PhD
Professor, Epidemiology
UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Epidemiology
Area of Interest
- Heart Disease and Stroke
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Obesity
The research of Kelly Evenson, PhD, focuses on physical activity and sedentary behavior, with specific interests in measurement, surveillance, intervention, and associations with outcomes. Evenson also conducts research to identify and evaluate policies and environments that support physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior. With an interest in physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum, and the recommendations associated with these behaviors, she participated on several national and international committees to update communication to women and facilitate research in this area. She has served as a resource for physical activity measurement for several large cohort studies, consulted on the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, and led the early evaluation of the National Physical Activity Plan. She is a fellow with the American College of Sports Medicine and volunteers on editorial boards for several journals.
Awards and Honors
- Highly Cited Researchers (Top 1%), Web of Science, Clarivate Analytics, 2022
News and Stories

UNC Lineberger faculty recognized as world’s most highly cited researchers
Twelve UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center members were named to Clarivate’s 2022 Highly Cited Researchers list.

UNC Lineberger faculty recognized as being among the world’s most influential researchers
Fifteen UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center members were named as 2021 Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate for publishing some of the most influential scientific papers during the past decade.