Justin McDermott, Truman State University, MO

Justin McDermott, a junior at Truman State University, is actively involved in health education and awareness nationwide.  He has lobbied on behalf of the CDC and serves as the state-wide representative for Campus-Community Alliances for Smoke-Free Environments.  He teaches workshops to youth in juvenile lock-up, at pregnancy care centers and at the Latino Youth Action Center.  He also teaches smoking cessation classes and is a certified Arthritis Foundation Exercise Instructor.  His community-based research focuses on local tobacco control initiatives, improving area youth’s health promotion behaviors, analyzing the learning climate in local schools, and increasing diabetes management of area seniors.