PHES Facilities
The Department of Public Health & Exercise Science is home to several learning and research laboratories, housed in the Leon Levine Health Sciences building. These laboratories contain state-of-the-art equipment to advance research and provide students with unique experiences as they complete their degrees. If you are interested in utilizing the equipment in these laboratories, reach out to the listed laboratory directors.
Anatomy & Physiology Laboratories
The Anatomy and Physiology laboratories (rooms 344, 347, and 351) are learning laboratories within the undergraduate Exercise Science curriculum. The Gross Anatomy laboratory (347) is equipped with downdraft tables and preparation areas for multiple cadavers. The Anatomy laboratory (351) utilizes a virtual cadaver (Anatomage table), various dissectable organs, and plastic and plastinated models as learning tools. The Physiology laboratory (344) utilizes Biopac and other learning tools for hands-on experiments.
Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Director: Killian Wustrow, MS
Gross Anatomy Laboratory Director: Ashley Goodman, Ph.D.
Biochemistry Laboratory
The Biochemistry laboratory (room 341) is a multidisciplinary laboratory for research and for training undergraduate and graduate students, and houses state-of-the-art equipment where researchers measure a wide variety of biomarkers for health and disease in the fields of biomedical-, nutrition-, and exercise-related research.
Director: Kevin Zwetsloot, Ph.D.
Body Composition Laboratory
The Body Composition laboratory (room 127) is a core facility open to investigators for incorporating various methods of determining body composition into their research. The laboratory contains Bod Pod and Bioelectrical Impedance, and well as DEXA and pQCT technologies.
Director: Travis Triplett, Ph.D.
Cardiovascular Research Laboratory (CVRL)
The CVRL (room 118A) is interested in the study of the development of cardiovascular disease, especially amongst high risk populations, and interventions to prevent disease. The room is equipped with an ultrasound (Arietta 70, Aloka), transcranial doppler (DWL USA), edge detection software (Medical Imaging Applications), heart rate variability, hand grip, and data acquisition software (Biopac Inc.), and arterial stiffness and central arterial pressure waveform software (SphygmoCor).
Director: Rebecca Kappus, Ph.D.
Electrophysiology Laboratory
The Electrophysiology Laboratory (room 120) consists of an electromagnetically-shielded room to facilitate the recording of electrical activity from the body (e.g. electromyography, electroencephalography). The room houses a transcranial magnetic stimulator, peripheral nerve stimulator, multiple electromyography recording systems, and an electroencephalography system.
Director: Alan Needle, Ph.D., FNATA
Environmental Physiology Laboratory
The environmental chamber (room 118F) is a state-of-the-art facility that allows the simulation of various environmental extremes. It consists of a 250 sq ft Cantrol Environmental Chamber capable of temperature and humidity ranges from 5-45°C and 15-100% rh, respectively. An integrated Altitude Control Technology (ACT) system simulates altitude (normobaric hypoxia) up to approximately 13,000ft. The Chamber is surrounded by wet lab space (room 118E) housing an ETO gas sterilizer, centrifuge, and blood draw equipment. Laboratory computers are available for data collection and analysis.
- Director: Caroline Smith, Ph.D., FACSM
Exercise Physiology Teaching Laboratory
The Exercise Science Teaching Laboratory (room 249) is a learning laboratory within the undergraduate and graduate Exercise Science curricula. The laboratory has duplicate sets of aerobic and anaerobic fitness testing equipment (metabolic cart, treadmill, cycle ergometer, electrocardiography) as well as pulmonary function equipment.
Director: Robert Kowalsky, Ph.D.
Gait & Balance Laboratory
The Gait and Balance Laboratory (room 128) is equipped to assess human locomotion, postural control, and neuromuscular function. The lab features an instrumented walkway system, wearable biosensors, non-invasive brain stimulation devices, and brain imaging tools. In addition to research, the lab supports community and clinical testing through the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness and provides hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Director: Jared Skinner, Ph.D.
Health & Performance Laboratory
The Health & Performance Laboratory (room 122) is uniquely equipped to explore the full spectrum of physical activity, from sedentary behavior to elite sports performance. Featured equipment in this space includes objective physical activity monitors, cardiometabolic health assessment tools including pulse wave velocity, and several stationary and portable COSMED metabolic carts. The lab also has a treadmill as well as both clinical and performance cycle ergometers. The Community Health and Fitness Assessment Program is housed in this space, providing valuable health and fitness evaluations for the local community.
Director: Robert Kowalsky, Ph.D.
Neuromuscular & Biomechanics Laboratory
The Neuromuscular laboratory (room 124) & Biomechanics laboratory (room 125) has 3,000 combined square footage to support investigations related to human movement and performance. The laboratory has an array of equipment and analysis capabilities that allows for a complete neuromuscular and biomechanical assessment of a variety of physical tasks including weightlifting, jumping performance, gait analysis and balance. These tools include multiple force plates, instrumented treadmill, electromyography systems, isokinetic dynamometer, and 3-dimensional motion tracking videography systems. Further, the neuromuscular lab features an array of weight lifting equipment used for teaching students pursuing degrees related to strength and conditioning.
Director: Jeffrey McBride, Ph.D.
Phlebotomy Laboratory
The Phlebotomy Laboratory (room 116) is a shared-use space where biological samples are collected and processed for further downstream analyses. This space includes: phlebotomy chairs, a reclining clinical chair, TV monitor, benchtop centrifuge, refrigerator/freezer combo, and sink.
- Director: Kevin Zwetsloot, Ph.D.
Thermal and Microcirculation Laboratory
The Thermal and Microvascular Physiology Laboratory (room 118B) is a 450 sq ft state-of-the-art laboratory containing equipment to investigate a multitude of physiological responses to environmental stressors, including contaminant exposure, core body temperature responses, skin blood flow, hemodynamics and sweating. The Thermal and Microvascular Physiology Laboratory sits adjacent to the environment chamber.
Director: Caroline Smith, Ph.D., FACSM
Vascular Biology & Autonomic Studies Laboratory (VBASL)
The VBASL (room 118C) investigates how exercise lowers blood pressure and how treatments, such as antioxidant supplementation and chronic exercise, can sustain positive health benefits. In addition, sleep architecture and its effects on physiological function is examined.
Director: Scott Collier, Ph.D., FACSM