Member of Indiana University Alliance of Distinguished Rank Professors

Mohammad R. Torabi, Ph.D., MPH, FAAHB

Chancellor's Professor and Chairperson

Department of Applied Health Science

Indiana University

HPER 116

1025 E. 7^th Street

Bloomington, IN 47405

Telephone: 812-855-4808

FAX: 812-855-3936

e-mail: torabi

|  Background |  Experience |  Research | Editor  | Award |  Leadership |  Publication |  Presentation |  Grant |  Consultancy |

Academic Background

• Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Education with an emphasis in Measurement and Evaluation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, May, 1982.
• M.P.H. Master of Public Health degree in Public Health Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, May, 1984.
• M.S.P.H. Master of Science in Public Health degree, School of Public Health of Tehran University, Tehran, Iran, May, 1978.
• B.S. Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology with a minor in Leadership and Management, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran, June, 1975.

Certificate

• Certificate for successful completion of the Alcohol and Drug Education Program, Wabash Valley Hospital Mental Center, Inc., West Lafayette, IN.

Professional Experience

• Chairperson, Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, July 1999 -
• Chancellor's Professor of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, April 1997 -
• Director, Center for Health and Safety Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, July 1999-
• Co-Director, Institute for Drug Abuse Prevention, Indiana University, Bloomington, July 1999 -
• Co-Director, Rural Center for Study and Promotion of HIV/STD Prevention, January, 1994 -
• Director, Center for Minority Health Research, July 2006 -

Research Focus

• Evaluation of school and public health education programs
• Evaluation of factors associated with health behavior including health promotion
• Evaluation of key factors related to individuals' decisions in the prevention of tobacco and other drug use and abuse
• Evaluation of key factors related to individuals' decisions in the prevention of cancer and HIV/AIDS infection

Editorial Responsibilities

• Editor, The Health Education Monograph Series, Publication of National Health Education Honorary, 1993 -
• Assistant Editor for Research, Journal of School Health, 1987- 2005
• Research Editor for American Journal of Health Behavior, formally known as Health Values: Health Behavior, Education and Promotion, 1990- 2005
• Editorial Board Member, American School Health Association, 2003-
• Editorial Board Member, American Journal of Health Studies, 1996 -
• Editorial Board Member, Journal of Health Education, 1992 - 1995
• Editorial Board Member, Asian Journal of Exercise and Sports Science (Epidemiology Section), 2002-

Selected Honors and Awards

• Scholar Award, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, 2008.
• Distinguished Scholar Award, International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance (ICHPER-SD), 2008
• Presidential Citation, American School Health Association in recognition of the ongoing exceptional support you have provided for the American School Health Association and your contributions through scholarly research and institutional support for the health and safety of children and youth, 2007.
• Selected to be among scholars for the Virtual Academy: A Living History of Health Education, 2007.
• Wild and White Scholar Award, University of Northern Iowa, for contributions that have significantly advanced the cause of the areas of health, physical education, recreation, or youth and human services, 2005
• Outstanding Service Award, American Academy of Health Behavior, for service to its members and Fellows, as a member of the AAHB Board of Directors, 2003
• Professional Service to Health Education Award, American Association for Health Education, 2003
• Recognition of Voluntary Service as a Council Member, American Lung Association, May, 2003
• Honor Award, Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Education Honorary, for leadership in the health education profession, 2003
• William A. Howe Award, for outstanding contributions and distinguished service in school health, American School Health Association, 2001
• North American Regional Office, International Union for Health Promotion and Education Certificate of Appreciation, for Outstanding Leadership and Service as Vice-President, Coordination, Administration, and Membership, 2001
• Showcased in International Year of the Volunteer, by the National Office of the American Lung Association, 2001
• Charter Member, North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance Professionals, 2000
• Scholar Award for the Year 2000, American Association for Health Education, April 2000
• William L. Yarber Professorship for scholarly work in the area of AIDS/STDs and/or human sexuality, 1998-99
• Tony and Mary Hulman Health Achievement Award for distinguished and outstanding services in Public Health and Preventive Medicine, by Indiana Public Health Foundation, October 1998
• Chancellor's Professorship Award: Member of Indiana University Alliance of Professors of Distinguished Rank for achieving local, national, and international distinction in teaching, research, and interaction between teaching and research, Indiana University, 1997
• W. George Pinnell Award for Outstanding Service in recognition of exceptional commitment and distinguished achievement in the service of Indiana University, 1997
• The Indiana University Presidents Distinguished Teaching Award, 1993
• The Indiana University Distinguished Service Award, 1996
• Purdue University Distinguished Alumnus Award, College of Liberal Arts of, 1999
• Outstanding Researcher Award, Indiana University, School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, 1995-96
• American School Health Research Council Award, 1994
• National Distinguished Service Award, American School Health Association, 1992
• Scholar Award, Midwest District of American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 1994

Selected Leadership in Professional Organizations 

President/Vice-President of:

• American Academy of Health Behavior
• School and Community Safety, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
• American Lung Association of Indiana
• Co-Commissioner of Health Education for International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, & Dance
• American School Health Association
• North American Region of International Union for Health Promotion and Education
• Alpha Chapter, Phi Delta Kappa

Served on National Board of Directors:

• American Academy of Health Behavior
• American Association for Health Education
• Association for Advancement of Health Education
• American School Health Association
• Eta Sigma Gamma - Professional Health Education Honorary
• International Union for Health Promotion and Education, North American Region

Fellow of:

• American Academy of Health Behavior
• Research Consortium, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
• American Association for Health Education
• American School Health Association
• North American Society of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance Professionals

Committee Chair of:

• Alliance Scholar Committee, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
• Subcommittee on Tobacco Prevention, American Lung Association
• Professional Education and Research Committee, American Lung Association
• Research Council, American School Health Association

Committee Member of:

• American Association for Health Education
• Multicultural Involvement Committee of the Association for Advancement of Health Education
• National Advisory Committee to CEO of American Cancer Society
• Ad Hoc Task Force on Learning, American Cancer Society
• C. Everett Koop Unsung Hero Award Committee of American Lung Association
• Ad Hoc Task Force on Learning, American Lung Association
• Budget and Finance Committee, American School Health Association
• National Committee on Minority Recruitment, Phi Delta Kappa

Selected Recent Publications

• Seo, D.-C., Torabi, M. R., Jiang, N., Fernandez-Rojas, X., & Park, B.-H. (in press). Cross-cultural comparison of lack of regular physical activity among college students: universal versus transversal. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
• Seo, D.-C., Torabi, M. R., Jiang, N., Rojas, X. F., & Park, B.-H. (in press). Correlates of college students’ physical activity: Cross-cultural differences. Asian Pacific Journal of Public Health
• Thiagarajah, K., & Torabi, M.R. (in press). Irregular breakfast eating and associated health behaviors: A pilot study among college students. The Health Educator
• Torabi, M.R., & Seo, D.C. (in press). Differences in vigorous and moderate physical activity by gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, and income among US adults. American Journal of Health Education
• Torabi, M.R., & Thiagarajah, K. (in press). College students attitudes related to prevention of HIV and AIDS.  Psychological Reports 
• Seo, D.-C., Weaver, A. E., & Torabi, M. R. (in press). Salient correlates of current and established smoking for two representative cohorts of Indiana adolescents. Journal of School Health 
• Seo, D.-C., Torabi, M. R., & Weaver, A. E. (in press). Factors influencing openness to future smoking among nonsmoking adolescents. Journal of School Health 
• Torabi, M.R., Perera, P.B., & Seo, D.C. (2008). Attitudes as an important predisposition to health behavior. In R.W. Pierce & R. I. Schwartz (Eds.), New Perspectives on Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Health (pp. 217-229). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.
• Dabbagh, L., Torabi, M., & Hieftje, K.(2008). The impact of rural migration, poverty, and weakened global economies on the continued rise in HIV transmission rates. The Health Education Monograph Series 25(2), 51-57.
• Seo, D.-C., Torabi, M. R., Li, K., John, P. M., Woodcox, S. G., & Perera, B. (2008). Perceived susceptibility to diabetes and attitudes towards preventing diabetes among college students at a large Midwestern university. American Journal of Health Studies, 23(3), 143-150.
• Seo, D.-C., Torabi, M. R., & Weaver, A. E. (2008). Factors influencing openness to future smoking among nonsmoking adolescents. Journal of School Health, 78(6), 328-336
• Seo, D.-C., & Torabi, M. R.(2007). Reduced admissions for acute myocardial infarctions associated with a public smoking ban: matched control study. The Journal of Drug Education, 37(3), 217-226.
• Ding, K., Torabi, M.R., Perera, B., Jun, M.K., & Jones-McKyer, E.L. (2007). Inhalant use among Indiana school children, 1991-2004. American Journal of Health Behavior, 31(1), 24-34.
• Seo, D.-C., & Torabi, M. R. (2007). Differences in vigorous and moderate physical activity by gender, race/ethnicity, age, education, and income among US adults. American Journal of Health Education, 38(3), 122-128.
• Torabi, M.(2007). Eta Sigma Gamma: A retrospective review and a vision for the future. The Health Educator, 39(2), 77-78.
• Seo, D.C., & Torabi, M.R. (2006). Racial/ethnic differences in body mass index, morbidity, and attitudes toward obesity among US adults. Journal of the National Medical Association, 98(8), 1300-1308.
• Perera, B., Torabi, M.R., Jayawardana, G., & Pallethanna, N. (2006). Depressive symptoms among adolescents in Sri Lanka: Prevalence and behavioral correlates. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39(1), 144-146.
• Torabi, M.R., Yarber, W.L., & Jeng, I. (2006). Trends of Indiana public opinion about condom use for HIV prevention - 1993, 1998, and 2003. American Journal of Health Education, 37(2), 78-86.
• McDermott, R.J.,……Torabi, M.R., et al. (2005). A vision for doctoral research training in health behavior: A position paper from the American Academy of Health Behavior. American Journal of Health Behavior, 29(6), 542-556.
• Yarber, W.L., Milhausen, R.R., Crosby, R., &  Torabi, M.R. (2005). Public opinion about condoms for HIV/STD prevention: A Midwestern state telephone survey. Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductory Health, 37(3), 148-154.
• Seo, D.C., & Torabi, M. R. (2005). Indiana residents’ perceptions of driving and lower blood alcohol concentration. American Journal of Health Education, 36(1), 26-34. 
• Torabi, M.R., & Seo, D.C. (2005). Sociodemographic correlates of public perceptions regarding a smoking ban in bars and restaurants. Journal of Drug Education, 34(4), 335-350.
• Torabi, M.R. (2004). Optimistically looking ahead: closing remarks by incoming president of the academy. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28(6), 569-571. 
• Seo, D.C., Torabi, M.R., Blair, E.H., & Ellis, N.T. (2004). A cross-validation of safety climate scale using confirmatory factor analytic approach. Journal of Safety Research 35, 427-445.
• Seo, D.C., & Torabi, M.R. (2004). Impact of in-vehicle cell-phone use on accidents or near- accidents among college students. Journal of American College Health, 53(3), 101-107.
• Seo, D.C., Blair, E.H., Torabi, M.R., & Kaldahl, M.A. (2004). Lifestyle and perceptional changes among college students since September 11. American Journal of Health Studies, 19(1), 20-27.
• Blair, E.H., Watts, G.F., Torabi, M.R., & Seo, D.C. (2004). A motor vehicle safety behavior scale for young drivers. American Journal of Health Studies, 19(1), 11-19.
• Blair, E.H., Seo, D.C., Torabi, M.R., & Kaldahl, M.A. (2004). Safety beliefs and safe behavior among Midwestern college students. Journal of Safety Research, 35(2), 131-140.
• Torabi, M.R., & Seo, D.C. (2004). National study of behavioral and life changes since September 11. Health Education and Behavior, 31(2), 179-192.
• Seo, D.C., & Torabi, M.R. (2004). National study of emotional and perceptional changes since September 11. American Journal of Health Education, 35(1), 37-45.
• Torabi, M.R., Seo, D.C., & Jeng, I. (2004). Alternate forms of health attitude scale. American Journal of Health Behavior, 28(2), 166-172.
• Perera, B., & Torabi, M.R. (2004). A preliminary study of smoking and alcohol use among students in southern Sri Lanka. Psychological Reports, 94, 856-858.
• Encarnacion-Garcia, H., & Torabi, M.R. (2003). HIV/AIDS education: A culturally competent approach for Hispanic/Latino. The Health Education Monograph Series, 19(3), 48-53.
• Kay, N.S., Torabi, M.R., & Jeng, I. (2003). An evaluation of HIV/AIDS education in Thailand using a video approach. The Health Education Monograph Series, 19(3), 40-47.
• Torabi, M.R., & Jeng, I. (2003). Mentoring international students: Challenges and opportunities. The Health Education Monograph Series, 20(1), 21-27.
• Kay, N.S., & Torabi, M.R. (2003). Health risk behaviors: United States and international students. Journal of International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance, 39(2), 43.
• Ding, K., Torabi, M.R., & Bailey, W.J. (2003). Trend analysis of cigarette smoking by Indiana adolescents, 1991-2000. American Journal of Health Behavior, 27(1), 35-42.
• Howerton, M.W., Torabi, M.R., Russell, L.A., Engs, R.C., & Schwen, T. (submitted). Evaluation of a school-based multimedia smoking prevention 'kit' on middle-school-aged youth. American Journal of Health Education
• Torabi, M.R., Yang, J., & Li, J. (2002). Comparison of tobacco use knowledge, attitude, and practice among the college students of United States and China. Health Promotion International, 17(3), 247-253.
• Thomas, S.S., Torabi, M.R., Jay, S.J., Capparo, J., & Jeng, I. (2002). Tobacco education in North American medical school curricula. American Journal of Health Studies, 17(4), 173-180.
• Kay, N.S., Torabi, M.R., Ding, K., Fernandez Rojas, X.E., & Encarnacion, H. (2001). Breast self-examination: Attitude and knowledge of female college students form USA, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. The Health Education Monograph Series, 19(1), 32-39.
• O'Toole, T.P., & Torabi, M.R. (2001). A comparison of personality types considering tobacco use. American Journal of Health Studies, 17(1), 20-25.
• Torabi, M.R. (2001). AAHE scholar paper: Paths for successful health education scholars. American Journal of Health Education, 32(6), 324-331.
• Torabi, M.R., & Jeng, I. (2001). Health attitudes scale construction: Importance of psychometrics evidence. American Journal of Health Behavior, 25(3), 290-298.
• Torabi, M.R., Johnson, K., & Crowe, J.W. (2001). Tobacco use among Russian students compared to American counterparts. Journal of International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport & Dance, 37(1), 49-51.
• Torabi, M.R., Aguillon, S., & Jeng, I. (2000). Family physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS prevention. The Health Education Monograph Series, 18(1), 51-58.
• Kotecki, J.E., Elanjian, S.I., & Torabi, M.R. (2000). Health promotion beliefs and practices among pharmacists. Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, 40(6), 773-779.
• Torabi, M.R., Crowe, J.W., Rhine, S., Daniels, D., & Jeng, I. (2000). Evaluation of HIV/AIDS education in Russia: Using a video approach. Journal of School Health, 70(6), 229-233.
• Torabi, M.R., & Jeng, I. (1999). Trends of public knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS in Indiana. American Journal of Health Studies, 15(4), 203-216.
• Torabi, M.R., Jeng, I., & Broadbear, J.T. (1999). Publishing in professional journals: Critical steps for young scholars. The Health Educator Journal, 30(2), 34-39.
• Yarber, W.L., & Torabi, M.R. (1999). Public opinion from a rural state about condoms for HIV prevention: 1993 and 1998. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 24(1 & 2), 56-62.
• Torabi, M.R., Ellis, N., Alborn, B., Wantz, M., & Tappe, M. (1999). Evaluation of an innovative comprehensive school health education teacher training. Journal of Health Education, 30(3), 173-179.

Selected Recent Presentations

Selected Grants/Contracts

Selected Consultancies

• Invited Member of Working Group for SelecTrain Company, Saudi Arabia
• Invited Member of Experts Panel on Evaluation of Sexuality Education Programs, Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States
• U.S.  Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health (reviewer)
• National Institute of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Division of Scientific Review (consultant)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Adolescent School Health (reviewer)
• Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, Expert Panel on Evaluation of Sexuality Education Programs (member, experts panel)
• Indiana University Institute for Drug Abuse Prevention (consultant)
• U.S. Department of Education Funded Project, Comprehensive School Health Program Evaluation (consultant)
• American School Health Association, Evaluation Grant (consultant)