Introducing our Fellows:

Dr. Leah E. Robinson
Professor,
University of Michigan 

"Advancing Children’s Health Through Movement"

Dr. Leah Robinson, Professor of Movement Science at the University of Michigan and Founding Member of the I-MDRC. Dr. Robinson leads with a simple but powerful question: How do early movement experiences shape the course of a child’s development?

 

As Director of the Child Movement, Activity, and Developmental Health (CMAH) Laboratory, Dr. Robinson’s work bridges motor development, physical activity, and pediatric health. Her approach is developmental at its core, focusing not just on what children can do, but also on how and why motor skills evolve in real-world contexts.

 

Across community-based interventions and school-based programs, her research has examines how motor competence supports physical, behavioral, and emotional well-being in children, particularly those from underserved communities. Her team’s projects (such as CHAMP and PATH) reflect a deep commitment to translational research that is both methodologically rigorous and socially relevant.

 

Perhaps what stands out most is the way Dr. Robinson’s work consistently centers children, not just as subjects of study, but as whole individuals navigating the early foundations of lifelong health. Whether it’s understanding perceived competence, exploring the role of self-regulation, or designing skill-based programs that meet kids where they are, her work reflects the I-MDRC’s shared belief: movement matters early, and it matters deeply.

 

Dr. Robinson also plays an active role in mentoring emerging scholars, shaping training programs at the University of Michigan, and contributing to scientific communities like ACSM, NASPSPA, and I-MDRC.

 

In her own words, motor development isn’t just a field of study; it’s a lever for equity, engagement, and lifelong opportunity. We’re proud to feature her this month and grateful for the leadership and insight she brings to our community.