Ph.D. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology

This emphasis provides students with the experimental, theoretical and analytical tools necessary to investigate the basic processes and mechanisms in exercise physiology.

The Ph.D. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise physiology program is designed for students interested in:

• Skeletal muscle physiology
• The impact of exercise and other stressors on the immune system, healthy aging, and/or cardiovascular disease
• Mechanistic links between obesity, accelerated biological aging, and immunological dysfunction
• Research careers in academia, industry, foundations, or government.

Exercise Physiology Faculty

	Dr. Heather Caslin My academic training and research expertise intersect the fields of immunology, metabolism, and exercise physiology. Broadly, I am interested in how immune cells affect systemic metabolism and how cell bioenergetics affect immune cell function. Specifically, I am interested in how different forms of weight gain and weight loss affect innate immune cells and ultimately cardiovascular and immunological diseases.   Full profile and publications
	Dr. Emily LaVoy My research focuses on understanding how acute and chronic exercise impacts the immune system. In particular, my research investigates the mechanisms underlying changes in immune cells that have been observed following acute exercise, such as changes in lymphocyte function. Ultimately, I am interested in harnessing the beneficial effects of exercise to manipulate immune responses in human populations, such as in older adults and cancer survivors.    Full profile and publications
	Dr. Melissa Markofski Dr. Markofski studies the acute and chronic effects of exercise and nutrition (specifically, dietary protein) on muscle function and biomarkers associated with disease risk. She has a specific interest in monocytes and inflammation and their impact on muscle and adipose tissue. Dr. Markofski uses molecular techniques and clinical and functional outcomes to develop evidence-based exercise and nutritional strategies for reducing the risk to develop chronic diseases and promote healthy aging.     Full profile and publications
	Dr. Yoonjung Park Research efforts focused on 1) Investigating the role of physical activity and exercise training in preventing or ameliorating vascular dysfunction in pathophysiologic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, aging (Alzheimer), microgravity, etc. and 2) Elucidating the mechanisms in which vascular function is altered by the sequelae of the diseases and physical activity/exercise training at the molecular, cellular, and intact tissue levels (isolated intact microvessels). Full profile and publications

The Laboratory of Integrated Physiology (LIP)