graphic of cec core

About 

The charge of the AppalTRUST Career Enhancement Core (CEC) is to create a transformative environment that provides mentored, multidisciplinary, and immersive career enhancement experiences to expand the pool of talented Tobacco Regulatory Science (TRS) scholars, with a critical emphasis on the impact of FDA regulatory policies in rural communities.  

The CEC serves as the hub within AppalTRUST to promote and support the career development of new and early-stage investigators through our Scholars program. The CEC provides and connects investigators with immersive research experiences, TRS enrichment activities, mentorship, and professional networking opportunities. 

Aim One

Provide hands-on research experience in Tobacco Regulatory Science (TRS)​.

Aim Two

Deliver personalized mentoring and other career enhancement experiences.​

Aim Three

Enable cross TCORS collaboration.

Dr. Ickes in a pink blouse outside in the sun

Melinda Ickes, PhD


Positions Held:
  • CEC Core Leader, AppalTRUST
  • Assistant Dean of Research
  • Professor, Kinesiology and Health Promotion
Dr. Mattingly in a blazer posed inside a university building.

Delvon Mattingly, PhD


Positions Held:
  • CEC Co-Leader, AppalTRUST
  • Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Jaspreet smiling at camera in a brown knit sweater with burnt orange scarf

Jaspreet Chahal, MA, MSCJ


Positions Held:
  • Research Project Manager, CEC
Dr. Shorey Fennell

Bethany Shorey Fennell, PhD


Positions Held:
  • Scholar, AppalTRUST
  • Assistant Professor, Family and Community Medicine
Dr. Feizy smiling at camera with a blue sweater and a coffeeshop in the background

Saber Feizy, PhD


Positions Held:
  • Scholar, AppalTRUST
  • Post-Doctoral Scholar, Center for Health, Engagement, and Transformation (CHET)
Dr. Jayawardhana smiling at the camera with a red blouse and gray portrait background

Jayani Jayawardhana, PhD


Positions Held:
  • Scholar, AppalTRUST
  • Associate Professor, Department of Health Management and Policy
  • Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science
Dr. Middleton smiling at the camera with grass and tree background

William Middleton, PhD


Positions Held:
  • Scholar, AppalTRUST
  • Post-Doctoral Scholar, Family & Community Medicine
Dr. Zhang smiling at the camera in a black dress with blurred outdoor background

Jing Zhang, PhD


Positions Held:
  • Scholar, AppalTRUST
  • ost-Doctoral Scholar, College of Nursing