The faculty in the Department of Public Health & Exercise Science have research agendas that span a wide range of topics related to human performance and health. Below you will find the faculty research groups that function out of the facilities in Leon Levine Hall. If interested in becoming involved in any of these groups, reach out to the laboratory’s director. 

Applied Biomarker Laboratory 

The Applied Biomarker laboratory (room 341) investigates blood-based biomarkers in bodily fluids for various physiological processes and for substances that could aid in concussion diagnosis. 

• Director: Matthew Rogatzki, Ph.D.

Cardiometabolic Research Laboratory (CMRL)

The Cardiometobolic Research laboratory (room 122) investigates the role exercise, physical activity, and sedentary behavior can have on cardiometabolic and other health-related outcomes.

• Director: Robert Kowalsky, Ph.D., FACSM

Cardiovascular Research Laboratory (CVRL)

The Cardiovascular Research laboratory (room 118A) studies the development of cardiovascular disease, especially amongst high risk populations, and interventions to prevent disease.

• Director: Rebecca Kappus, Ph.D.

Community Health & Fitness Assessment Program

Housed in the Cardiopulmonary laboratory (room 122), the Community Health and Fitness Assessment Program offers testing opportunities for Appalachian and surrounding community members to help them improve and achieve their health and fitness goals.

• Director: Robert Kowalsky, Ph.D., FACSM

Environmental Physiology & Exposure Research Group

The Environmental Physiology & Exposure Research Group (rooms 118B and 118E) investigates physiological responses to environmental stressors, including signaling mechanisms underlying thermoregulatory and microvascular dysfunction in primary aging and cardiovascular disease groups, as well as assessment of dermal carcinogen absorption and elucidation of key factors modulating absorption during occupational exposure in firefighters.

• Director: Caroline Smith, Ph.D., FACSM

Epidemiology Laboratory (EPIL)

The Epidemiology laboratory (room 118A) focuses on investigating health and disease patterns in populations, with particular emphasis on the prevention and control of conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. The Epidemiology laboratory utilizes a range of epidemiological methods and specialized equipment to analyze disease distribution, identify risk factors, and develop evidence-based interventions to improve population health outcomes.

• Director: Shenghui Wu, M.D., Ph.D.

Healthy Outdoor Play & Exercise Laboratory (HOPE)

The HOPE laboratory (room 432L) is an interdisciplinary research initiative interested in investigating the role of outdoor physical activity, exercise, and play on health, the environment, and human development.

• Director: Rebecca Battista, Ph.D., FACSM

Human Behavior in Physical Activity Laboratory (HBPA)

The Human Behavior in Physical Activity laboratory (room 128) focuses on sport and exercise psychology, with a primary focus on behavioral motivation in various settings.

• Director: Kimberly Fasczewski, Ph.D.

Injury Laboratory

The Injury laboratory is formed from the Electrophysiology (room 120) and Biomechanics (room 125) laboratories, and is focused on conducting groundbreaking research in the field of sports medicine by studying the effects of injury on joint mechanics and the nervous system.

• Director: Alan Needle, Ph.D., FNATA

Integrative Muscle Physiology Laboratory (IMPL)

• Director: Kevin Zwetsloot, Ph.D.

Locomotor Learning Laboratory

The Locomotor Learning laboratory (room 128) integrates community involvement, screening, and research for the betterment of the people of the High Country by promoting healthy aging and independent lifestyles, in both geriatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

• Director: Jared Skinner, Ph.D.

Measuring Motion Laboratory (MML)

The Measuring Motion laboratory (room 125) uses a variety of biomechanical analysis techniques to explore novel ways to accurately measure human movement in the field and validates those in the laboratory setting.

• Director: Herman van Werkhoven, Ph.D.

Sports Nutrition & Performance Laboratory (SNAP)

The Sports Nutrition & Performance laboratory (room 122) studies dietary interventions' effects on performance, recovery, and blood biomarkers in athletes, with a focus on women's health. Our research integrates physiological assessments with nutritional strategies, focusing on nutrient timing, ergogenic aids, hormonal influences on metabolism, and preventative nutrition to optimize performance and long-term health.

• Director: Jennifer Kurtz, Ph.D.

Vascular Biology & Autonomic Studies Laboratory (VBASL)

The Vascular Biology and Autonomic Studies laboratory (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