January 2025

Getting to Know Bonny Rockette-Wagner: PaTH’s New Research Readiness Coordinator

As part of PCORnet® 4.0, PCORnet has introduced the role of a Research Readiness Coordinator within each of the Clinical Research Networks. We are thrilled to officially welcome Dr. Bonny Rockette-Wagner into that role here at PaTH! Over the past year, Bonny has been a valued member of the PaTH team, contributing her expertise and insight.

Tell us about yourself! What is your research background and what drew you to lifestyle interventions?
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh. I have degrees in anthropology and epidemiology and worked for the Cultural Resource Management Department of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona doing archaeological research before getting my degree in epidemiology. Honestly, I have had a lifelong interest in research and did many little research projects as a kid, mostly on historic events or people. My interest in lifestyle interventions probably stems from both my own experience and noticing how much physical activity benefits me in my daily life. I also witnessed the devastating effects of high type 2 diabetes rates among the tribes that live on the Gila and that prompted me to want to get involved with finding a solution to the increasing diabetes rates and other health issues that could be improved through healthy lifestyle.

How did you get involved with PaTH?
I worked with Kathleen McTigue [PaTH contact PI] analyzing physical activity data on the Pittsburgh Girls study (we published an interesting paper on those results) and I have always really been interested in patient involvement and patient centered research. I also think that working with health record data is newer to many epidemiologists and this work makes me expand my thinking about analyzing data. I think that it is a good thing to always be expanding and growing as a researcher.

What is your current role in PaTH?
For the last 18 months I have been working with PaTH as the Director of Research. I work closely with study investigators and the outstanding PaTH Management team to try to ensure that our research infrastructure is efficient and that studies working with PaTH are positioned for success.

What are your goals for PaTH for PCORnet® 4.0?
I will be adding new responsibilities to my role as the Research Readiness Coordinator. I am excited to help develop out this role with the other networks' Research Readiness Coordinators. I hope to oversee improvements in communications with PCORnet and the other networks, our internal processes, and develop some really nice materials to support incoming researcher proposals and our PaTH site teams.

What changes are you most excited about for PCORnet® 4.0?
I am very excited about the organization and effort around research readiness. I think this will really benefit PaTH and PCORnet and I am looking forward to working with coordinators in the other networks.

What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy your free time?
I love spending time with my family and my dogs. I am an avid gardener, it is a good mix of science and leisure, and I find it very relaxing. It is also satisfying to grow some of your own food and gets me to eat more veggies and I love sharing my extras with friends and family! Now that my kids are adults, I am looking forward to camping and travelling more.

Thank you, Bonny, for sitting down with us for this interview. We certainly share your enthusiasm for the years ahead and look forward to all that you will bring to this role!

«—- Back To News