Tao Zhang

Dr. Tao Zhang is a full professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation at the University of North Texas (UNT) where he serves as Interim Department Chair and Pediatric Movement & Physical Activity Laboratory Director. Dr. Zhang has made more than 190 research presentations at international, national, and state conferences, published over 100 refereed research articles and book chapters, authored about 120 peer-reviewed research abstracts and conference papers, and awarded multiple research grant projects from federal agencies and research foundations as a Project Director/Principal Investigator, such as Project MOVE (Minority Obesity Vanquished with Education) and Project HSHL (Head Start to Healthy Lifestyles) funded by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Department of Agriculture, respectively. His research focuses on supportive physical activity environments, achievement motivation, motor skill, physical activity and health promotion in children and families from pedagogical, psychological, and behavioral perspectives. Dr. Zhang is currently the Fellow of Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) Research Council (RFSA), the Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM), the Fellow of American Kinesiology Association Leadership Institute, the Fellow of North American Society (FNAS) of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Professionals, and the Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology (FNAK #666), the highest academic honor in the field.

Since 2010, he has already mentored both undergraduate and doctoral students who have received over 30 state, national, and international awards for their research. Dr. Zhang has been a reviewer for over 20 scholarly journals. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, and Editorial Board Members for multiple leading journals such as Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, and International Journal of Physical Activity and Health. He served as a Research Grant Review Chair for SHAPE America. He has also served on several committees of professional organizations (SHAPE America [Southern District Leadership Council President], Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance [Vice President]), Society of Behavioral Medicine [Population Health Sciences SIG Chair], and International Chinese Society for Physical Activities and Health [President]. Dr. Zhang won the Mabel Lee Award from SHAPE America in 2013, earned the Mentor of the Year Award from SHAPE America in 2017, won the Joy of Effort Award from SHAPE America in 2020, earned the Curriculum and Instruction Honor Award from SHAPE America in 2022. At UNT, Dr. Zhang won the Toulouse Scholar Award in 2022, earned the College of Education’s Faculty Research Excellence Award in 2023, and the Bob Rogers Service and Community Engagement Award in 2024, respectively.

Education:

Ph.D., 2009, Louisiana State University