Laurie Abbott is an Associate Professor at the Florida State University College of Nursing. Dr. Abbott is an advanced public health nurse and lifestyle medicine professional whose research among southern rural populations seeks to expose social determinants of health which underlie unhealthy behaviors and develop strategies for promoting cardiovascular health and reducing chronic disease risk and exacerbation. Her research impacts rural health by applying health behavior change theories to interventions that support improvements in lifestyle factors and access to essential preventive health services and resources. She has developed, implemented, and evaluated evidence-based interventions in two cluster randomized trials conducted in rural community settings that showed measurable and sustained improvements in disease risk factors. Her most recent study examined the effects of a multi-factor chronic disease risk reduction intervention using a web-based modality among rural southern participants. The impact of her research is evidenced by her refereed publications that have influenced further health equity research efforts, policies, clinical guidelines, frameworks, and public health practice. The reach of her work was further broadened through public broadcasting, media outlets, and conference presentations. Dr. Abbott earned her BSN and MSN from Florida State University College of Nursing and her PhD from Florida Atlantic University.