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

The Laboratory of Integrative Physiology (LIP) faculty have expertise in exercise, inflammation, immunology, and vascular function. Using cutting-edge research techniques and both human and animal studies, we answer scientific questions relating to aging, cancer, and other chronic diseases like atherosclerosis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Our faculty and students are members of the American College of Sports Medicine, American Physiological Society, International Society of Exercise Immunology, Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society, and the American Association of Immunologists. Our students often attend scientific meetings and have won scholarship and recognition for their presentations.

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 physical fitness and exercise impact the immune system. My long-term goal is to understand how physical fitness and exercise can improve diseases and conditions associated with immune dysregulation, such as cancer. I am also interested in how physical fitness and exercise can mitigate the impact of stress on the immune system. My lab answers these research questions using both human and animal models. 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

Learn more about the The Laboratory of Integrative Physiology (LIP) at UH