Author: Heather Powers

Kinesiology Accelerated Master’s Program (BS-MS) Informational Session Today

The Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology Department will be holding an informational session about our Kinesiology Accelerated Master’s Program (BS-MS). The informational session includes an overview of the program, an opportunity to talk with graduate students who are currently enrolled in the BS-MS program, and tips for preparing an application.

The information session will take place at 2:30 p.m. today (Feb. 28) in ATDC 101. Feel free to stay for the KIP Seminar that follows.

Please RSVP by calling the KIP office at (906) 487-2715 or by emailing Melissa.

Q&A: Matt Roy

Former Michigan Tech hockey player Matt Roy is in his third year of professional hockey and first full season in the NHL with the Los Angeles Kings. In 61 games this season, Roy has four goals and 13 assists. He earned his first NHL call up in February 2019 and played 25 games at the end of the 2018-19 season, tallying six points with two goals and four assists. Roy left Michigan Tech after his junior season in the spring of 2017 and continued his education through the University. In December, he completed his bachelor’s of science in exercise science and received his diploma.

Who did you promise that you would finish your degree?
The first person I promised that I would finish my degree was my mom. She wasn’t going to let me leave school early if I wasn’t going to finish. Talking with Suzanne [Sanregret] and Craig Pellizzaro, who was my advisor, we discussed a plan. I was able to take classes online, and I told Suzanne that I wasn’t going to take anything for granted and pass my classes. I’m very grateful to Suzanne and Craig who helped me get my diploma.

How does it feel to be done with your bachelor’s and what are your plans after hockey?
Receiving my diploma was a great feeling. It was tough doing all the classes online and staying consistent. It was a mental battle. I’m happy to have it done and to have it through Tech is awesome. I’m not sure about plans after hockey. Personal training or owning a gym would be fun, but I have a lot of ideas floating around right now.

Read the full feature.

Call for Applications: Songer Research Award for Human Health Research

Matthew Songer, (Biological Sciences ’79) and Laura Songer (Biological Sciences ’80) have generously donated funds to the College of Sciences and Arts (CSA) to support a research project competition for undergraduate and graduate students.

Remembering their own eagerness to engage in research during their undergraduate years, the Songers established these awards to stimulate and encourage opportunities for original research by current Michigan Tech students. The College is extremely grateful for the Songers’ continuing interest in, and support of, Michigan Tech’s programs in human health and medicine.

Any Michigan Tech student interested in exploring a medically related question under the guidance of faculty in the College of Sciences and Arts may apply. Students majoring in any degree program in the college, including both traditional (i.e., biological sciences, kinesiology, chemistry) and nontraditional (i.e., physics, psychology, social science, bioethics, computer science, mathematics) programs related to human health may propose research projects connected to human health. 

Submit applications as a single PDF file to the Office of the College of Sciences and Arts by 4 p.m. Monday, March 30. Applications may be emailed to djhemmer@mtu.edu.

Read more about the Songer Research Award here.

Acute Sleep Deprivation Study

Two researchers setting up a participant for a sleep study

More than 30 percent of the United States population is reported to be chronically sleep-deprived, where this is a known contributor to cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of one night of total sleep deprivation on blood pressure and the nervous system.

Participant eligibility requirements include:

  • Ages: 40 – 55 years old
  • Body Mass Index <35 kg/m2
  • Non-smoker and non-diabetic
  • Not on heart or blood pressure medications
  • Cannot be pregnant, breastfeeding or post-menopausal
  • Must not have clinically-diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea
  • Not using birth control medication or intrauterine device

We are looking for our FINAL male participant to wrap up this study. Monetary compensation is provided. Consider participating today. Contact Ian Greenlund for more information

Intermittent Fasting Research Study

Intermittent fastin concept - empty plate on blue background,

A research study is being conducted by the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology and they are currently recruiting healthy individuals that are 18 to 40 years old. This study is looking into the effects of intermittent fasting on the cardiovascular system.

Participants will be asked to visit the lab eight times over the course of 10 weeks and fast twice weekly for six weeks. Additionally, participants will be compensated and provided information about their body composition and cardiovascular health.

If you are interested in learning more about this research study and to see if you are eligible to participate, contact Steven Stelly or provide your information for us to contact you at the following link.

Thermal Control on Sleep Quality and Blood Pressure Dipping

Older man sitting on bed with hand to head

Help us to study the effects of a thermal heating and gradual cooling feature within a mattress that may improve sleep quality. The Sleep Research Laboratory is currently recruiting participants. Please read the attached flyer for additional information regarding the screening process as well as participation.

Do you ever suspect that you may be a poor sleeper? Do you have trouble maintaining or falling asleep? A multitude of factors may be impacting your sleep.

One of the potential culprits is temperature control at night. Core body temperature dropping at night is essential for sleep efficiency, but when abnormalities in body temperature occur, it can be detrimental to your sleep.

Thank You for the Support

Group of CMU Physical Therapy studentsOn behalf of the CMU Physical Therapy Student Organization (PTSO), MTU cohort, and Laurel and Melissa Maki from 31 Backpacks, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to all who helped make the Spaghetti Dinner a bigger success than we could have ever imagined. Thanks to everyone who bought tickets, donated money, or donated merchandise for auction, we were able to raise $1,869 to be able to send to 31 Backpacks.

In addition, as a part of Giving Tuesday on Tuesday December 3, we donated the proceeds through the Portage Health Foundation, and they matched our donation, bringing that total to $3,738. It is amazing that we were able to raise as much as we did, and it speaks volumes to the generosity of everyone in this wonderful community here in Houghton. It goes to show that we can make a very significant difference in the lives of those who need our help, and we hope that you will continue to show this generosity as we have more events to raise money for other organizations, including our 5k Hero Hustle Race for the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, coming in July 2020.

The PTSO group also collects Tadych’s Econo receipts and they can be sent via campus mail to the Kinesiology & Integrative Physiology Department, 231 SDC.

Frost Named 2020 American Kinesiology Association Leadership Fellow

Megan FrostDepartment Chair, Megan Frost, (KIP) was named a 2020 American Kinesiology Association (AKA) Leadership Institute Fellow. Jason Carter, Vice President for Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education at Montana State University, who serves as AKA past-President and is one of the co-directors for the Leadership Institute, said, “This year’s cohort for the AKA Leadership Institute is simply outstanding. It contains eleven new or aspiring department chairs from programs across the entire United States. It is a well-respected and impactful professional development program for emerging kinesiology leaders in the field.”

The AKA defines kinesiology as the academic discipline that involves the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society and quality of life. This includes, but is not limited to, areas of study such as exercise science, sports management, athletic training and sports medicine, socio-cultural analyses of sports, sport and exercise psychology, fitness leadership and more. The AKA is committed to cross-disciplinary study in kinesiology as well as cross-disciplinary application of knowledge to problems in the physical activity field.

More information about the AKA Leadership Institute can be found here.