About

Ashley Anderson is an assistant professor at the School of Visual Arts at Virginia Tech. She is a researcher and educator focusing on human-centered design and visual representation, particularly in the context of mental health and psychological intervention. Her current research explores how design can inform theory, processes, and methods used to facilitate psychological intervention, including evaluating the effectiveness of a novel picture-based stereotype threat intervention for Black undergraduate students in STEM majors. She is also interested in exploring the role of AI in human-machine teaming, with recent work aimed at revealing how AI-enabled interfaces might support sensemaking by intelligence analysts. Originally from North Carolina, Ashley Anderson earned a Master of Graphic Design from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (Editing and Graphic Design) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Design at NC State University. Her areas of interest include human-centered design, UX design, design for intervention, mental health, mental imagery, visual representation, and generative AI. She teaches courses such as Introduction to Graphic Design I and has contributed to scholarly publications in her field.

Research topics

• Computer Science
• Medicine
• Psychology
• Medical education
• Mathematics education
• Engineering
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation

Selected publications

• Lessons Learned during the Transition to Online Learning in a University Nutrition and Exercise Department

  Education and human development · 2023-03-15

  book-chapterOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  In the spring semester of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented shift from face-to-face learning to an instantaneous online learning environment. At the time, the department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise (HNFE) at Virginia Tech had few online class offerings. Twenty-nine Spring 2020 HNFE classes were transitioned from traditional face-to-face offerings to online delivery models. Many members of the HNFE faculty have strong pedagogical training, but the immediate pedagogical shift in the middle of the semester gave little time for adequate course design geared toward online learning. As such, the purpose of this study was to evaluate student perceptions of the transition to online learning. A departmental survey employing quantitative and qualitative questions was used to assess students’ learning experiences in the spring of 2020 and then re-employed at the conclusion of the Fall 2020 semester to re-assess students’ online course experience and identify if the department was improving in online course delivery. An additional component of the survey specifically evaluated students’ self-perceived motivation for learning. Examples of educational and logistical strategies in online learning environments implemented by instructors and findings of students’ experiences from both surveys will be shared.

  PublisherDOI

• Designing a Return to Activity Protocol for a Proximal Hamstring Rupture in a Collegiate Heptathlete: A Case Study

  2021 · 2 citations

  • Computer Science
  • Medicine
  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation

  There are few return-to-activity protocols and functional tests specifically designed for a proximal hamstring rupture for athletic trainers to follow when clearing an athlete for return to activity. To address this problem, the purpose of this study is to describe and evaluate a return to activity protocol that includes functional testing for a post-surgical proximal hamstring rupture to assess readiness for return to activity. This case study collected data from a 20-year-old, 6ft 2in, 185lb (87.9 kg) collegiate heptathlete that ruptured his proximal hamstring that required surgical treatment. The student athlete’s (SA) return to activity process is evaluated and explained. The SA went through numerous function tests to determine return to activity status. The first testing session was conducted 8 months post-surgery. He was then re-assessed 4 months later. During testing, the SA also wore accelerometers to gather more quantitative data to identify gait abnormalities due to the injury. The first round of testing revealed greater strength in his left (affected) leg compared to his right (unaffected) leg. The SA was not able to complete all the tests during the first round of testing due to muscular fatigue and soreness, suggesting low muscular endurance at that point in time. Thus, he was not cleared to return to activity and continued to do rehabilitation exercises to increase the endurance of the hamstring muscles. The second round of testing was completed 4 months later which revealed that he had gained endurance in the hamstring muscles and his strength had increased. At this point, he was cleared for full return to activity. This return-to-activity protocol with specific functional tests could serve as a template for other athletic trainers who are seeking to return an athlete to full activity after suffering a proximal hamstring rupture (See Appendix I).

  Publisher

• Self-perceptions of critical thinking skills in university students are associated with BMI and exercise

  Journal of American College Health · 2020 · 11 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Psychology
  • Medical education
  • Medicine

  A blended classroom approach was effective in increasing multiple areas of perceptions of critical thinking. However, some perceptions of critical thinking are viewed differently for those of different BMIs and exercise frequency. Consequently, designing interventions specifically targeting those with higher BMIs, could work to erase these inequities.

  PublisherDOI

• One Small Step in the Lecture Hall, One Big Step for Student Motivation: Short Bursts of In-Class Small Group Work

  Pedagogy in Health Promotion · 2020 · 4 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Computer Science
  • Psychology
  • Mathematics education

  Great teachers are continually introducing strategies to engage students, especially those who teach large-lecture classes, whose format can limit active learning and student motivation to engage in learning. Implementation of active teaching strategies must be assessed for effectiveness. Using the simple MUSIC model postcourse assessment survey, student motivation to engage in learning was statistically quantified. A simple short intervention of in-class group work led to significant areas of improvement, which included the students’ perception of the class’ Usefulness towards their future career ( p < .01), their perceived ability for Success in the class ( p < .01), their Interest in the material ( p < .01), and their perception of the instructor Caring about their success ( p < .05). No change was seen in e Mpowerment. In addition, students rated the ease of the class ( p < .01) and the overall satisfaction with the course ( p < .01) significantly higher than the previous semester, prior to the in-class group work implementation. The implementation of this short simple intervention of in-class group work was highly successful in increasing student motivation in a large-lecture, in-major required exercise and health class and can be easily adapted to other large-lecture classes.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Increased body weight affects academic performance in university students

  Preventive Medicine Reports · 2016-12-28 · 74 citations

  articleOpen access1st author

  For K-12 students, obesity has been linked to student educational achievements. The study objective was to determine whether academic performance in university students is correlated with BMI. Students from two consecutive academic years (Jan–May 2013 and Jan–May 2014) were given an optional class survey in May, as extra credit. Of the 452 students that completed the survey, 204 females and 75 males (N = 279; 73% female and 27% male) consented to participate in the study. The number of correct answers to problem-solving questions (PSQs) and the overall final grade for the class were compared to the calculated BMI using linear regression with a Pearson's R correlation and unpaired t-tests. BMI was significantly negatively correlated with student's final grades (P = 0.001 Pearson's r = − 0.190) and PSQs were positively correlated with final grades (P < 0.001; Pearson's r = 0.357). Our findings show a correlation between healthy body weight and improved academic performance. Further, the data suggest that future research in the area of body weight, diet, and exercise and any correlations of these with academic performance in college students are warranted.

  PublisherDOI

• Resistance exercise training and in vitro skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in older adults

  Physiological Reports · 2016-07-01 · 32 citations

  articleOpen access

  Whether resistance exercise training (RET) improves skeletal muscle substrate oxidative capacity and reduces mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species in older adults remains unclear. To address this, 19 older males (≥60 years) were randomized to a RET (n = 11) or to a waitlist control group (n = 8) that remained sedentary for 12 weeks. RET was comprised of three upper body and four lower body movements on resistance machines. One set of 8-12 repetitions to failure of each movement was performed on three nonconsecutive days/week. Improvements in chest press and leg press strength were assessed using a three-repetition maximum (3 RM). Body composition was assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle at baseline and at both 3 weeks and 12 weeks. Palmitate and pyruvate oxidation rates were measured from the (14)CO2 produced from [1-(14)C] palmitic acid and [U-(14)C] pyruvate, respectively, during incubation of muscle homogenates. PGC-1α, TFAM, and PPARδ levels were quantified using qRT-PCR Citrate synthase (CS) and β-HAD activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed using the Amplex Red Hydrogen Peroxide/Peroxidase assay. There were no significant changes in body weight or body composition following the intervention. Chest press and leg press strength (3RM) increased ~34% (both P < 0.01) with RET There were no significant changes in pyruvate or fatty acid oxidation or in the expression of target genes with the intervention. There was a modest increase (P < 0.05) in βHAD activity with RET at 12 weeks but the change in CS enzyme activity was not significant. In addition, there were no significant changes in ROS production in either group following RET Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that 12 weeks of low volume RET does not increase skeletal muscle oxidative capacity or reduce ROS production in older adults.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Resistance Training and Mitochondrial Metabolism

  The FASEB Journal · 2015-04-01

  article

  Objective To determine if resistance exercise training improves skeletal muscle substrate oxidative capacity in older adults. Background A decline in skeletal muscle oxidative capacity occurs with aging. Aerobic exercise increases skeletal muscle's ability to oxidize multiple substrates. The role resistance exercise training (RT) has on skeletal muscle substrate oxidative capacity is unclear. Methods 19 males aged 蠅60 were randomized (RT=11, sedentary control=8). RT included 7 machine exercises, 1 set to failure ~8‐12 reps, 3x/week for 12 weeks. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the v. lateralis at baseline and 12 weeks. Palmitate and pyruvate oxidation, enzyme activity of 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (β‐HAD) and citrate synthase (CS) were assessed from muscle homogenates, strength from 3‐rep maximum (3RM). Results 3RM improved 75 and 74 % (P&lt;0.01) for chest and leg press with RT. No change in total fatty acid (1.23±4.76 vs. 0.64±6.74 nm CO 2 /hr) or pyruvate oxidation (150.11 ± 291.76 vs. 53.28±302.44 nm CO 2 /mg/hr, P&gt;0.05) in RT vs control respectively. β‐HAD increased (6.89±8.94 ng/mg/min, P&lt;0.05) but not CS with RT. Conclusions These results suggest that 12 weeks of RT does not change skeletal muscle oxidative capacity in older men.

  PublisherDOI

• Angiotensin II receptor blockade and skeletal muscle metabolism in overweight and obese adults with elevated blood pressure

  Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease · 2015-01-04 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: Whether angiotensin II receptor blockade improves skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation in overweight and obese humans is unknown. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that the angiotensin II receptor blocker, olmesartan, would increase fatty acid oxidation and the activity of enzymes associated with oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle of overweight and obese humans. METHODS: A total of 12 individuals (6 men and 6 women) aged 18-75 and with a body mass index ⩾25 kg/m2 were assigned to olmesartan or placebo for 8 weeks in a crossover fashion. Fatty acid oxidation was measured before and after each intervention by counting the (14)CO2 produced from [1-(14)C] palmitic acid in skeletal muscle homogenates. RESULTS: Fatty acid oxidation was not significantly different between treatment periods at baseline and post intervention. In addition, the enzyme activities of citrate synthase and β-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase in skeletal muscle homogenates did not differ between treatment periods at baseline or post intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with olmesartan for 8 weeks does not improve fatty acid oxidation or the activity of enzymes associated with oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle from overweight and obese individuals. Taken together, our results indicate that improvements in skeletal muscle metabolism are not among the additional benefits of olmesartan that extend beyond blood pressure reduction.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Early skeletal muscle adaptations to short‐term high‐fat diet in humans before changes in insulin sensitivity

  Obesity · 2015-03-27 · 35 citations

  articleOpen access1st author

  OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to understand the metabolic adaptations to a short-term (5 days), isocaloric, high-fat diet (HFD) in healthy, young males. METHODS: Two studies were undertaken with 12 subjects. Study 1 investigated the effect of the HFD on skeletal muscle substrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Study 2 assessed the metabolic and transcriptional responses in skeletal muscle to the transition from a fasted to fed state using a high-fat meal challenge before and after 5 days of the HFD. RESULTS: Study 1 showed no effect of a HFD on skeletal muscle metabolism or insulin sensitivity in fasting samples. Study 2 showed that a HFD elicits significant increases in fasting serum endotoxin and disrupts the normal postprandial excursions of serum endotoxin, as well as metabolic and transcriptional responses in skeletal muscle. These effects after 5 days of the HFD were accompanied by an altered fasting and postprandial response in the ratio of phosphorylated- to total-p38 protein. These changes all occurred in the absence of alterations in insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide evidence for early biological adaptations to high-fat feeding that proceed and possibly lead to insulin resistance.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Selective overexpression of Toll-like receptor-4 in skeletal muscle impairs metabolic adaptation to high-fat feeding

  American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · 2015-06-17 · 16 citations

  article

  Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) is elevated in skeletal muscle of obese humans, and data from our laboratory have shown that activation of TLR-4 in skeletal muscle via LPS results in decreased fatty acid oxidation (FAO). The purpose of this study was to determine whether overexpression of TLR-4 in skeletal muscle alters mitochondrial function and whole body metabolism in the context of a chow and high-fat diet. C57BL/6J mice (males, 6-8 mo of age) with skeletal muscle-specific overexpression of the TLR-4 (mTLR-4) gene were created and used for this study. Isolated mitochondria and whole muscle homogenates from rodent skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius and quadriceps) were investigated. TLR-4 overexpression resulted in a significant reduction in FAO in muscle homogenates; however, mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production did not appear to be affected on a standard chow diet. To determine the role of TLR-4 overexpression in skeletal muscle in response to high-fat feeding, mTLR-4 mice and WT control mice were fed low- and high-fat diets for 16 wk. The high-fat diet significantly decreased FAO in mTLR-4 mice, which was observed in concert with elevated body weight and fat, greater glucose intolerance, and increase in production of ROS and cellular oxidative damage compared with WT littermates. These findings suggest that TLR-4 plays an important role in the metabolic response in skeletal muscle to high-fat feeding.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Madlyn I. Frisard

  9 shared

• Matthew W. Hulver

  Virginia Tech

  9 shared

• Nabil E. Boutagy

  Yale University

  6 shared

• Ryan P. McMillan

  Virginia Tech

  6 shared

• Brenda M. Davy

  Virginia Tech

  4 shared

• Kevin P. Davy

  Virginia Tech

  4 shared

• Deborah J. Good

  Virginia Tech

  3 shared

• Eva M. Schmelz

  Virginia Tech

  3 shared

Education

• PhD, Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise

  Virginia Tech

  2013

• Bachelors in Biology and Psychology

  Pacific Lutheran University

  1997