Ali Weinstein, PhD

Image of Dr. Ali Weinstein
Titles and Organizations

Professor, Public Health
Senior Scholar, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being

Contact Information

Email: aweinst2@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-9632
Building: Peterson Hall
Room 4703

Personal Websites

Biography

Dr. Ali A. Weinstein is a Professor of Global and Community Health (GCH) and a Senior Scholar in the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. She has extensive experience conducting human biobehavioral experiments in the laboratory and field, conducts survey research, as well as a small research portfolio of qualitative research.

University Service

  • 2017 – 2018 Member, Learning Environments committee
  • 2016 – 2017 Member (elected by peers), search committee for Dean of College of Health and  Human Services
  • 2016 Member, Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award committee
  • 2015 – Present Member, Conflict of Interest committee
  • 2015 – 2016 Member, Faculty Learning Community on Well-Being
  • 2014 – Present Faculty advisor, MedX Global
  • 2013 Reviewer, Summer Research Funding Grants for tenure-track and tenured faculty
  • 2012 – 2013 Member, subcommittee on Presidential Scholar’s program (PhD scholarship program)
  • 2012 – 2016 Member, subcommittee on Faculty and Curricular activities, Quality Enhancement Program Leadership Council
  • 2011 – Present Member, University Scholars Selection committee (undergraduate scholarship program)
  • 2008 – 2011 Member, Medical Students Advisory committee

College and Department-Level Service

  • 2016 – 2017 Member, search committee for tenure/tenure-track position
  • 2016 – 2017 Member, search committee for Elizabeth Enochs endowed chair tenured position
  • 2015 – 2016 Chair, search committee for term MPH coordinator position
  • 2015 – 2016 Member, search committee for Instructional Designer specialist position
  • 2015 – 2016 Chair, College of Health and Human Services Faculty Council
  • 2014 – 2015 Member, College of Health and Human Services faculty development committee
  • 2014 – 2015 Chair, search committee for two tenure/tenure-track positions
  • 2014 Member, search committee for two term positions
  • 2013 – 2015 Faculty Advisor, Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health
  • 2013 – 2014 Member, search committee for two tenure-track positions
  • 2012 – 2013 Member, search committee for tenure-track position
  • 2011 – 2012 Member, search committee for two tenure-track positions
  • 2010 – 2011 Member, search committee for founding chair of Rehabilitation Science department
  • 2008 – Present Member, College of Health and Human Services curriculum committee
  • 2008 – 2010 Chair, College of Health and Human Services curriculum committee
  • 2007 Member, search committee for tenure-track position

International Service

  • 2017 Reviewer, Health and Behavioral International Collaborative Award
  • 2014 Reviewer, Dutch Arthritis Foundation Research Grant Program
  • 2012 Reviewer, British Heart Foundation Research Grant Program

National Service

  • 2017 – Present Chair, APA Division 38 Health Research Council
  • 2017 Reviewer, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Special Emphasis Panel (ZAA1 AA 02 1)
  • 2016 – Present Reviewer, American Psychological Foundation Visionary Grants
  • 2013 – 2017 Vice-Chair, APA Division 38 Health Research Council
  • 2011 – 2013 Secretary, APA Division 38 Health Research Council
  • 2011 – 2013 Member, APA Division 38 Early Career Professionals Council
  • 2009 – 2015 Member, American Psychosomatic Society Membership committee
  • 2007 – 2008 Member, APA Division 22 Program committee
  • 2005 – 2006 Co-Chair, Student Council of APA Division 38

Research

Research Interests

  • Fatigue 
  • Depression
  • Physical activity
  • Exercise
  • Stress reactivity
  • Chronic illness
  • Knowledge translation

Publications

* Indicates graduate or undergraduate student advisee

*Patel, D., *Koehmstedt, C., *Jones, R., *Coffey, N.T., Cai, C., Garfinkel, S., Shaewitz, D. & Weinstein, A.A. (in press). A qualitative study examining methods of accessing and identifying research relevant to clinical practice among rehabilitation clinicians. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.

Weinstein, A.A., *Koehmstedt, C., & Kop, W.J. (2017). Mental health consequences of exercise withdrawal: A systematic review. General Hospital Psychiatry, 49, 11-18.

*Spataro, C., *Afdhal, S., Weinstein, A.A., Escheik, C., Austin, P., Brodie, K., Gerber, L., & Younossi, Z.M. (2017). Fatigue and Hepatitis C: A focus group study. Qualitative Research in Medicine & Healthcare, 1, 73-79.

Weinstein, A.A., Diao, G., Baghi, H., Escheik, C., Gerber, L.H. & Younossi, Z.M. (2017). Demonstration of two types of fatigue in subjects with Chronic Liver Disease using factor analysis. Quality of Life Research, 26(7), 1777-1784.

Ad, N., Damiano Jr., R. J., Badhwar, V., Calkins, H., La Meir, M., Nitta, T., Holmes, S.D., Weinstein, A.A. & Gillinov, M. (2017). Expert consensus guidelines: Examining surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation. The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, 153(6), 1330-1354.

Weinstein, A.A., Chin, L.M.K., Collins, J., *Goel, D., Keyser, R.E. & Chan, L. (2017). Effect of aerobic exercise training on mood in people with traumatic brain injury: A pilot study. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 32(3), E49-E56.

*Coffey, N.T., *Cassese, J., Cai, C., Garfinkel, S., *Patel, D., *Jones, R., Shaewitz, D. & Weinstein, A.A.. (2017). Identifying and understanding the health information experiences and preferences of caregivers of individuals with either traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or burn injury: A qualitative investigation. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(5), e159(pages 1-10).

*Coffey, N.T., Weinstein, A.A., Cai, C., *Cassese, J., *Jones, R., Shaewitz, D, & Garfinkel, S. (2016). Identifying and understanding the health information experiences and preferences of individuals with TBI, SCI, and burn injuries. Journal of Patient Experience, 3(3), 88-95.

Gerber, L., Nava, A, Goel, D., Garfinkel, S., Weinstein, A.A. & Cai, C. (2016). A need for an augmented review when reviewing rehabilitation research. Disability and Health, 9(4), 559-566.

Parker, M.H., Campbell, S. & Weinstein, A.A. (2016). Upper extremity exercise in older breast cancer survivors: Benefits of dragon boat paddling. Current Geriatrics Reports, 5(3), 226-232.

Younossi, Z.M., Stepanova, M., Henry, L., Younossi, I., Weinstein, A.A., Nader, F., & Hunt, S. (2016). Association of work productivity with clinical and patient-reported factors in patients infected with Hepatitis C virus. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 23(8), 623-630.

Gerber, L.H., Weinstein, A.A., Frankenfeld, C.L., & Huynh, M. (2016). Disability among veterans: Analysis of the National Survey of Veterans (1997-2001). Military Medicine, 181(3), 219-226.

Gerber, L.H., Estep, M., Stepanova, M. Escheik, C., Weinstein, A.A., & Younossi, Z.M. (2016). Effects of viral eradication with Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir with or without Ribavirin, on measures of fatigue in patients with Chronic Hepatitis C virus infection. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 14(1), 156-164.

*Younossi, I., Weinstein, A.A., Stepanova, M., Hunt, S., & Younossi, Z.M. (2016). Mental and emotional impairment in patients with Hepatitis C is related to lower work productivity. Psychosomatics, 57(1), 82-88.

Weinstein, A.A., Escheik, C., Oe, B., Price, J.K., Gerber, L.H., & Younossi, Z.M. (2016). Perceptions of effort during activity in patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. PM&R, 8(1), 28-34.

Rogers, S., Richards, K.C., Davidson, M., Weinstein, A.A., & Trickey, A.W. (2015). Description of the moderate brain injured patient and predictors of discharge to rehabilitation. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 96(2), 276-282.

Mink, M., Lindley, L.L., & Weinstein, A.A. (2014). Stress, stigma, and sexual minority status: The intersectional ecology model of GLBTQ health. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 26(4), 502-521.

Loria, A., Doyle, K., Weinstein, A.A., Winter, P., Escheik, C., Price, J., Wang, L., Birerdinc, A., Baranova, A., Gerber, L., & Younossi, Z.M. (2014). Multiple factors predict physical performance in people with Chronic Liver Disease. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 93(6), 470-476.

Talbot, L.A., Metter, E.J., Fleg, J.L., Weinstein, A.A., & Frick, K.D. (2013). Cost effectiveness of two army physical fitness programs. Military Medicine, 178(12) 1353-1357.

Weinstein, A.A., *Termini, A., Kazman, J.B., Zeno, S.A., Abraham, P., & Deuster, P.A. (2013). Racial provocation induces cortisol responses in African-Americans. Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 2, 151-157.

Weinstein, A.A., Chin, L.M.K., Keyser, R.E., Kennedy, M., Nathan, S.D., Woolstenhulme, J., Connors, G. & Chan, L. (2013). Effect of aerobic exercise training on fatigue and physical activity in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Respiratory Medicine, 107, 778-784.

Chan, L., Chin, L.M.K., Kennedy, M., Woostenhulme, J., Nathan, S.D., Weinstein, A.A., Connors, G., Weir, N., Drinkard, B., Lamberti, J. & Keyser, R. (2013). Benefits of intensive treadmill exercise training on cardiorespiratory function and quality of life in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Chest, 143(2), 333-343.

Weinstein, A.A. (2012). Exercise as an intervention depends on both clinician and patient acceptance. Physical Therapy Reviews, 17(2), 136-137.

Weinstein, A.A., Abraham, P., Diao, G., Zeno, S.A., & Deuster, P.A. (2011). Relationship between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease risk factors in African American individuals. Depression Research and Treatment, Article ID 836542, 6 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/836542.

Talbot, L.A., Metter, E.J., Morrell, C.H., Frick, K.D., Weinstein, A.A., & Fleg, J.L. (2011). A pedometer-based intervention to improve physical activity, fitness and coronary heart disease risk in National Guard personnel. Military Medicine, 176(5), 592-600.

Weinstein, A.A., Kallman, J., Stepanova, M., *Poms, L.W., Fang, Y., Juhi, M., Fatema, N., & Younossi, Z.M. (2011). Depression in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and chronic viral Hepatitis B and C. Psychosomatics, 52(2), 127-132.

Weinstein, A.A., Deuster, P.A., Francis, J.L., Bonsall, R.W., Tracy, R.P., & Kop, W.J. (2010). Neurohormonal and inflammatory hyper-responsiveness to acute mental stress in depression. Biological Psychology, 84(2), 228-234.

Weinstein, A.A., Deuster, P.A., Beadling, C., Francis, J.L., & Kop, W.J. (2010). The role of depression in short-term mood and fatigue responses to acute exercise. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 17(1), 51-57.

Francis, J.L, Weinstein, A.A., Krantz, D.S., Haigney, M., Stein, P.K., Gottdiener, J., & Kop, W.J. (2009). Association between symptoms of depression and anxiety with heart rate variability in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(8), 821-827.

Deuster, P.A., Weinstein, A.A., Sobel, A., & Young, A.J. (2009). Warfighter nutrition: Advanced technologies and opportunities, report from a DoD workshop. Military Medicine, 174(7), 671-677.

Weinstein, A.A., Drinkard, B.M., Diao, G., Furst, G., Dale, J.K., Straus, S.E. & Gerber, L.H. (2009). Exploratory analysis of the relationships between aerobic capacity and self-reported fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, and chronic fatigue syndrome. PM&R, 1(7), 620-628.

Talbot, L.A., Weinstein, A.A., & Fleg, J.L. (2009). Army physical fitness test scores predict cardiovascular disease risk in Army national guard soldiers. Military Medicine, 174(3), 245-252.

Kop, W.J., Weinstein, A.A., Deuster, P.A., Whitaker, K., & Tracy, R.P. (2008). Inflammatory markers and negative mood symptoms following exercise withdrawal. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 22(8), 1190-1196.

Weinstein, A.A., Deuster, P.A., & Kop, W.J. (2007). Heart rate variability as a predictor of negative mood symptoms induced by exercise withdrawal. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 39(4), 735-741.

Berlin, A.A., Kop, W.J., & Deuster, P.A. (2006). Depressive mood symptoms and fatigue following exercise withdrawal: The potential role of decreased fitness. Psychosomatic Medicine, 68(2), 224-230.

Kop, W.J., Lyden, A., Berlin, A.A., Ambrose, K., Olsen, C., Gracely, R.H., Williams, D.A., & Clauw, D.J. (2005). Ambulatory monitoring of physical activity and symptoms in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 52(1), 296-303.

Berlin, A.A. (2004). Book review: Clinical Exercise Physiology. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 14(2), 161-162.

Book Chapters

Gerber, L.H. & Weinstein, A.A., (in press). Cancer-related fatigue. In M.D. Stubblefield & M. O’Dell (eds.). Cancer Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice of Cancer Rehabilitation (2nd ed). Demos Medical Publishing: New York, NY.

Gerber, L.H., Weinstein, A.A., & Pawloski, L. (2014). Role of exercise in optimizing the functional status of patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. In Z.M. Younossi & N. Gitlin (eds.). Clinics in Liver Disease: The Impact of Obesity and Nutrition on Chronic Liver Diseases, 18(1), 113-127.

Weinstein, A.A., *Lydick, S.E., *Biswabharati, S. (2014). Exercise and its relationship to psychological health and well-being. In Gomes, R., Resende, R., & Albuquerque, A. (eds.). Positive Human Functioning from a Multidimensional Perspective, Volume 2: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles. Nova Science Publishers, Inc.: Hauppauge, NY, 147-166.

Kop, W.J., Weinstein, A.A. (2007). C-reactive protein. In Fink, G. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Stress (2nd ed). Academic Press: Oxford. 653-658.

Kop, W.J., Berlin, A.A., & Stretch, M. (2004). Coronary Heart Disease: Risk Factors and Biobehavioral Mechanisms. In Christensen, A.J., Martin, R., & Smythe, J.M. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Health Psychology. Kluwer/Plenum: New York. 70-74.

Grants

2017-2020 Principal Investigator: Clinical Research Education. Inova Health Care
Total direct costs: $90,000

2016-2021 Principal Investigator, Subcontract: American Institutes for Research (National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR)) "Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center"
Total direct costs: ~$40,000

2014-2015 Co-Investigator: Effect of Prescribed Aerobic Exercise vs. Self-Selected Activity in Treatment of Breast Cancer-Related Fatigue. PNC Charitable Trust Grant #115058
Total direct costs: $52,221

2014-2017 Principal Investigator: Clinical Research Education. Inova Health Care
Total direct costs: $90,000

2013 Principal Investigator: Comparison between Peripheral and Central Fatigue in Women with Breast Cancer. Mason Summer Research Funding for Tenure-Track Faculty
Total direct costs: $4,500

2012-2014 Principal Investigator: Comparison between Peripheral and Central Fatigue in Women with Breast Cancer. PNC Charitable Trust Grant #112881
Total direct costs: $50,000

2011-2016 Co-Investigator, Subcontract: American Institutes for Research (Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research) "Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center" #H133A110004 (00851-03127)
Total direct costs: ~$400,000

2010-2013 Principal Investigator: Cardiovascular Reactivity to Mental Stress in Coronary Artery Bypass and Maze Surgery Patients. Mason-Inova Life Sciences Research Collaboration Fund Grant #221908
Total direct costs: $49,506

2010-2012 Principal Investigator: A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of the BrainPort™ Balance Device When Used to Improve Postural Control in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Henry M. Jackson Foundation Grant #109464
Total direct costs: $229,167 ($48,947 to Mason)

2008-2009 Co-Principal Investigator, Subcontract: Economic Systems, Inc. VA Contract "Evaluation Study of VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program" #090202-VRE0810 (October 2008-December 2009)
Total direct costs: $122,008

2008 Co-Investigator, Subcontract: Economic Systems, Inc. VA Contract "A Study of Compensation Payments for Service-Connected Disability: Issue of Work Related Disability and Function" #080305 (April-July 2008)
Total direct costs: $50,456

2005 – 2007 Principal Investigator: Biobehavioral Correlates of Depression in Reaction to Mental and Physical Challenge. USUHS Grant #T072HO
Total direct costs: $5,000

Honors and Awards

 

  • Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, 2017-2018, American Psychological Association
  • Mentoring Excellence Award, 2017, Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research, George Mason University
  • University Teaching Excellence Award, 2016, George Mason University
  • Certificate of Merit, Abstract, 2016, 8th Biennial Cancer Survivorship Research conference
  • Master Teacher Award (Senior Faculty), 2015, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University
  • Presidential Poster of Distinction, 2014, Association for the Study of Liver Diseases annual conference
  • President, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, 2012-Present, George Mason University
  • Habit of Excellence Award, 2011, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University
  • Fellowship in Medical Sciences, 2006-2007, Henry M. Jackson Foundation
  • Citation poster, 2006, American Psychosomatic Society annual conference
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, 2001, Phi Kappa Phi
  • Psi Chi Honor Society, 1997, Psi Chi