Enhancing the Global Quality of Life Through Pioneering Research

Areas of Research

The Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management at Texas A&M University is at the forefront of enhancing global quality of life through pioneering research and educational excellence across a spectrum of vital disciplines. Our faculty and students across the disciplines and applications of Kinesiology and Sport Management are engaged in work including the following core areas:

Exercise Physiology

Our research explores the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise, providing insights crucial for optimizing performance and improving health outcomes.

Motor Behavior

Investigating the intricate mechanisms of human movement and brain function, we apply these insights to enhance motor skills, rehabilitation, and overall human performance.

Neuroscience

We delve into the neural underpinnings of movement and sports performance, advancing our understanding of how the brain influences athletic prowess and rehabilitation.

Sport Coaching and Pedagogy

Through innovative teaching methods and research, we elevate coaching, teaching, and leadership in athletic and educational settings, fostering excellence in sports education.

Sport Consumer Behavior

Preparing future leaders in sport management, we conduct research and education initiatives that drive innovation and excellence in sports organizations and industries, focusing on understanding consumer behavior in sport markets.

Lifespan Wellness

Advancing knowledge and practices that promote health and wellness across all stages of life, we empower individuals and communities to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.

Muscle and Cardiovascular Physiology

Exploring the physiological mechanisms underlying muscle function and cardiovascular health, we aim to optimize physical performance and health outcomes through our research.

Research Statistics

Awards & Expenditures
  • New Awards
  • 11
  • New Funding
  • $1.1M
  • Active Research Funding
  • $3.9M
Faculty
  • PI or Co-PI on funded projects
  • 10
  • Professor
  • 4
  • Associate professor
  • 4
  • Assistant professor
  • 2
Awards & Expenditures
  • New Awards
  • 88
  • New Funding
  • $21.95M
  • Active Research Funding
  • $20.8M
Faculty
  • PI or Co-PI on funded projects
  • 36
  • Professor
  • 15
  • Associate professor
  • 13
  • Assistant professor
  • 8

Centers, Institutes & Laboratories

Our faculty and students actively contribute to groundbreaking research through 15 specialized research labs and three esteemed centers and institutes:

Centers & Institutes

The Sydney and J.L. Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance

Leading advancements in sports medicine, human performance, and injury prevention to enhance athletic performance and health outcomes.

The Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity (CTRAL)

Investigating aging and longevity science, translating research findings into practical applications that improve quality of life as individuals age.

The Center for Sport Management Research and Education (CSMRE)

Driving research and education in sport management, preparing students to excel in the dynamic sports business environment.

Laboratories

Soft Tissue Regeneration and Applied Biomaterials (STRAB) Lab

About:
Research interests in the STRAB Lab encompass composite tissue injury and regeneration. Biocompatible materials are being developed and studied for treating skeletal muscle in the context of injury and disease. Our long-term interests include elucidating mechanisms for micronized borophosphate materials to enhance soft tissue regeneration and identifying signals that drive crosstalk between Schwann cells and endothelial cells. Current efforts center on exploring the efficacy and toxicity of biocompatible time-release ion matrices in muscular dystrophy.

Contact Information:
College of Education and Human Development, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management
2929 Research Pkwy | Gilchrist 314 | College Station, TX 77845
E: amorton@tamu.edu | P: (979) 862-1181

Directors:
Aaron B. Morton, PhD

Members:
PhD Students:

  • Jacob Kendra, MS (doctoral candidate)
  • Shadi Golpasandi, MS

Active Projects:

  • Advancing Discovery to Market Award 2023-2025

Perception-Action Dynamics Lab

About:
The main research pursuit is the identification of how motor skills are controlled and learned. Emphasis is placed on understanding how perceptual information is transformed into motor plans to generate rhythmic actions of the arms in unimanual and bimanual tasks. Current research has been using Non-invasive brain techniques (TMS, tDCS) as tools to identify the role of neural areas in the development/learning of motor plans and the production of motor commands that move the limbs.

Contact Information:
jjbuchanan@tamu.edu | (979) 862-3229

Director:
Dr. John J. Buchanan

Members:

  • Currently seeking PhD students

Active Projects:

  • Motor skill learning in interpersonal/joint action contexts
  • The influence of tDCS on bimanual skill learning
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a tool to probe unimanual and bimanual skill learning and transfer

Human Movement Complexity Lab

About:
Biomechanics is the study of movement. For example, when you stub your toe, there is a force from the impact of your toe on the table, and I am sure you know how that affects your movements. Biomechanics is a wide field that can examine forces on your teeth when you chew (dental biomechanics) or forces that cause injuries, like an ACL tear. Our lab focuses in a slightly different area of biomechanics. We are not robots and not all our movements are exactly alike. Our lab studies the complexities of movement including the variations in how we move and how those variations are associated with health.

Contact Information:
hmcl@tamu.edu | (979) 845-1334

Directors:
Dr. Jenna Yentes

Members:
PhD Students:

  • Jack Manning
  • Kuan Chen
  • Drew Smith

B.S. Students:

  • Mike Young
  • Elisa Chacon
  • Eden Haneline
  • Avery Parker

Project Aid:

  • Mattie Higgins, M.S.

Collaborators:

  • Bruce Scott, PhD (TAMU, Statistics)
  • Jessica Bernard, PhD (TAMU, PBSI)
  • Adam Case, PhD (TAMU Health, Psychiatry)
  • Eric Markvicka, PhD (UNL, Engineering)
  • Stephen Rennard, MD (UNMC, Pulmonology)

Active Projects:

  • Functional resiliency in aging – Why do some older adults age quickly or earlier in life compared to others? The goal of this work is to understand what characteristics predispose a person to “accelerated” aging, specifically in terms of their function like walking or balance.
  • Mechanics of firefighting – Firefighting skills are highly complex and require both physical and cognitive skills. What happens when a firefighter’s gear does not fit correctly or restricts their range of motion? The goal of this work is to determine how firefighters’ protective equipment may inhibit or enhance their ability to perform skills. Secondary goals are to investigate best practices for wellness and preparation for the job.
  • Device validation – Working with our collaborators in Nebraska, we actively validate new sensors and devices they create to capture human movement.

Website:
https://hmcl.tamu.edu/

Other relevant info:
Results from our scientific experiment on which is the best Oreo, please see https://hmcl.tamu.edu/culture/ (bottom of the page).

Sport and Life Quality (SLQ) Lab

About:
For 15 years, the SLQ group has been committed to enhancing the life quality of those who live and work in sport.

Since the capacity of sport to deliver socially valued outcomes (e.g., health, well-being, sense of community, economic development) depends on the nature of sport program content and delivery, the work of the SLQ affiliates endeavors to identify how sport can be designed, managed, and marketed to promote and enhance the life quality of individuals, families, and communities.

Across a variety of sport and sport for development (S4D) contexts, our research has examined the micro (employee, participant), meso (organizational), and macro (delivery system) elements of sport that illumine relationships between the ways that sport programs and systems are designed and implemented, on the one hand, and their consequent outcomes, on the other.

Our work has generally revolved around three main themes:

  • Work-Life Balance
  • Individual Development Through Sport
  • Development of Sports For Girls and Women

Contact Information:
Dr. Marlene Dixon madixon@tamu.edu

Directors:
Dr. Marlene Dixon – Principal Investigator

Members:

  • Ashlyn Hardie – Executive Director
  • Dr. Arden Anderson – Research Affiliate
  • Daniel Springer – Graduate Teaching Assistant

Active Projects:

Website:
https://www.sportandlifequality.org/

Vascular Biology Laboratory

About:
Research in the Vascular Biology Laboratory focuses on the effects of aging on skeletal muscle vascular beds. The primary goal is to understand mechanisms by which endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells adapt to aging resulting in reduced exercise tolerance and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. In addition, mechanisms by which exercise training attenuates or reverses the detrimental effects of aging on vascular cell function are studied. Functional studies are conducted using isolated perfused arteries to determine the cell signaling events in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells that mediate vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Biochemical and molecular techniques are used to determine mechanisms contributing to vascular cell dysfunction and to determine mechanisms by which exercise training improves vascular cell function in aged arteries.

Contact Information:
woodmanc@tamu.edu

Director(s):
Dr. Christopher Woodman

Collaborator:
Andreea Trache, PhD; Department of Medical Physiology Texas A&M

Active projects:
Stretch-induced regulation of vascular contractility in aged-resistance arteries

Performance and Fatigue Laboratory

About:
The Performance and Fatigue Laboratory studies the mechanisms and interventions that lead to greater performance or degradation of performance in fatigue. Our approach combines developing technologies in the fields of wearable technology, biomarkers, and nutraceuticals to assess, monitor, and mitigate fatigue in high-risk, high-performance settings. We have a particular interest in examining settings that combine both high physical and cognitive loads. By understanding the mechanisms and predictors of optimal performance and onset of fatigue, we hope to develop integrative strategies to provide real-time monitoring and mitigation of fatigue in critical, high-performance settings.

Contact Information:
sriechman@tamu.edu

Director(s):
Steven E. Riechman, PhD, MPH

Member(s):

  • Sean Stanelle, MS, Doctoral Candidate, KINE
  • Austin Burmieir, MS, Doctoral student, KINE
  • Joel Correa, MS, Doctoral student, KINE
  • Nate Young, MS, Doctoral student, KINE
  • Francisco Aguilar, MS, Doctoral student, KINE
  • JD Tebbets, BS, Doctoral student, KINE
  • Ben Doyle, MS, Doctoral student, KINE
  • Faith Ford, MS, Research Associate

Collaborators:

  • Jim Fluckey, PhD (TAMU Kinesiology)
  • Byran Mann, PhD (TAMU Kinesiology)
  • Jenna Yentes, PhD (TAMU Kinesiology)
  • Lisa Colvin, PhD (TAMU Kinesiology)
  • Karen Beathard, PhD (TAMU Nutrition)
  • Suzanne Talcott, PhD (TAMU Nutrition)
  • Stehpen Talcott, PhD (TAMU Nutrition)
  • Roozbeh Jafari, PhD (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Electrical Engineering)
  • Ivan Ivanov, PhD (TAMU Veterinary Sciences, Statistics)
  • Ranjana Mehta, PhD (University of Wisconsin, Madison, Industrial Engineering)
  • Heather Bean, PhD (Arizona State University, Chemistry)

Projects:

  • Fatigue Assessments with Breath
  • Protein Matrix interventions and high cognitive performance
  • Muscle-Brain signaling axis

News:
Breathless: Detecting levels of fatigue with artificial intelligence

College Sports Lab (CSL)

About:
The College Sports Lab (CSL) is an interdisciplinary research and training laboratory supported by the Division of Sport Management in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management at Texas A&M University. Scholars of the lab examine major concepts and issues related to the management and conduct of all levels of intercollegiate athletics, including those related to organizational effectiveness and efficiency, social responsibility and ethics, revenue generation, leadership, organizational control and planning, reform and organizational change, fiscal management, gender equity, diversity, legal aspects and compliance, career attainment processes, and marketing. CSL was established in the Fall of 2003, and is structured as a non-profit organization with a high focus on advancing college sport research. The laboratory does not sell physical, tangible products.

Contact Information:
Dr. Shane Hudson shudson@tamu.edu

Director(s):
Dr. Shane Hudson (Director)
Kayla Jones (Assistant Director)

Member(s):

  • Dr. Jason Penry
  • Dr. Melody Alanis

Webpage:
College Sports Lab – Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas

Other Important Info:
The College Sports Lab (CSL) is seeking Master’s students to join the lab.

Integrative Muscle Biology Laboratory (IMB)

About:
My Integrative Muscle Biology Laboratory employs molecular biology techniques with in vivo and in vitro models to examine the regulation of skeletal muscle anabolic and metabolic plasticity. To this end, I have used preclinical models of disuse, exercise, overload, and stimulated muscle contraction systemic during disruptions involving aging, hypogonadism, sex differences, cancer, and obesity. My research expertise includes physiological modeling in preclinical disease models and whole-body measurements of function, health, and survival in preclinical cancer and treatment models. In addition, I have investigated a range of cellular signaling mechanisms and physiological processes relevant to cancer treatments. My research on these topics encompasses over 125 peer-reviewed publications in journals, which have been cited over 11,000 times.

Contact Information:
Dr. James Carson jamescarson@tamu.edu

Director(s):
Dr. James Carson

Active Projects:

  • Muscle GPRC6A receptor and osteocalcin regulation of skeletal muscle protein turnover with increased use and disuse recovery.
  • Regulation of physical function and skeletal muscle metabolic signaling during and after cessation of chemotherapy.
  • The role of physical inactivity and metabolic dysfunction in the regulation of cachexia in tumor-bearing mice.

Sport Experience Management (SXM) Laboratory

About:
Our team adopts an interdisciplinary approach to explore fundamental yet revealing questions about sporting experiences. We utilize a combination of psychometric, biometric, and data-analytic techniques to delve into human emotions and behaviors, with a particular focus on consumer neuroscience, eye-tracking research, sport analytics, and the optimal experience in sports. Our current projects include investigating how sports fans consciously and subconsciously engage with advertisements during events and examining the psychological and physiological changes that occur in fans experiencing sports in technology-mediated environments.

Contact Information:
Dr. Hyun-Woo Lee hwlee@tamu.edu | Phone: (979) 845-3783

Director(s):
Dr. Hyun-Woo Lee

Member(s):

  • Fan Ding (PhD student)
  • ​Donghyun Kim (PhD student)
  • Yelim Yoo (PhD student)

Active Projects:
Social Psychology of Sport Fans

Website:
https://sites.google.com/tamu.edu/sxmlab/home

Positive Sport Organizational Behavior (PSOB) Laboratory

About:
The Positive Sport Organizational Behavior (PSOB) Laboratory is dedicated to advancing the field of sport management through the lens of positive organizational behavior. Our mission is to conduct research that enhances individuals’ well-being in sport organizations, bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application. Congruently, we aspire to cultivate the next generation of sport management scholars and professionals by fostering an environment of academic excellence and industry collaboration.

Contact Information:
m.kim@tamu.edu

Director(s):
Minjung Kim, PhD

Member(s):

  • Minjung Kim, PhD (Texas A&M University)
  • Brent D. Oja, PhD (Louisiana State University)
  • Clarie C. Zvosec, PhD (Louisiana State University)
  • Han Soo Kim, PhD (University of North Florida)
  • Sean Dahlin, PhD (Central Washington University)
  • Christos Anagnostopoulos, PhD (Hamad Bin Khalifa University)
  • Jasamine Hill, PhD (University of Florida)
  • Chanwook Do (Texas A&M University)
  • Paul Yuseung Doh (Texas A&M University)

Active Projects:

  • Sport Consumer Well-Being
  • Sport Employee Growth
  • Sport Business Analytics
  • Company Sport

Webpage:
https://sites.google.com/tamu.edu/psob/

Relevant Information:
The PSOB laboratory has three primary goals:

  • Research Excellence: We strive to deepen the understanding of positive organizational behavior in sport and its influence on individual well-being by conducting high-quality research.
  • Knowledge Exchange: We are committed to disseminating our research findings to sport communities, businesses, and organizations, promoting an exchange of knowledge between academia and industry.
  • Educational Enrichment: We aim to inspire and educate sport management students by immersing them in research that intersects sport management and positive organizational behavior, preparing them to become scholars in the field.

Neuromuscular Coordination Laboratory

About:
The Neuromuscular Coordination Laboratory (NCL) is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the neural control of human movement. Our research focuses on the mechanisms and constraints that influence neural control, with a particular emphasis on bimanual coordination and manual force control. Our approach is distinguished by its dual focus on theoretical and applied questions. The theoretical research explores the complexities of bimanual coordination, while the applied research aims to develop tools and techniques to enhance bimanual control, with significant implications for rehabilitation and space exploration.

The NCL is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including a custom aluminum tilting platform to simulate various gravitational loads, a body weight support system, a drive simulator, force plates, force transducers, a wireless EMG system, and a custom manual control lever system. These tools enable our cutting-edge investigations, such as the NASA-funded project on the effects of altered gravity on bimanual coordination. In addition to space exploration, our research extends to clinical applications, particularly improving motor control in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. This interdisciplinary approach benefits from collaborations with the Robert Conte Foundation for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders and Rock Steady Boxing College Station, enhancing patient outcomes. At the NCL, we strive to translate our research findings into practical applications that improve motor control in both healthy and diseased populations, contributing to advancements in rehabilitation and enhancing human performance in challenging environments.

Contact Information:
Deanna Kennedy, PhD hpedmk@tamu.edu

Member(s):

  • Brock Balthazor
  • Lisa Bricker
  • Madison Weinrich

Collaborator(s):

  • Ana Diaz Artiles, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University
  • Bonnie Dunbar, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University
  • James E. Hubbard Jr., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
  • Osmar P. Neto, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Anhembi Morumbi University, Brazil
  • Stefan Panzer, Department of Training Sciences, University of Saarland, Germany
  • Ya Wang, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
  • Yiyu Wang, Department of Psychology, Princeton University

Active Projects:

  • Effects of altered gravity on perception and bimanual coordination: Impacts of functional performance.
  • Effects of simulated microgravity on functional movement in Parkinson’s patients
  • Integrated feedback and augmented reality for individuals with Parkinson’s disease

News:

Molecular Muscle Physiology Laboratory

About:
The Molecular Muscle Physiology Laboratory focuses on the molecular biology of exercise, specifically on determining the molecular mechanisms by which regular exercise mitigates the loss of muscle mass caused by several distinct conditions. We are particularly interested in the communication between the immune system and skeletal muscle, and especially on the relationship between oxidative stress and inflammation, and its impact on the regulation of skeletal muscle mass.

Contact Information:
m.janinigomes@tamu.edu

Director(s):
Mariana Janini Gomes, PhD

Member(s):

  • Daniela Inoue Yoshimura, PhD – Postdoctoral Researcher
  • Dillon Harris, MS – Doctoral Student
  • Quinten Pigg, MS – Doctoral Student

Active projects:

  • Effects of cardiac cachexia and exercise on rat skeletal muscle.
  • Effects of aging and aerobic exercise on rat skeletal muscle.
  • Effects of exercise and GLP-1 receptor agonists on acute and chronic doxorubicin-induced cardiac and skeletal muscle toxicity in rats.
  • The role of small vesicles in skeletal muscle remodeling in response to exercise.

Exercise and Sport Nutrition Lab (ESNL)

About:
The Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab (ESNL) is dedicated to studying the effects of exercise and nutrition on health, performance, disease, and rehabilitation. The ESNL serves as an international leader in how to optimize health and performance in children, athletes, adults, and the elderly through exercise, diet, and nutritional interventions. Since Dr. Kreider began this work in 1987, researchers and doctoral students who have been trained in the ESNL have published over 4,000 peer-reviewed articles, been cited over 200,000 times in the literature, and have been instrumental in establishing sports nutrition as a professional and academic field within kinesiology.

Contact Information:
Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab
Human Clinical Research Facility
675 John Kimbrough Blvd.
Building #1542
College Station, TX 77843-4253
Phone: 979.458.1498
Fax: 979.845.0837
Email: esnl.tamu.edu

Director(s):
Richard B. Kreider, PhD, FACSM, FISSN, FACN, FNAK
rbkreider@tamu.edu

Staff:

  • Chris Rasmussen, MS, MX, CSCS, EPC – Lab Coordinator
  • Ryan Sowinski, PhD – Research Specialist I
  • Drew E. Gonzalez, PhD – Research Associate
  • J.P. Bramhall, MD – Medical Supervisor
  • Peter Murano, PhD – Quality Assurance Supervisor

Research Network and Collaborators:

  • Anthony L. Almada, MSc (President & Chief Scientific Officer, ImagiNutrition)
  • Nicholas Barringer, MS, RD, PhD – US Army – USAREIM (Ret)
  • Diego A. Bonilla, cPhD (DBSS Research Division & Associate Researcher, Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas, COLOMBIA)
  • Bill Campbell, PhD (School of Physical Education and Exercise Science, University of South Florida)
  • Roberto Cannataro, MSc (DBSS Research Division & Galascreen Laboratories, University of Calabria, Rende, ITALY)
  • Matt Cooke, PhD (University of Swinburne, AUSTRALIA)
  • Patti Cowan, PhD, RN (College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)
  • Ana Gisele dos Santos (Universidade Federal do Paraná, BRAZIL)
  • Maria Diaz-Artiles, PhD (Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University)
  • Bonnie J Dunbar, PhD (Department of Aerospace Engineering, Texas A&M University)
  • Paul Greenhaff, PhD (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, ENGLAND)
  • Lori Greenwood, PhD, ATC, LAT (Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University)
  • Jorge Mario Velez-Gutierrez, MSc (DBSS Research Division & Artrhos Centro de Fisioterapia y Ejercicio, Medellín, COLOMBIA)
  • Travis Harvey, PhD (USSOCOM)
  • Gustavo Humeres, MSc (DBSS Research Division & Instituto de Ciencias de Rehabilitación y el Movimiento, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA)
  • Andrew Jagim, PhD (Mayo Clinic)
  • Doug Kalman, PhD, FISSN (Nova University)
  • Chad Kerksick, PhD (Lindenwood University)
  • Jana Kočí, PhD (DBSS Research Division & Assistant Professor, Charles University, Prague, CZECH Republic)
  • Richard Linnehan, DVM (NASA – Johnson Space Center – TAMUS)
  • Sarkis Meterissian, MD, CM (Cedars Breast Centre, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Quebec, CANADA)
  • Salvador Vargas Molina, MSc (DBSS Research Division & Lecturer, EADE University of Wales, SPAIN)
  • Peter Murano, PhD (Institute for Obesity Research & Program Evaluation, Texas A&M University)
  • Jorge Luis Petro Soto, MSc (DBSS Research Division & Senior Researcher, GICAFS – Universidad de Córdoba, COLOMBIA)
  • Mayra A. Márquez Rodríguez (DBSS Research Division & Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, COLOMBIA)
  • Lem Taylor, PhD (Department of Exercise & Sport Science, University of Mary-Hardin Baylor)
  • Susanne Talcott, PhD (Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Texas A&M University)
  • Mark Tarnopolsky, MD, PhD, FRCP(C) (Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Ontario, CANADA)
  • Per Tesch, PhD (Mid Sweden University & Karolinska Institute, SWEDEN)
  • Colin Wilborn, PhD (Department of Exercise & Sport Science, University of Mary-Hardin Baylor)
  • Robert Wolfe, PhD (Vice-Chair of Center for Translational Research, Professor, Department of Geriatrics, Reynolds Institute of Aging, University of Arkansas Reynolds Institute on Aging)

Active Funded Projects:

  • Effects of Chromium, Phyllanthus emblica and Shilajit supplementation (Crominex®3+) and Phyllanthus emblica fruit extract (Capros™) on markers of cardiovascular health, fitness, and weight loss in sedentary and overweight men and women initiating an exercise program. Natreon, Inc.
  • Effects of Ashwagandha and Paraxanthine Ingestion on Executive Function, Pharmacokinetics, and Cognitive Function after Exercise. Increnovo.
  • Effects of Tart Cherry Ingestion on Food-Induced Serum Uric Acid Elevation. Anderson Global Group.
  • A cross-over comparator study between Ester-C® and ascorbic acid evaluating acute pharmacokinetics in adult women and men. Nature’s Bounty/Nestles.
  • A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study of the Effect of BrainPhyt on Cognitive Function in Healthy Older Individuals. MicroPhyt.
  • Impact of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Markers of Cardiometabolic Health and Tactical Performance among Firefighters. AstaReal, Inc.
  • Effects of ginger supplementation on markers of inflammation, joint health, and functional capacity in individuals with mild to moderate joint pain. Increnovo and Specnova. Kreider (PI), $132,110, 2023-2024.
  • Effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharide Ingestion on Weight Loss and Markers of Health. Advanced Protein Technologies Corp. (South Korea). Kreider (PI), $231,687, 2023-2024.
  • Longitudinal Investigation of Sociocultural and Behavioral Influences on Symptom Management, Biological Response, and Functioning Between Chinese and White Breast Cancer Survivors. J Wang (PI). NIH Cancer Control and Population Sciences – Cancer Survivorship Research. Grant #5R01CA248413-02 sub-award.
  • Effects of Plant-Based Probiotic Supplementation on Weight Loss and Markers of Health. Increnovo, LLC.
  • Bioavailability of a Beaded Creatine Delivery System on Plasma Creatine Levels and Whole Body Creatine Retention. Increnovo, LLC.
  • Effects of Cysteine-Rich Whey Protein Supplementation on Glutathione Levels in Middle-Aged Men and Women. Immunotec.
  • Effects of pork protein ingestion prior to and following performing the Army Combat Fitness Test on markers of catabolism, inflammation, and recovery. USDA National Pork Board.
  • Wood Nootropics, EXercise, and DieT Research Initiative on Cognition, Health and Aging. Wood Next Foundation.

Human Sensorimotor Control Lab

About:
The Human Sensorimotor Control Lab is dedicated to unraveling the mechanisms of the nervous system that control human sensorimotor functions. Our research employs cutting-edge, noninvasive brain stimulation techniques, including magnetic, electrical, and ultrasound stimulation. We also utilize advanced neurophysiological methods like HD-EMG and EEG alongside biomechanical tools like robotic exoskeletons and motion capture systems. Our primary objective is to deepen our understanding of the neural processes that regulate human sensorimotor behaviors. We are committed to innovating and advancing rehabilitation technologies for neurological disorders. Our aim is to develop effective strategies that enhance rehabilitation techniques and significantly improve the quality of life for individuals affected by these conditions.

Director:
Yuming Lei, PhD
Email: yxl907@tamu.edu

Member(s):

  • Research Scientist: Shancheng Bao, PhD
  • Postdoctoral Research Associate: Ashwini Ajit, PhD, PT; Lin Hou, PhD
  • PhD Students: Rob Escalante; Hossein Soroushi; Paz Montenegro; Sara Abbasikamazani
  • Program Aide: James Khim; Sarah Bartley

Project(s):

  • Enhancing Motor Memory Consolidation through Neuromodulation of Cortical and Subcortical Circuits
  • Regulating Somatosensory Processing through Thalamic and Cortical Sensory Stimulation
  • Exploring Sensory-Motor Integration in Motor Control and Learning
  • Investigating Motor Unit Activity and Synaptic Inputs to Motoneurons

Redȯx Biology Laboratory

About

The Redox Biology Laboratory studies reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (e.g., nitric oxide) on skeletal and cardiac muscle biology and pathology. Our research scope ranges from mechanistic to applied, translational research. We primarily focus on the challenges of spaceflight, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aging, and metabolic diseases. Gene therapy, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, exercise, etc., are used as interventions to mitigate the hazardous effects of excessive oxidative stress in triggering pathology.

The Redox Biology Laboratory is housed on the third floor of the Gilchrist Building, with shared access to state-of-the-art fluorescent and confocal microscopy, protein and biochemical imaging, tissue processing, histology, gene therapy, cell culture, StrexCell uniaxial stretch system, -80°C freezers, autoclave, dedicated dissection areas, fume hoods, BSL-2 biosafety cabinets, etc.

Contact Information

Redox Biology Laboratory

354 Gilchrist Bldg.
2929 Research Blvd.
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843

Director: Dr. John M. Lawler, PhD

Members

Faculty/PhD students/Collaborators:

  • Dr. John Lawler, PhD (KNSM, Nutrition)
  • Dr. Khaled Kamal, PhD (Iowa State University) *Research Scientist in the Redox Biology Laboratory, new Assistant Professor at ISU
  • Ms. Mariam Othman (PhD candidate)
  • Mr. Joo-Hyun Kim (PhD candidate)
  • Mr. Mickael Gergeis (BS Biomedical Engineering candidate)
  • Mr. Anish Kumaran (BS Biomedical Sciences candidate)

Collaborators:

  • Dr. Jim Fluckey, PhD (KNSM) – Director: Muscle Biology Laboratory, Associate Dean – Research (CEHD)
  • Dr. John Ford, PhD (Dept. of Nuclear Engineering)
  • Dr. Sarah White-Springer, PhD (Dept. of Animal Science, KNSM)
  • Dr. Peter Nghiem, DVM, PhD (Dept. of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences)
  • Dr. Aaron Morton, PhD (KNSM)
  • Dr. Mariana Janini Gomes, PhD (KNSM)
  • Dr. Yuxiang Sun, MD, PhD (Dept. of Nutrition)
  • Dr. Susanne Talcott, PhD (Dept. of Food Science & Technology)
  • Dr. Mari Muthuchamy, PhD (Dept. of Medical Physiology)
  • Dr. Daniel Alge, PhD (Dept. of Biomedical Engineering)
  • Dr. James Carson, PhD (Huffines Institute)
Active Projects
  • Adversarial Role of RANKL and SIRT-1 in spaceflight-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.
  • Combination of fish oil and pectin in the diet protects against damage and inflammation of the heart exposed to Space Radiation.
  • Targeting the Myeloid Cell (immune cell: macrophage, monocyte) ghrelin receptor slows inflammation, loss of nitric oxide synthase, damage, fibrosis in aging skeletal muscle.
  • Infusion of Unacylated Ghrelin reduces pathology of skeletal muscle in mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
  • Combining inhibition or RANKL and Nox2 to “short circuit” pathology with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
  • Development of a uniaxial stretch Bioreactor to test the effects of Spaceflight on mechanotransduction in skeletal muscle.
Lab Webpage

https://rbscl.tamu.edu/

Grant Support
  • NASA Space Biology
  • NASA Human Research Program
  • FightDMD Foundation

Pending: NIH, NASA, DOD

Prospective PhD Students

Contact Dr. John Lawler:

John M. Lawler, PhD
Professor and Director: Redox Biology & Cell Signaling Lab.
305 Gilchrist Bldg.
2929 Research Pkwy
Dept. of Kinesiology & Sport Management
Faculty of Nutrition
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843

Email: jml2621@tamu.edu