Faculty

Our thirteen faculty actively publish in the top journals in the field and routinely present their work at national and international conferences. Six faculty are Fellows of the American College of Sports Medicine and four have been elected Fellows of the prestigious American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Several of the faculty serve on multiple editorial boards for professional journals. All faculty members teach undergraduate and graduate courses and direct independent research programs. Several faculty participate in the university-wide Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate programs.

 

Sofiya Alhassan, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Telephone: 413-545-3475
E-mail: alhassan@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 150 Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Physical Activity and Health

Current Research Interests: Physical activity in the prevention of childhood and adolescent obesity.  In particular, the utilization of community family-based physical activity interventions to reduce early onset cardiovascular disease risk factors in ethnic-minority children.  Her research agenda also includes examining: 1) the interrelationship between physical activity and nutrition in children, and 2) environmental and media influence on various health behaviors in children.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Stanford University School of Medicine, 2007; Ph.D., Auburn University, 2004; M.S. Auburn University, 2000; B.S. Stetson University, 1996.

 

Barry Braun, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Telephone: 413-577-0146
Website: http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~braunlab/index.htm
E-mail: bbraun@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 107 Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Endocrinology and Metabolism

Dr. Braun is currently focused on understanding how exercise, dietary energy/composition and/or pharmacological agents interact to mediate insulin resistance and the risk for Type-2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is our major source of funding for work on how the combination of exercise and/or the drug metformin impact glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity at the cellular and whole-body levels. We also use stable isotope tracers to measure the regulation of substrate kinetics during exercise. Recent studies include the effects of concurrent energy surplus and exercise on insulin sensitivity, the net impact of high body fat and high cardiorespiratory fitness in women, and the utility of alternative carbohydrates to maintain optimal blood glucose control in humans with Type-2 diabetes. 

Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1993; M.S., University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1990; B.A., University of Pennsylvania, 1982.

Graham E. Caldwell, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Graduate Program Director

Telephone: 413-545-0017
E-mail: gc@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 105 Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Biomechanics, muscle mechanics and modelling

Current Research Interests: Focus of research is to examine the mechanical characteristics of skeletal muscle in coordination of segmental motion patterns. His research has used kinematic and kinetic analyses to examine movement control and coordination in sprinting, cross-country skiing, pathological gait, and cycling. A related interest is the use of forward dynamics simulation models to study muscular coordination in vertical jumping.

Ph.D., Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, 1987; M.Sc., University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 1980; B.Sc. (Honours), 1978.

Stuart R. Chipkin, M.D.

Research Professor

Telephone: 413-545-0089
E-mail: schipkin@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 25 Totman

Area of Specialization: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Current Research Interests: benefits of lifestyle modification (especially exercise) on cardiovascular risk reduction, manifestations of vascular disease in type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factor reduction in Caribbean Latinos with type 2 diabetes.

Fellowship in Endocrinology, 1988; M.D., SUNY Downstate Medical Center, 1982; B.S. Emory University, 1978.

Priscilla M. Clarkson, Ph.D.

Professor
Interim Dean, Commonwealth College

Telephone: 413-577-3902
Website: http://people.umass.edu/mbilab/
E-mail: clarkson@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 504 Goodell

Area of Specialization: Muscular Function and Dysfunction

Current Research Interests: Molecular responses of human skeletal muscle to perturbation.  Studies are underway examining how signaling pathways are altered in response to muscle damage, hypertrophy, and atrophy.   A related interest is how statins (cholesterol lowing drugs) cause myalgia and myopathy. Muscle biopsy samples are analyzed using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry techniques. Cell culture techniques are used to answer more basic questions.  Studies have also been done to examine genetic underpinnings of muscle size and function. 

Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, 1977; M.S., 1973; B.S., 1969.

Patty S. Freedson, Ph.D.

Professor
Department Chair

Telephone: 413-545-2620
E-mail: psf@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 111 Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Exercise physiology; assessment of fitness and physical activity; pediatric exercise physiology; physical activity and health in selected populations

Current Research Interests: Research interests include children's responses to exercise, physical activity assessment, and exercise and women's health. Her work focuses on determinants of performance and fitness in children and adults, development and validation of objective techniques to assess habitual physical activity in children and adults, and physical activity and health outcomes in women.

Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1980; M.S., 1976; B.S., 1975.

Joseph Hamill, Ph.D.

Professor

Telephone: 413-545-2245
Website: http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~jhamill
E-mail: jhamill@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 23B Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Biomechanics/Kinesiology

Current Research Interests: Primary research focus is in the area of mechanics of the lower extremity during locomotion. He is particularly concerned with modeling the lower extremity in an attempt to define criteria on which humans optimize during running. In addition, he is interested in mechanisms of lower extremity injury during running.

Ph.D., University of Oregon, 1981; M.S., University of Oregon, 1978; B.S. (magna cum laude), Concordia University, Montreal, Canada, 1977; B.A., York University, Toronto, Canada, 1972.

Brian E. Hunt, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Telephone: 413-545-4944
E-mail: bhunt@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 158 Totman

 

 

Area of Specialization: Cardiopulmonary and Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology

Current Research Interests: effects of age and disease on central circulatory control of blood pressure. In particular, the role arterial stiffening and deficits in neural-vascular coupling play in the age-related decline in reflex control of arterial pressure, as well as the role habitual physical activity can play in attenuating these age-related declines.

Ph.D., University of Colorado, 1998; M.S., University of Colorado, 1996; B.S. University of Northern Colorado, 1985.

Gary Kamen, Ph.D.

Professor

Telephone: 413-545-0784
Website: http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~kamen
E-mail: kamen@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 160A Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Exercise Neuroscience

Current Research Interests: Research interests concern the ability of the neuromuscular system to adapt to changing conditions. Current research projects include the development and testing of a surface-based EMG array electrode for monitoring motor unit activity, the identification of self-sustained firing activity in adaptations of motor unit discharge behavior to long-term exercise, central drive during maximal strength production, adaptations in motor unit discharge behavior during aging, motor unit synchronization, and the conjoint role of motor unit recruitment and firing rate in motor control.

Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, 1980; M.S., 1975; B.S., 1974.

Jane Kent-Braun, Ph.D.

Professor

Telephone: 413-545-9477
Website: http://www.people.umass.edu/muscle/
E-mail: janekb@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 108 Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Muscle Physiology

Current Research Interests: Primary interest is in the area of human skeletal muscle function and fatigue. In particular, her work examines the mechanisms of fatigue, and how these may vary depending upon age, gender, chronic health status and habitual physical activity level. A secondary interest is an examination of the influence that fatigue has on functional capacity.

Ph.D., University of Southern California 1987; M.A., California State University, Long Beach, 1983; B.A., 1980.

 

David Peckinpaugh, M.S.

Instructor

Telephone: 413-577-0131

E-mail: dpeck@kin.umass.edu

Campus Address: 106 Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Fitness, Exercise Assessments, Worksite Wellness, Personal Training, and Strength and Conditioning

Areas of Interest: Teaching students applied exercise testing and training techniques that will give them the skills to succeed in the health and fitness industry. With experience in managing fitness centers and a worksite wellness program for the UMass Amherst Housing and Residence Life Wellness Program, David works with the Body Shop and provides students with the opportunity for “hands-on” learning experiences.

M.S., University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2004; B.A., University of New Mexico, 1996

 

Frank Rife, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Undergraduate Program Director
Director, The Body Shop Exercise Center

Telephone: 413-545-2634
E-mail: frife@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 109 Totman

Area of Specialization: Fitness and Wellness

Current Research Interests: Director of campus wellness/fitness programs. Interests include worksite health promotion programs, exercise compliance, and fitness management.

Ph.D., Ohio State University, 1973; M.S., Brigham Young University, 1971; B.S., Trinity University, 1970.

Brian Umberger, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Telephone: 413-545-1436
Website: http://people.umass.edu/umberger/

E-mail: umberger@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 106 Totman

Area of Specialization: Biomechanics; Computer Simulation of Human Movement

Current Research Interests: Current research is focused on better understanding the mechanical and energetic aspects of normal and pathological human walking. This research is pursued using both experimental and computer simulation techniques. A related interest is how the mechanical and energetic properties of skeletal muscles influence the control and coordination of fundamental lower limb movements (e.g., stepping, pedaling, jumping, hopping, etc.).

Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2003; M.S., Springfield College, 1997; B.S., Central Connecticut State University, 1993.

Richard E.A. van Emmerik, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Telephone: 413-545-0325
E-mail: rvanemmerik@kin.umass.edu
Campus Address: 160 Totman

 

Area of Specialization: Motor Control

Current Research Interests: Dr. Van Emmerik's research is in the area of motor control and coordination. In his research, he applies principles from complex and nonlinear dynamical systems to the study of posture and locomotion. The particularly emphasis in his research is on mechanisms of stability and adaptability in movement coordination. An important research focus is the role of variability in the control of movement. He has extensive experience in the area of balance and gait disorders due to aging and neurological disease, such as Parkinson's disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990; Drs. (equivalent of U.S. M.S. degree) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Cum Laude).

Adjunct Faculty

• Edward Frederick, Ph.D., President, Exeter Research, Inc.
• David Gabriel, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dept of Physical Education and Kinesiology, Brock University
• Laurie Goodyear, Ph.D., Joslin Diabetes Center & Associate Professor, Harvard University Medical School
• Daniel Grow, M.D., Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baystate Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine
• Thomas Price, Ph.D., Research Scientist/Scholar, Dept of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine
• Gary E. Riccio, Ph.D., Managing Scientist, Exponent, Inc.
• Thomas Rowland, M.D., Baystate Medical Center, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine
• Scott Selbie, Ph.D., Director of Research and Development, C-Motion, Inc.