• Movement For lIfe Lab Group exercise class picture
Movement for life lab logo

About our lab

Our lab is focused on understanding and testing factors that increase motivation for movement. We use behavioral science to create interventions for individuals that might have difficulties starting and sticking with exercise and physical activity. We primarily focus on interventions for people with Parkinson disease as well as underserved populations (Latinx/Hispanic).

Donations

You can make a donation to our lab at the UConn Foundation website if you would like to support our research for people with Parkinson’s disease. Any questions please reach out to Erin McMahon at the UConn Foundation emcmahon@foundation.uconn.edu

Interested in joining the Movement for Life Lab?

Learn more about working for the Lab here!

Lab Vision & Mission

Movement for Life Lab

Vision: Empowering movement for all, for life.

Mission: To empower and motivate individuals, families, and populations to be physically active.

Research goals:

  1. Improve physical activity levels of people with PD
  2. Reduce healthcare disparities for people with PD from underrepresented groups
  3. Understand essential components of interventions (at the individual, interpersonal, community, & societal levels) to maximize motivation for physical activity
    https://events.uconn.edu/live/json/v2/events/response_fields/location,summary/date_format/%25F%20%25j,%20%25Y/group/College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources/max/4/start_date/today/end_date/6 months/
  • Jan
    29
    Exhibition Opening Reception
    The Benton Museum of Art
    4:30 PM

News

  • Parkinson’s Moving Day
    On October 18th, 2025 Dr.Colón-Semenza and the Movement for Life Lab had the pleasure of attending the annual Parkinson's Foundation Moving day in New Britain, CT. For the uninitiated, Moving day is a fundraising walk that gathers individuals and families from various communities in support of those living with Parkinson's disease. The Movement for Life […]
  • UConn DPT White Coat Ceremony
    Earlier this year, the University of Connecticut’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program celebrated a major milestone with its annual White Coat Ceremony for the  Class of 2026. This meaningful tradition, widely observed across medical and health professions, marks the transition from classroom learning to hands-on clinical practice. It’s a moment that symbolizes both responsibility […]