Keegan Peterson, PhD, MPH, is a cancer prevention fellow in the Health Behaviors Research Branch (HBRB) of the Behavioral Research Program.
Dr. Peterson’s scientific interests are in health promotion across the cancer control continuum, specifically exploring how health-related lifestyle behaviors, social contexts, and environmental factors are associated with cancer risk, treatment outcomes, and survivorship.
Dr. Peterson earned his PhD in Kinesiology from Penn State University where his dissertation examined the effect of physical activity and other health-related behaviors on mental and physical health outcomes among underserved populations. He also earned a Master of Public Health degree in Community and Behavioral Health from Penn State College of Medicine. Prior to graduate school he received a B.S. in Biobehavioral Health from Penn State.
Scientific Interests:
- Physical Activity
- Behavioral Phenotypes
- Cancer Risk and Outcomes
- Cancer Survivorship
Publications:
- Peterson KT, Bopp M. Lifestyle Behavior Patterns and Socio-Demographic Predictors Among US College Students: Implications for Chronic Condition Risk and Public Health Interventions. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/15598276251357526
- Peterson, KT, Barraco, G, Rodgers, M, Niessner, J, & Bopp, M. (2025). Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Associated with Physical Fitness and Activity Levels: An Exploratory Study of US College Students. International journal of exercise science, 18(8), 379–393. doi:10.70252/TWIX6855
- Bopp, M, Elliott, LD, Peterson, KT, Duffey, M, & Wilson, OWA. (2024). Domain matters: An examination of college student physical activity participation patterns by gender and race/ethnicity. Journal of American College Health, 73(5), 1921–1929. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2362317