Early this month Dr. Steven Elmer, Dr. Christopher Schwartz, and graduate student Matthew Kilgas attended the 63th annual meeting for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in Boston, Massachusetts. For this meeting more than 6,000 professionals from around the world come together for one of the most comprehensive sports medicine and exercise science meeting in the world. Dr. Elmer and Matthew presented their research relating to using upper-body eccentric exercise to improve muscle strength and power. Dr. Elmer also attended the ACSM Awards Banquet where he was recognized for receiving the ACSM Research Endowment Grant.
Robert Larson wa
s recently named a recipient of the American Autonomic Society Lundbeck Research Fellowship for his post-doctoral research proposal entitled “Targeting cardiac sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems with Ang-(1-7) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.” Robert will begin his post-doctoral fellowship in the lab of Dr. Mark Chapleau in The Department of Internal Medicine at The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in July. The $50,00 AAS-Lundbeck Research Fellowship provides salary support for one year and travel costs to the AAS annual conference for two years. Robert earned his master’s degree with Dr. Jason Carter and his doctorate degree with Dr. Qing-Hui Chen.
Robert’s full story was recently featured on Michigan Tech News. Congratulations Robert and continued success as you move on to The University of Iowa.
The Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology (KIP) department was represented well at the Experimental Biology (EB) 2016 Conference in April. Faculty members Dr. Jason Carter, Dr. Qinghui Chen, and Dr. Zhiying Shan along with their graduate students were in attendance and presented posters.
The list of KIP/Biological Sciences graduate students includes; Andrew Chapp (PhD), Ida Fonkoue (PhD), Michael Huber (MS) and Robert Larson (PhD). Andrew Chapp and Michael Huber were also awarded the 2016 Caroline tum Suden/Frances Hellebrandt Award from the American Physiological Society. KIP Visiting Scholar, Fengli Zhu also had a poster presented by Robert Larson and Dr. Zhiying Shan.
Abstract Title: Intraneuronal Acidification with Acetic Acid, an Ethanol Metabolite, Increases Excitability of Central Nucleus of Amygdala Neurons with Axon Projecting to Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla (CeA-RVLM).
Andrew D. Chapp, Kyle M. Driscoll, Zhiying Shan, Jason R. Carter, Qing-Hui Chen
Abstract Title: Acute alcohol consumption blunts the muscle sympathetic nerve activity response to mental stress in humans.
Ida T. Fonkoue, Brett Gervais, Qing-Hui Chen, and Jason R. Carter
Abstract Title: Upregulation of Orexin in the Paraventricular Nucleus Contributes to Salt Sensitive Hypertension
Authors: Michael J. Huber, Fengli Zhu, Robert A. Larson, Ningjun Li, Qing-Hui Chen, and Zhiying Shan
Abstract Title: Diminished Intracellular Calcium in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus Augments Neuronal Excitability and Sympathetic Nerve Activity
Robert A. Larson, Andrew D. Chapp, Zixi Cheng, Zhiying Shan, Qing-Hui Chen
Abstract Title: High Salt Challenge Augments Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Contributes to Elevated Neuronal Activity in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus
Authors: Fengli Zhu, Robert A. Larson, Peng Shi, Ningjun Li, Qing-Hui Chen, and Zhiying Shan
Dr. Elmer was selected as a recipient of a $10,000 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Research Endowment Grant. His project is entitled “RENEW-U! A New Exercise for Individuals with Spinal cord Injury”. Dr. Elmer’s team of mechanical engineering, kinesiology and physical therapy students are collaborating to develop and implement a new exercise modality for manual wheelchair users. This project will help serve as an important stepping stone for a larger study aimed at restoring function and improving health in individuals with spinal cord injury.
The full RENEW-U article can be found here.
Faculty work closely with students in their labs to educate and provide hands on experiences related to research. Students use those valuable experiences in many ways that often leads to recognition. Here are a few of our most recent successes.
Portage Health Foundation Graduate Fellowship
Robert Larson, PhD student working in Dr. Chen’s lab, was recently awarded the Portage Health Foundation Graduate Fellowship Award. Congrats Robert for your continued successes in research, publications and overall contribution to the KIP department and Michigan Tech.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Dakota Anderson, Biomedical Engineering, recently received a Summer Research Fellowship. Dakota’s advisor is Dr. Elmer. Congrats Dakota and we wish you the best of luck conducting your research this summer.
Undergraduate Research Expo
A number of our faculty had students presenting their work as part of the 2016 Undergraduate Research Expo last week.
Claire Eischer, Exercise Science – Dr. Tejin Yoon (Human Neurmechanics-nLab)
Olivia Ingram, Biological Sciences – Dr. Kevin Trewartha (Aging, Cognition & Action)
Tessa Sprague, Exercise Science – Dr. Kevin Trewartha (Aging, Cognition & Action)
Ashley VanSumeren, Biological Sciences & Exercise Science – Dr. Steven Elmer (Exercise Physiology)
Dr. Trewarth’s student, Olivia Ingram, placed 3rd for her presentation on “The Role of Implicit Memory Precesses in Age-Related Declines in Motor Learning.” She was also one of three students recognized by expo visitors with the Audience Choice Award.
A message from Dr. Elmer, Interim Department Chair:
KIP Undergraduate Students,
Are you an extremely motivated student? Take a big leap forward with the Kinesiology Accelerated Master’s (BS-MS) program!
The Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology will hold a brief informational session this week on our Kinesiology Accelerated Master’s (BS-MS) program. This new accelerated degree plan allows you to combine a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Tech in exercise science or sports and fitness management with a coursework-based master’s degree in kinesiology (4 + 1 = 5 years total). Together, the two degrees help students strengthen their admission applications to professional graduate programs (e.g., medical school, physical therapy school) and gain a competitive edge for a careers in industry (e.g., cardiac rehabilitation, strength and conditioning).
Current undergraduate students (2nd, 3rd, and especially 4th year) who are interested are strongly encouraged to attend one of the informational sessions next week (see below). After a brief overview of the program students will have time to meet with current graduate students in the program, see a hands-on demonstration of new department equipment used in research and teaching (ultrasound machine), and network with other graduate students pursuing careers in academics and physical therapy.
Kinesiology Accelerated master’s (BS-MS) Program
Information Sessions
Wednesday March 23
6:00 – 6:30pm
SDC Room P105 (Exercise Science Classroom/Lab)
Friday March 25
2:30 – 3:00pm
SDC Room P105 (Exercise Science Classroom/Lab)
*Refreshments will be provided, please RSVP by contacting the KIP Main Office (SDC 231).
http://www.mtu.edu/kip/graduate/accelerated/
The KIP department will be at Preview Day this Saturday, March 19 from 11:00 am – 1:30, in the Memorial Union Building. We welcome all new students coming to Michigan Tech to stop by and see what we’re all about! We’ll have students from our sports & fitness management & exercise science programs along with students in their second year of CMU’s doctorate of physical therapy program available to answer questions and offer hands on demonstrations.
*Department tours also available from 2:30 – 3:15 p.m., interested participants should meet at the KIP offices located on the 2nd floor of the SDC. Graduate student Matt Gage will lead a tour through some of our KIP labs and talk about research being conducted.
More information and schedule of events can be found here.
Please join us for a presentation by:
Dr. Kristen Knutson,
Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary/Critical Care
University of Chicago
Candidate for a Portage Health Foundation
Endowed Professorship in Preventive and Community Health
TITLE:
Association Between Sleep and Cardiometabolic Disease Risk
ABSTRACT:
Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease have all been linked to characteristics of sleep, including duration, quality and timing. The goal of this presentation will be to review the associations between sleep and risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Furthermore, socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in cardiometabolic disease are well-known. This presentation will also discuss whether sleep may mediate these health disparities. Understanding novel risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases could help lead to the development of innovative intervention strategies to reduce chronic disease risk and improve community health.
Monday, March 21, 2016
3:00-4:00 pm
Kanwal and Ann Rekhi Hall – Room G009
Refreshments will be served.
Every year, Strength and Conditioning Coach and KIP Instructor Matt Thome, invites guest lecturer Dr. Bill Harrison or Ryan Harrison from the company, Slow the Game Down, to speak in his Strength and Conditioning (EH4510) class. Dr. Harrison’s lecture focuses on how the eye can be used as a tool to train the brain in specific ways.
Following this guest lecture, students participate in a practical class session. The practical session allows students the opportunity to try some of the “brain training” drills used to enhance an athlete’s focus, visual acuity,and decision making skills. This is always a fun class session, especially when students time the drills and compete against each other.
*This class will be offered again for Fall 2016. For more information about the class click here EH4510 or contact our KIP department with questions.
