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Professorial Fellow, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University; Emeritus Professor, Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California San Diego, University of California, San Diego

James F. Sallis, Ph.D is Emeritus Professor in the Wertheim School of Public Health at University of California San Diego and Professorial Fellow at the Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University. His primary research interests are promoting physical activity and understanding policy and environmental influences on physical activity, sedentary behavior, nutrition, and obesity. Prof. Sallis was a pioneer in developing the interdisciplinary study of built environment and physical activity, including such topics as community walkability, design of parks, and facilities for safe bicycling. He co-founded IPEN (International Physical Activity and Environment Network), which is coordinating international studies in over 20 countries. His health improvement programs have been studied and used in health care settings, schools, universities, and companies.

His current focus is using research to inform policy and environmental changes that will increase physical activity and reduce obesity and chronic diseases. He is the author of over 700 scientific publications and in the top 0.01% of the world’s most cited authors. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports in 2011. He is an elected member of the US National Academy of Medicine and Past-President of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

Experience

  • 2017–present
    Professorial fellow, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University
  • 2011–present
    Emeritus professor at Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California San Diego
  • 1989–2011
    Professor, San Diego State University

Education

  • 1981 
    Memphis State Universtity (now University of Memphis), PhD

Honours

Elected member, US National Academy of Medicine; Honorary doctoral degrees from University of Southern Denmark, Odense, and Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.