Renee L. Buster, PhD., MPH, CHES, CSCS

Assistant Clinical Professor

School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology

Contact

Rbuster@twu.edu
940-898-2843
PH 230N

Biography

Dr. Buster’s primary areas of expertise include health communication and health promotion, with a focus on maternal health literacy (MHL), maternal health outcomes and behaviors, youth behavioral and mental health, and the impact of digital and social environments on health. Her research examines how social media, cultural context, and health messaging influence decision-making and well-being among pregnant and postpartum individuals, as well as how these factors affect youth, particularly in the areas of prevention and early intervention. She is especially interested in the intersection of mental and behavioral health and in developing tools and strategies that promote informed, health-enhancing behaviors. Recent work includes examining the impact of social networking sites (SNS) on MHL, assessing patterns of SNS use in relation to MHL, and exploring how digital health engagement influences maternal health outcomes. Dr. Buster maintains active research collaborations within her university and with colleagues at other institutions.

Education

Ph.D., Health Studies, Texas Woman's University
M.P.H., Population and Public Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
M.S., Exercise Physiology, University of North Texas
B.S., Kinesiology, University of North Texas

Expertise

Social Media and Behavioral Outcomes; Digital Health Engagement; Maternal Health Literacy (MHL); Youth Behavioral & Mental Health

Latest Articles

Examining the relationship between social media and cross-cultural world mindedness among college students
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities (2021)
Renee L Buster, Elizabeth W Wachira, Paul E Yeatts

Recent Presentations

17 Goals to Transform Our World: A Blog
Students for Teaching and Assignment Recognition (2019)
Poster | Renee L Buster

Why Genetic Engineering (GE) is a Public Health Issue
Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference (2018)
Poster | Renee L Buster

An Assessment of Health Educators' Likelihood of Adopting Genetically Modified Food Competencies for Health Promotion
Federation Graduate Research Symposium (2017)
Poster | Renee L Buste

Honors & Awards

• Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health Presidential Scholar, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (2022)
• An Assessment of Health Educators' Likelihood of Adopting Genetically Modified Food Competencies for Health Promotion, Federation Graduate Research Symposium, 1st Place Research Award (2017)