini-cows.
Paige Moore – Doctoral Students
Paige Moore works as a Doctoral Students in the Jordan Lab. She has obtained a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology from Indiana University Bloomington. She is passionate about studying diet as an intervention and prevention in neurological ailments such as neurodegenerative diseases and mental health illnesses. Paige has interned in multiple research settings through the Gregory S. Fehribach program. In her free time, she loves reading, hiking, and baking.
Chasie Poe, MBA – Research Coordinator
Chasie Poe is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Department of Health and Wellness Design at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington. She holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University. She enjoyed her time on the STRIVE project and is currently working with Dr. Jordan on his NIH/NINDS R01, titled “Assessing Urban-Rural Environmental Stress Inequities in ADRD through Ecological Momentary Assessment (AURESIA). She is passionate about research and is dedicated to improving health outcomes and enhancing lives through her work. In her free time, Chasie enjoys attending church, hiking, playing the piano, and spending quality time with her family.
Dawne (Aurora) DiOrio, MPA, CPH – Research Assistant
Aurora comes to the study after retiring from 21 years of federal service with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as 15 years teaching at IU in the School of Public Health and the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Aurora has an MPA from the O’Neill School in public management and policy analysis. Her undergraduate degree is in Social Welfare from the University of Southern Maine. Her background with CDC and prior work as a public health manager for state and local STD/HIV programs focused on training and supervising those who conduct interviews with people diagnosed with an STI or HIV. Aurora also served on CDC’s national outbreak response for COVID-19 on the Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Team and the Vaccine Task Force. She is excited to translate her experience and skill interviewing people in challenging circumstances to benefit potential participants for AURESIA. She enjoys gardening, traveling, cooking, and her two cats.
Nathan Clearwaters - Research Assistant
Nathan works in the Jordan Lab as a Research Assistant. He holds a B.S. in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University Bloomington. Nathan believes that serving humanity brings calmness and satisfaction in life. He aspires to continue his education and gain experience in Mental Health Counseling. He enjoys knowing that he can use his empathy and compassion to offer others support in challenging times. He believes he has many valuable skills that can help him succeed as a mental health counselor, and is excited about pursuing this profession so he can help others with their mental health issues. Nathan’s favorite ways to spend his time are working out, reading comic books, and participating in trivia.
Jordan Hill - Research Scientist, Ph.D.
Dr. Jordan Hill is a human factors engineer and systems thinker with a passion for using technology to solve complex problems. Her research applies systems engineering principles to understand and assess the needs of users and she employs human-centered design techniques to create technological interventions that meet those needs. She is especially interested in engaging technology users as co-designers of these technologies.
Dr. Hill’s current research focuses on promoting healthy aging, including using technology to support informal caregivers of people with dementia and to assist older adults in making safe medication decisions. She has adapted existing human factors methodologies to be performed remotely with older adults to enable their increased inclusion in research.
Genyuan Li - Doctoral student
Genyuan (Root) Li is a first-year doctoral student in the Department of Health and Wellness Design at the School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington. With a background in industrial design and medical anthropology, he is passionate about the outdoors and enjoys integrating his observations and experiences into creative research projects. During his academic journey at the University of Edinburgh, he developed “Sensory Wandering,” an experiential art project that invited people to explore the restorative potential of the Scottish natural environment through sensory-based walks. He also conducted a medical anthropology study exploring and documenting the cross-cultural health practices of Chinese international students in the UK. Genyuan recently joined the Jordan Lab and is interested in applying his interdisciplinary skill set to healthcare design and nature-based interventions that promote psychological and physical well-being.
Audrey Balint - Research Assistant
Audrey works in the Jordan Lab as a Research Assistant. She is a current Neuroscience undergraduate with additional studies in Spanish and Social Science and Medicine. In the past year, she has provided trauma-informed support and care to youth with the Middle Way House RISE program. She is passionate about research as a way to explore and illuminate the lived experiences that determine health outcomes, with a particular focus on the nervous system. Her research and study interests center on the impact of stress, trauma, and healthcare access on neurodegenerative disease and addiction. As an aspiring physician-scientist, she hopes to integrate her understanding of environmental stress and social determinants of health into adaptive, informed patient care.
Audrey loves hiking, coffee, spending time with friends, and getting to know people! She is incredibly grateful for the connections and community she has found in Bloomington and loves to be a part of it.
Former people
Laurel Curran, PhD, MPH
Laurel (Dr. Lo - as the students say; she/they) is a postdoctoral fellow for the Jordan Lab and adjunct faculty in the Department of Applied Health Science at Indiana University Bloomington's (IUB) School of Public Health. She completed her PhD in 2024 at Texas A&M University's (TAMU) School of Public Health with a dissertation titled "Active, Equitable Aging: Insights for Age-, Queer-, and Disability-Friendly Communities". Dr. Lo holds certificates in advanced research methods (from the TAMU College of Education and Human Development) and health systems & design (from the TAMU College of Architecture). She is also a WELL Accredited Professional, with subject matter expertise in the connections between public health and design. Having done her MPH at IUB, Laurel is elated to return to B-town's friendly vibes and artsy culture. She spends her free time volunteering with equine therapy programs and attending orchestral events.
Jonathan Gerth
Jonathan Gerth is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Health and Wellness Design at the School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington. His research interests include the impact of adaptive outdoor recreation activities on youth with disabilities. He has presented at the American Camp Association's National Conference and post-graduation plans to continue doing camp research as either a camp director or researcher. As part of Dr. Evan Jordan's NIH/NIA R21 project "Examining the Daily Stress of Mid-Life Adults in the Built and Natural Environment," he has examined the differences in stressor locations for those with health impairments compared to those without.
Kirti Sharma
Kirti Sharma is a trained dentist from India who pursued her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology at Indiana University Bloomington after being inspired by the tremendous efforts of the public health workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her research focuses on the mental and physical well-being of adolescents and young adults, and she has contributed to various research teams addressing public health issues in this population. Outside of her professional endeavors, Kirti enjoys building with Lego and painting, which provide a creative outlet for her vibrant personality.
Canaan Perry – Research Specialist
Canaan Perry works in the Jordan Lab as a Research Specialist. She graduated in 2020 from Indiana University Indianapolis with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Canaan has worked on a variety of projects ranging from addictions and decision making, to using new technology to support people with Alzheimer's and dementia. Her current focus is recruiting and retaining research participants to collaboratively improve research and healthcare practices. She enjoys being part of the STRIVE study team. Outside of work, she likes spending time with friends and family, playing the piano, and cooking for her family and her hermit crabs.
Sarah Greenwell – Research Specialist
Sarah is fascinated by how the environment influences wellbeing and chronic illness progression, and she is excited to explore these interests as part of the AURESIA team. She holds a Neuroscience BS from Indiana University Bloomington and coordinated behavioral intervention trials at University of Michigan Medicine before returning to her alma mater. As an aspiring public health scientist, she hopes to work with communities to identify and tackle social, structural, and environmental barriers to mental wellness and chronic illness management.
Sarah dabbles in printmaking, cycling, and rock climbing. She is grateful for her community in Bloomington and is always looking for ways to give back, inside and outside of the lab.
