Always approachable and easy to talk to.
A true mentor who cares about success.
Creates a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Brings real-world relevance to learning.
Lisa Smith serves as an Associate Teaching Professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University on the Downtown Phoenix campus. She holds a Ph.D. in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness from Arizona State University, completed in 2014, and a Master of Science in Exercise and Wellness from the same university in 2010. Smith's academic career at Arizona State University centers on health sciences, with her expertise spanning multiple areas including drug abuse and addiction, exercise, general health, obesity, physical activity, and stress management. Her research interests explicitly include mindfulness practices, bariatric surgery outcomes, substance abuse interventions, meditation techniques, and obesity management strategies. These focuses align with her contributions to studies exploring meditative movement for improving health metrics in diverse populations. As a dedicated faculty member, she represents the Exercise and Wellness area on the University Senate, with her term running until 2027. She also participates in the Health and Wellness Services committee, contributing to university-wide initiatives in faculty governance and student well-being.
In her scholarly work, Lisa Smith has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles that advance understanding of integrative health practices. Key publications include the 2021 paper 'Pilot Study of Tai Chi and Qigong on Body Composition, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, and Mental Health in Women With Substance Use Disorder,' published in the Journal of Women & Aging, where she is listed as a co-author affiliated with the College of Health Solutions. Another significant contribution is the 2016 study 'Exploratory outcome assessment of Qigong/Tai Chi Easy on veterans with chronic pain,' appearing in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine, highlighting meditative interventions for pain management. Additionally, in 2014, she co-authored 'A biobehavioral model of weight loss associated with meditative movement practice among breast cancer survivors' in Health Psychology Open, examining mechanisms of weight loss through such practices. Earlier affiliations link her to the Exercise Science and Health Promotion program at Arizona State University. Through teaching in health care systems and movement sciences, along with her research and service roles, Smith supports the development of knowledge in physical activity, nutrition, and wellness, fostering advancements in health promotion and behavioral interventions for conditions like obesity and substance use.