In the PARCI Lab, we use scientific methods from behavioral psychology and dissemination & implementation as well as the art, practice, philosophy and science of yoga to help people live the good life, or to flourish.

We measure the Flourishing Index (a holistic measure of happiness, life satisfaction, mental and physical health) and capture people’s lived experiences through qualitative methodologies.

The communities we serve are vast—from cancer survivors to academics ourselves—and we always use a participatory approach to answer questions that are both empirically and practically meaningful.

Principal investigator

"In the PARCI lab, I have the privilege of training scientists and practitioners to impact the lives of others. As a registered yoga instructor and academic, I use science and the personal experience of clients, participants, and myself to promote that being active can change your life: You can avoid chronic disease, feel better in your body & mind, and maintain or find a better quality of life."

Samantha M. Harden, PhD, 500 RYT

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We believe
Yoga principles could be piercing academia, public health, and the healthcare system.

Our Vision

Use our talents, expertise, and passion to serve others.

We accomplish this through evidence-based adaptations, training, and evaluation to ensure the best fit intervention is adopted and sustained within practice settings.

Our Values:
We demonstrate our commitment to these values through

Vulnerability and resiliency. Acknowledging and embracing when we don’t know the answer… . We ask questions, early and often.
Flexibility and humor. Remembering that nothing is perfect, but we commit ourselves to our efforts.
Appreciation of excellence in effort. Offer insight to each other to bring out quality in work (feedback on slides, elevator pitch, papers, etc.).
Stability. Mentor those less senior in the lab and seek mentorship from those more senior in the lab. Ensure adequate resource allocation (time, money, personnel).
Clear, honest communication, complete with active listening.

Frazier, PhD Student
Translational Biology, Medicine, + Health

Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program

Goofball cyclist. Food fiend. Excited about dissemination & implementation science. Enjoys sweaty yoga, waving at dogs, making playlists, finishing a good book, and playing outside. Would love to teach you basic bike maintenance.

Mail

Email: mcf712@vt.edu

Current ResearcH Personnel

Megan Pullin, M.S., 500 ERYT

Yoga Therapist and Program Manager

FIRE with a dash of WHITEWATER. Yoga Therapist, Personal Trainer, and Amateur Martial Artist. Enjoys lifting heavy things, deeeeep belly laughs, kicking it with my dawgs and dogs, trail runs with hair blowing in the wind, playing harmonium, and digging in the dirt. Believes that all beings deserve the space to step into their full potential! Let's create it together!

Mail

Email: mjpullin@vt.edu

RESEARCH

Yoga poses, practices, and methodologies align with scientifically rigorous interventions for health promotion across fields such as physiology, psychology, and neuroscience. However, this work has been predominantly clinical or translational, and it has missed an opportunity to leverage community settings where people are already practicing yoga. A bidirectional, translational pipeline that equally values research and practice evidence can identify empirical gaps, support rigorous studies to close those gaps, and have partnerships with myriad individuals who are able to promote yoga as well as its influence on individual and societal health.

OUTREACH

25% of my appointment is with Virginia Cooperative Extension where I serve as the physical activity specialist of the Commonwealth. Our goal is to equip county-based agents across the Commonwealth and the nation in feeling confident and competent in selecting, adapting, delivering, and evaluating evidence-based interventions using social connection, physical activity, breathwork, and moment-to-moment awareness as pracices to promote intra-and inter-personal health.

TEACHING

My teaching and mentorship includes:

- Leadership on the RE-AIM framework

-Instructing a Dissemination and Implementation science graduate course

- Facilitating a study abroad that explores yoga and Blue Zones principles in in Nosara, Costa Rica

-Guidance for junior faculty (personal and professional)

-Overseeing incredible undergraduate and graduate scholars

Clinician Research mentees

Shannon Armbruster, MD, MPH

Dr. Armbruster (left) is a gynecologic oncologist working to promote physical and mental health among endometrial cancer survivors (ECS). Recipient of an iTHRIV K award, for which Dr. Harden is a co-mentor with Dr. Jamie Zoellner (University of Virginia), the team aims to adapt an existing evidence-based program for the needs of ECS and their support team members.

Madalina Macrea, MD

Dr. Macrea investigates novel exercise programs for veterans with COPD and other pulmonary disorders. We are particularly interested in interventions that are welcoming, relevant, and fit within the veteran's lifestyle and preferences.

Liz Courtney, PhD

Dr. Courtney is the Director of PREVAIL Program for Chronic Pain at the Salem VA Medical Center. She has partnered with Dr. Harden to explore the implementation of the Whole Health framework for the treatment of chronic pain. This innovative approach involves Veterans meeting with an interdisciplinary (interventional pain, psychology, pharmacy, nutrition, physical therapy) team (IDT) to develop patient-centered treatment plans based on the Whole Health and biopsychosocial models.

Anna Dysart, PhD

Morgan Gregg, MS

Abby Steketee, PhD, MPH

Becky Eacho, ACE-GFI, CPT

Thomas Strayer III, PhD

Clinical/Translational Research Coordinator at Vanderbilt University Medical Center

NithyaPriya S. Ramalingam, PhD

Laura Balis, PhD

Meghan Wilson, PhD

Alicia Everette, MS

Andrey Esakia, MS

Anna Taggart, MS

Current + past undergraduate research assistants

Lauren Stauffer

Human Nutrition, Foods, & Exercise. Passionate about inclusive & accessible complementary medicine. Loves to play in her yoga practice, explore the world, & connect with nature.

Ashlin Hicks

I'm a clinical neuroscience undergraduate with a passion for understanding the brain and the world around me. A lifelong learner and nature enthusiast, I blend science with curiosity, always seeking new experiences—whether in research or the great outdoors.

Holland Dixon

B. S in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise Richmond, VA native, lifelong yogi, and classical Pilates beginner. Fiction reader, dog lover, and newbie traveler to hoping to eat everything and see the world! Excited about the science of well-being especially how movement, nutrition, and daily habits shape health and longevity.

Therese Osborn

Public Health major and Spanish minor. Passionate about community and global health. Lover of traveling, a good workout, and cooking!

Rachel Dellamar

Public Health major - loves good workouts, good food, and good people

Nick Covington

Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise BS major and Senior Residential Well-Being Student Leader and President of Delta Epsilon Mu at the Alpha Gamma Chapter

Rachel Kaplan

Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise Science major. Loves cooking, staying active, and traveling!

Karsen Barley

Human Nutrition, Food, & Exercise major. Loves to run and spend time outside + is passionate about community health and wellness.

Daryn Olsen

Human, Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise major with a Public Health minor. Very interested in studying all aspects of health and wellness within groups and communities. Lover of reading, the outdoors, traveling, and trying new things!

past graduate students