Research Activities in Kinesiology

The Kinesiology faculty investigate diverse and wide-spread topics. Some of us study the human body at the molecular level, others study the whole organism, and others look at humans from a societal level. The one thing we all have in common is that we all ultimately focus on human health.

We have specialists in physiology, anatomy, public health, health ethics, motor learning, nutrition, and biomechanics. Our labs and the research techniques are state-of-the-art. We use both animal and human models, as well as community health agencies to investigate our research questions.

Because ours is an undergraduate program, all our research assistants are undergrads. They are active partners in our research, and frequently co-author publications.

Kinesiology Research Laboratories
	Cellular and Biochemistry Laboratory This laboratory focuses on the neuromuscular and neuroendocrine systems. We study these systems at both the cellular and organismal levels. We are particularly interested in how they respond to increased (exercise) or decreased activity (disuse/unloading.) Our recent work explored the interaction of aging with alterations in physical activity. For more information, contact the lab director, [[mrdesc, Professor Deschenes]]. To see references and publications, please visit PubMed.
	The Center for Balance and Aging Studies (CBAS) The Center for Balance and Aging Studies, headquartered in the Department of Kinesiology at William & Mary, explores factors that increase fall risk in the geriatric population. CBAS research includes collaborations between the Departments of Kinesiology, Physics, and Psychological Sciences.
	Human Performance Laboratory The Human Performance Laboratory investigates the effects of aging, gender, and disuse in metabolic, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular function. The Human Performance Laboratory is in the bottom level of Adair Hall on the main campus of William & Mary. For more information,contact the lab director, [[mrdesc, Professor Deschenes]].
	Ignite Ignite, based at the Global Research Institute, is a multidisciplinary research lab that examines the allocation of global public health resources within the context of effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. For more information, contact the Project Leader, [[cbdolan, Professor Carrie Dolan]]
	Microscopy Laboratory The Microscopy Laboratory works to reveal the morphological adaptations of the neuromuscular system to exercise and disuse in aged and young systems. For more information, contact the lab director, [[mrdesc, Professor Deschenes]].
	Molecular and Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory The Molecular & Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory investigates exercise-induced changes in cardiac and vascular function. Specifically, we look into changes in molecular mechanisms regulating heat shock proteins and nitric oxide synthases. Both nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and stress proteins play an important role in protecting the heart. We test for exercise-induced changes in NOS and/or stress protein expression in the heart muscles. We use models of exercise and various disease states to test exercise-induced changes in gene and protein expression in the cardiovascular system. These changes may have a role in preventing endothelial dysfunction in aging, hypertension, diabetes, and ischemia/reperfusion. For more information, contact the lab director, [[mbharr, Professor Harris]].
	The Neurobehavioral Nutrition Lab Understanding Neurobehavioral Drivers for Effective Nutrition Interventions Why is there a discrepancy between what we know we should do and what we actually do? Dr. Stephanie Caligiuri, the head of the Neurobehavioral Nutrition lab, ponders this every day; a question she strives to answer through her research to enhance the effectiveness of nutrition interventions. She believes that in order for nutrition interventions to be truly successful, we must consider the individual and the neurobiology behind their behavior. The goal of the lab is to use Behavioral Neuroendocrinology to understand our eating behaviors and to use that to our advantage to promote mental health and cardiometabolic health. Dr. Caligiuri utilizes advanced techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), biosensors, and metabolomics. These methods allow her to assess brain region recruitment, physiological responses, and metabolic changes in real time under various conditions and dietary interventions. The Neurobehavioral Nutrition Lab will focus on conducting intervention clinical trials to promote mental health, stress management, cardiometabolic health, and to reduce the severity of disordered eating. For more information contact the Lab Director, [[scaligiuri, Professor Caligiuri]].
	Nutritional Epidemiology and Food Systems Laboratory The interdisciplinary Nutritional Epidemiology and Food Systems Laboratory conducts big-picture, frontier research at the nexus of human nutrition, public health, and planetary health. Professor Conrad and his team combine analytic techniques from data science, systems modeling, and epidemiology to investigate how dietary patterns impact 1) cardiometabolic health outcomes in large populations, and 2) environmental sustainability at the national and international levels. For more information contact the lab director, [[zsconrad, Professor Conrad]].
	Vascular Physiology Laboratory Research in the Vascular Physiology lab focuses on the function of arteries in normal and diseased states. The research group is particularly interested in the role of gap junctions (channels that connect the interiors of neighboring cells) in vascular function, and how the function of these channels is altered in those with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and during the process of vascular remodeling. For more information, contact the lab director, [[rlooft, Professor Looft-Wilson]].
	The Jack Borgenicht Altitude Research Facility The Jack Borgenicht Altitude Physiology Research Facility explores how altitude affects the human body. The lab is at 49 ft. altitude and is usually near 752 torr: approximately sea level, depending upon weather conditions. However, it can simulate atmospheres found at altitudes up to 18,000 feet. The Co-Directors are [[kwkamb,Prof. Ken Kambis, Ph.D.]] and [[mbharr, Prof. Brennan Harris, Ph.D.]]