Colleen M. Peterson

Assistant Research Scientist

A social behavioral epidemiologist by training, Dr. Peterson applies advanced population-level analysis and mixed methods approaches to examine issues of safety and mobility throughout the life course. This and her background in behavioral theory has been fundamental to the development of wholistic approaches to understanding of driving behavior and evaluating interventions. The goal of her research is to reduce speeding behaviors and increase life-long, equitable mobility through development, evaluation, and promotion of effective interventions and evidence-based policy.

Expertise: Social and behavioral epidemiology, social determinants of health, qualitative and mixed methods, speeding, aging driving needs, caregiving technology solutions, dementia caregiving, driving cessation, intervention development and evaluation, teen driving, distracted driving, mindfulness and driving 

Let’s Connect

email

cmpete@umich.edu

Phone

(734) 764-6504

Location

UMTRI

2901 Baxter Rd. Rm 223

Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Primary Website

Dr. Peterson’s Website

Additional Information

Education

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN USA, 2020-2021. Families and Long-Term Care Projects, Center on Health Aging and Innovation, Division of Health and Policy Management, School of Public Health.
  • Doctor of Philosophy (Awarded June 30, 2020) University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2014-2020. Epidemiology – Division of epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health.
  • Master of Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA Behavioral and Social Sciences Intervention, School of Public Health.
  • Bachelor of Arts with General Honors, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA Psychology with Honors – Department of Psychology

Service

  • Minneapolis Automated Enforcement Study Technical Advisory Committee Member, 2020
  • Life Course Center, an NIA Center on the Demography and Economics of Aging, Member, 2020-Present
  • Dementia-Friendly Airports Working Group Co-Chair, 2018-Present:
  • Navigating Air Travel as Persons with Dementia Project Survey Academic Lead
  • Mobility for Minnesota’ Aging Persons Consortium, 2019-2021:
  • Dementia and Driving MN Initiative Advisory Group Member
  • Needs Assessment Project Expert Consultant
  • Minnesota State Legislature’s Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group, 2018:
  • Assessment of Trends and Disparities Committee Expert Consultant

Awards and Service

  • J.B. Hawley Student Research Award, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota [UMN], 2019
  • Minnesota Gerontological Society Higher Education Student Award, 2019
  • John S. Adams Award for Excellence in Transportation Research and Education, UMN Center for Transportation Studies, 2019
  • Student Travel Award for the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, UMN Center for Transportation Studies, 2016 & 2017

Key Projects

Publications