University of Missouri-Kansas city

About

Dr. Amanda Grimes joined SONHS faculty in 2013 teaching in the Bachelor of Health Sciences program and began a tenure-track position in 2018.  Dr. Grimes’s research focuses on active transportation and the health and social influences associated with physical activity across demographic groups. Her research has included collaborative efforts to implement and evaluate projects that engage diverse populations including minority and low-income populations, children, families, college students, older adults, and homeless populations, using a multiplicity of methods and research designs. In addition, she has developed interdisciplinary partnerships and collaborative research to evaluate bicycling interventions and improve physical activity data collection techniques.  Other research interests include social isolation and fall prevention in older adults.  This work has resulted in publications, national presentations, and most importantly, tangible improvements to public health. Dr. Grimes also serves on the board of BikeWalkKC since 2014 and is currently serving as an University of Missouri System Presidential Engagement Fellow.

Publications

Steel, C., Crist, K., Grimes, A., Bejarano, C., Ortega, A., Hibbing, P. R., Schipperijn, J., & Carlson, J. A. (in press). Validity of a GPS-based algorithm and consumer wearables for classifying active trips in children and adults. Journal for the Measurement of Physical Behaviour.

Dean, D., Lightner, J., Grimes, A., Besenyi, G., Eighmy, K. (2021). Associations of environmental factors and physical activity behaviors: A photo analysis. Lucerna. [Accepted for publication]

Grimes, A., Subramaniam, D.P., Lightner, J. (2020). Misconceptions about Biking and Driving: Drivers understanding of Missouri bicycle laws. Journal of Transport and Health, 21 (June).

Grimes, A., & Smirnova, M. (2020). Perspectives on an Earn-a-Bike Intervention on Transportation, Health and Self- Esteem among Men Experiencing Homelessness. Journal of Transport and Health, 18 (September).

Grimes, A., & Baker, M. (2020). The Effects of a Citywide Bike Share System on Active Transportation among College Students: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. Health Education & Behavior, 47(3).

Carlson, J.A., Steel, C., Bejarano, C., Grimes, A., Shook, R.P., Reddy, A., Green, M., Morefield, T., Steele, L., Campbell, K., & Rogers, E. (2020). Impacts of an earn-a-bike cycling education program on children’s time spent cycling. Journal of Transport & Health, 16 (March).

Grimes, A., Chrisman, M., & Lightner, J. (2020). Barriers and motivators of bicycling by gender among older adult bicyclists in the Midwest. Journal of Health Education & Behavior, 47(1).

Carlson, J.A., Grimes, A., Green, M., Morefield, T., Steel, C., Reddy, A., Bejarano, C., Shook, R.P., Moore, T., Steele, L., Campbell, K., & Rogers, E. (2019). Impacts of temporary pedestrian streetscape improvements on pedestrian and vehicle activity and community perceptions. Journal of Transport and Health, 15 (Dec).

Esslinger, K., Grimes, A., & Pyle, E. (2016). Effects of Requiring Physical Fitness in a Lecture-Base College Course; Students Attitudes Towards Physical Activity. The Physical Educator, 73 (1).

Dixon, D. L., Esslinger, K., Yen, W. J., & Grimes, A. (2015). Body Image Perception and Body Dissatisfaction Gender Differences. KAHPERD Journal, 53 (1)

Funding

• Our Healthy Kansas City Eastiside – Jackson County – PI: Jannette Berkley-Patton, Co-I: Amanda Grimes, $5,000,000
• Central Connections – KC Healthy Kids – Co-PI: Amanda Grimes & Laura Steele, $1,000
• Central to Central – UMKC Health Equity Institute – Co-PI: Amanda Grimes, Robin Shook, & Laura Steele, $2,000
• Youth Engagement in Sports – HHS (Women’s Health & Minority Health) – Co-PI: Amanda Grimes & Joey Lightner, $791,110
• The impacts of earned bikes among low-income individuals in Cape Town, South Africa – University of Missouri South African Education Program (UMSAEP), PI- A Grimes, $7,500
• The Effects of Earn-a-Bike among Homeless Men – Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; University of Missouri-Kansas City, PI- A Grimes, $500

Faculty Sponsored Student Funding

• Relationship Between Self-Reported Balance and Self-Reported Physical Activity in Older Adults – UMKC SUROP – Student Investigator: Maya Baughn, $1250
• A Citywide Bike Share System Station on UMKC Campus and the Health Impacts on University Students. Project ADVANCER – Academic Development Via Applied and Cutting-Edge Research for UMKC undergraduate and professional students from underrepresented minorities Program - Student Investigator: Michele Baker, $9,960