PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09), Biographical Sketch Format Page

Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): MacDonald, Megan, I

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

NAME POSITION TITLE Megan MacDonald Assistant Professor eRA COMMONS USER NAME MACDONALM EDUCATION/TRAINING

INSTITUTION AND LOCATION DEGREE MM/YY FIELD OF STUDY

Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, Canada BKIH 05/02 Kinesiology

Adapted Physical Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium MAPA 07/03 Activity

Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada BEd 07/06 Education

Adapted Physical University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA PhD 08/11 Activity

A. Personal Statement This project matches my long-term career goal to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, and to become a leader in the evidence-based practice of adapted physical activity for individuals with developmental disabilities. I have a strong background in adapted physical activity research; more specifically my work has focused on relations between aspects of physical development and aspects of social- emotional development in children with disabilities. In October 2014, the first White House Summit & Research Forum on Improved Health & Fitness for Americans with Disabilities was held. This forum made it clear that inter-agency efforts for the health of individuals with disabilities needs to be a priority. In addition, the critical need for novel therapies aimed at improving the health of American’s with disabilities was reinforced. Based on the project described in this proposal, I will identify aspects of physical activity and quality of life most salient to caregivers, who are a primary resource for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Explaining how aspects of physical and social-emotional development change over time with the use of interventions is a critical step towards achieving optimal health for individuals living with a disability and their caregivers. My role in this project will include collaborating with known autism support groups, and all aspects of data collection and data analysis. In addition, I have successfully administered (e.g. staffing, research approval and budgets) grants, and I have worked with the PI and Co-I on this project. I have the expertise, training and leadership to be a valuable Co-Investigator on the proposed research project.

B. Positions and Honors Positions & Employment 2001- 2002 Teaching Assistant. School of Recreation Management & Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville NS 2001-2002 Student Director, S.M.I.L.E (Sensory, Motor, Instructional, Leadership, Experience) Program, School of Recreation Management & Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville NS 2003-2004 Youth & Sport Development Officer, Lesotho National Olympic Committee & Commonwealth Games Association of Canada, Lesotho Africa

PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09) Page Biographical Sketch Format Page Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): MacDonald, Megan, I 2004-2005 Provincial Athlete Empowerment Coordinator, Area Coordinator- Toronto, Special Olympics Ontario, Toronto ON 2006-2007 Director, S.M.I.L.E (Sensory, Motor, Instructional, Leadership, Experience), School of Recreation Management & Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville NS 2006-2007 Lecturer, School of Recreation Management & Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville NS 2007-2011 Graduate Student Research Assistant, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 2009 Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 2011- Assistant Professor (tenure-track), College of Public Health & Human Sciences, Exercise & Sport Science Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis OR 2014- Consultant- Subject Matter Expert, Relias Learning, Cary, NC

Honors & Awards 2002 Dr. Hugh A Noble Award in Kinesiology, Acadia University, Wolfville NS 2008 Rackham Travel Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 2010 Rackham Travel Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor,MI 2010 Rackham International Travel Grant, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 2010- Member- American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) 2010 Stan Kemp Award, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI 2010 APAC’s Outstanding Doctoral Student, Adapted Physical Activity Council of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education & Dance, Indianapolis IN 2010 Student Research Awards Program Recipient, Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Michigan Foundation, Detroit MI 2014 Invited participant- White House Summit & Research Forum on Improved Health & Fitness for Americans with disabilities

C. Selected Peer-reviewed Publications 1. MacDonald, M., Esposito, P. & Ulrich, D. (2011). Physical Activity Patterns in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. BMC Research Notes. 4(422). doi:10.1186/1756-0500-4-422, http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/4/422. 2. MacDonald, M., Jaszewski, C., Esposito, P., & Ulrich, D. (2011). The effect of learning an age- appropriate motor behavior on the social development of youth with autism spectrum disorder. Paleastra, 25(4), 37-42. 3. Esposito, P., MacDonald, M., Hornyak, J. & Ulrich, D. (2012). Physical Activity Patterns in Youth with Down Syndrome. Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.50(2), 109-119. Doi: 10.1352/1934-9556- 50.2.109. 4. MacDonald, M., Esposito, P., Hauck, J., Jeong, I., Hornyak, J., Argento, A. & Ulrich, D. (2012). Successful Bicycle Training for Youths with Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. 27(1), 12-21. Doi: 10.1177/1088357611428333. 5. Staples, K., MacDonald, M., & Zimmer, C. (2012). Assessment of motor behavior among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. International Review of Research in Developmental Disabilities. 42, 179- 214. Doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-394284-5.00007-3. 6. Lloyd, M., MacDonald, M & Lord, C. (2013). Motor Skills of Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice. 17(2), 133-146. Doi: 10.1177/1362351311402230. PMCID: PMC3188325. 7. MacDonald, M., Lord, C. & Ulrich, D. (2013). The relationship of motor skills and social communicative in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. Adapted physical activity quarterly, 30(3), 271- 282. PMID: 23860508. 8. MacDonald, M., Lord, C. & Ulrich, D. (2013). The relationship of motor skills and adaptive behavior skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder. Research in autism spectrum disorders. 7(11), 1383- 1390. Doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2013.07.020. 9. MacDonald, M., Lord, C. & Ulrich, D. (2014). Motor skills and calibrated autism severity in young children PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09) Page Biographical Sketch Format Page Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): MacDonald, Megan, I with autism spectrum disorder. Adapted physical activity quarterly. 10. Tyler, K., MacDonald, M., & Menear, K. (2014). Physical activity and physical fitness of school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research & Treatment. 2014(2014), 6. Doi: 10.1155/2014/312163 11. Tyler, K., Cook, N., & MacDonald, M. (2014). Physical activity and children with disabilities: Viable resources available for community health professionals. Paleastra. 28(4), 17-22. 12. MacDonald, M., Cook, N. & Ulrich, D. (in press). Teaching two-wheeled bicycle riding to children with autism at home using behavior modification strategies. Paleastra

D. Research Support

Ongoing Research Support

Oregon State University Division of Health Sciences Grant Baltzer (PI) 08/01/2013 – 02/27/2015 Animal assisted adapted physical activity for children with CP and their family dogs. Examine the developmental benefits of an animal assisted adapted physical activity program for children with cerebral palsy between the ages of 5- 15 years old. Role: Co-Investigator

Erkkila Endowment for Health and Human Performance MacDonald(PI) 05/01/2013- 06/30/2015 Influence of physical activity health promotion on people with a disability Examine the physical activity and health related change following the implementation of a health promotion program for individuals with disabilities. Role: Principal Investigator

Training/ Continuing Education US Department of Eduction Yun (PI) 09/01/2013- 08/31/2018 Preparing quality personnel in adapted physical education (H325K130302) This personnel training grant will train adapted phyiscal educators in the state of Oregon and beyond througho ut the granting period. Role: Project Coordinator

Lebanon Community Schools MacDonald (PI) 09/16/2014- 06/16/2015 APE consulting services to the Lebanon Community School from OSU MSD program This grant provides consulting services to the Leganon Community Schools and provides tuition and training fo r an adapted physical activity graduate student. Role: Principal Investigator

Completed Research Support

Oregon State University General Research Fund MacDonald (PI) 01/01/2013 – 08/01/2014 The physical fitness of school-aged children with autism. Examine the physical fitness of school-aged children with autism between the ages of 9- 18 years and compare physical activity and motor skills to their age-match peers without autism. Role: Principal Investigator

Oregon State University Hallie Ford Center Grant MacDonald (Co-PI) 04/01/2012 – 03/30/2013 Flame retardants and home environment on children’s school readiness Initiate an epidemiological study that examines the association between early childhood exposure to flame retardants in home environments and aspects of neurological, cognitive & social development that are correlated with school performance. Role: Principal Investigator

Oregon State University EHS Center Pilot Grant Beckman (PI) 04/01/2012 – 03/30/2013 Flame retardants and home environment on children’s school readiness (P30 ES000210) PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09) Page Biographical Sketch Format Page Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): MacDonald, Megan, I Initiate an epidemiological study that examines the association between early childhood exposure to flame retardants in home environments and aspects of neurological, cognitive & social development that are correlated with school performance. Role: Principal Investigator

Oregon State University EHS Center Pilot Grant Beckman (PI) 01/01/2012 – 03/30/2012 Early childhood exposure to PBDEs and school readiness in children aged 3-5 (P30 ES000210) Initiate an epidemiological study that examines the association between early childhood exposure to flame retardants in home environments and aspects of neurological and cognitive development that are correlated with school performance. Role: Principal Investigator

Rackham Graduate School Research Grant MacDonald (PI) 2010- 2011 The impact of motor skills on the social success of school-aged children with autism Role: Principal Investigator

PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09) Page Biographical Sketch Format Page