Tara O'Brien is a second time winner of an NEF scholarship (this time the Evelyn Barclay award) as she continues working toward her PhD at the Medical University of South Carolina where her research topic is obesity among Appalachian women. Her future research plans are to develop an intervention tailored for Appalachian women to assist them with nutrition, physical activity and weight management. Her goals also include having R01 funding and helping to coordinate a P-level grant promoting health in Appalachian women. Tara has 17 years experience as a staff nurse and case manager working in inpatient, outpatient and community settings. She is also a Certified Nurse Educator who has taught Associate and Baccalaureate programs at Hocking College, Ohio University and, at present, the University of North Carolina Charlotte School of Nursing.