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Jamie is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Kinesiology and forms part of Dr. Columna’s Promotion of Health Equity and Adapted Physical Activity (PHEAPA) Lab. Originally from Puerto Rico, Jamie received a double BA degree in Physical Education in the areas of Coaching & Training and Teaching at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Campus. She completed a curricular sequence in Adapted Physical Education, where she worked with individuals with disabilities, specifically children with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome. Jamie earned her M.S. in Motor Control and Behavior from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024. As part of the PHEAPA Lab, Jamie is working towards developing inclusive physical activity interventions for families of children with disabilities to promote health and well-being. Jamie’s research interests center on physical activity and well-being among caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Awards and Honors

Education Graduate Research Scholars (Ed-GRS) Fellowship 2022-present

Elizabeth M. Roberts PhD Academic Scholarship in Kinesiology Award (Fall 2026)

Sally J. Phillips Conference Travel Award (Summer 2026)

Graduate School’s Student Research Grants Competition (SRGC) – Conference Presentation Funds (Spring 2026)

Kinesiology Marsh Research Travel Award, 2025 – 2026

Publications

Concepción, J. L. J., Montañez, N., Felizola, G., Prieto, L. A., & Columna, L. (2026). “I’ve always tried to introduce it”: how Latina mothers support physical activity for their autistic children. Disability and Rehabilitation, 48(9), 2827–2838. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2025.2584959

Concepción, J.L.J., Yadav, T.S., Pickett, K.A. et al. Too Tired, Too Busy, Still Trying: Perspectives on Exercise Participation Among Latino Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities. J Autism Dev Disord (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-026-07235-1;

Presentations

Jaime-Concepcion, J., Cuebas, C., Shree Yadav, T., Barquero, M., Swarup, G., Byungmo, K., Meyer, J., & Columna L. (June 2026). Feasibility of a Supervised Physical Activity Program for Psychological Well-Being in Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities. 18^th European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity (EUCAPA 2026). [Poster Presentation].

Columna, L., Jaime-Concepcion, J., Cuebas, C., Shree Yadav, T., Barquero, M., Swarup, G., Schaefer, D., Padilla, C., Byungmo, K., & Meyer, J. (June 2026). Feasibility and Acceptability of a Supervised Physical Activity Program for Mothers of Children with Developmental Disabilities. 18^th European Congress of Adapted Physical Activity (EUCAPA 2026). [Oral Presentation].

Columna, L., & Jaime-Concepcion, J. (March 2026). “Moving More Together: Exercise for Children With Down Syndrome and Their Parents”. Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Down Syndrome Presentation – Madison, Wisconsin. [Oral Presentation].

Jaime-Concepcion, J., Kristen P., Kecia D, & Columna L. (June 2025). Preferences for Exercise Among Latino Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Qualitative Study. International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA 2025).[Poster Presentation] 

Columna, L., Jaime-Concepcion, J., Barquero, M., Shree Yadav, T., & Arroyo, C., (March 2025). Staying Active Together: Exercise for Parents and Children. WI FACETS Presentation – Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [Spanish Oral Presentation and Worskhop]. 

Prieto, L., Jaime-Concepcion, J., Montañez, N., Cuebas, C., & Arroyo, C. (March 2024). Physical Activity for Stress Management among Latino Parents. Stress, Depression, and Anxiety for the parents of the “Los Niños Primeros” by Dr. Mora Pinzon. Presented in Bridge-Lake Point-Waunona Neighborhood, Madison, WI. [Spanish Oral Presentation and Workshop].

Jaime-Concepcion J. & Columna L. (September 2024). Perspectives of Latina/Latino Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Towards Exercise Engagement: A Qualitative Study. North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Symposium (NAFAPA 2024).[Poster Presentation] 

Columna, L., Hartley, S., Cohen A., & Jamie-Concepcion J. (October 2023). Healthy brain aging in people with Down Syndrome. Presented in the Department of Recreation and Sports of Puerto Rico (DRD) 2023 Convention: A New Active Management Model – Ponce, Puerto Rico. [Oral Presentation]

Prieto, L., Jaime-Concepcion, J., Montañez, N., Columna, L., & Bath, S. (April 2023). The Joy of Dance & Movement. All of Us Program Presentation – Madison, Wisconsin.[Spanish Oral Presentation]. 

Grants

Community-Based Physical Activity Goal-Setting Workshop for Spanish-Speaking Parents of Children with Disabilities (Co-Project Leader). Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment Grant, Accepted (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027), Amount: Up to $4,000.

Teaching

Fall 2025 Teaching Assistant- KINES 370: Planning, Facilitating & Assessment in Movement, and Health (Professor: Dr. Luis Columna & Dr. Susan Andreae)

Spring 2026 Teaching Assistant- KINES 361 Motor Learning and Performance (Professor: Dr. Andrea Mason)