Faculty Research

The graduate faculty in the Division of Exercise Physiology, School of Medicine, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center at West Virginia University have developed several excellent research programs and these research endeavors have garnered national and international funding support. Graduate students have opportunities to learn new techniques and be part of this growing and exciting research program.

Aging

Sarcopenia and aging-associated limitations in the adaptability of heart and skeletal muscles to exercise, overload, injury and disuse is studied in human and non-human models. Interactions of aging on the cellular and molecular responses of muscle to overload and biomechanics of movement (Dr. Alway, Dr. Bryner, Dr. Chantler,. Dr. Haff, Dr. Cutlip, Dr. McCrory, Dr. Morissette and Dr. Williamson).

Cardiovascular Function and Dysfunction

Mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and strategies to improve cardiovascular function in disease (Dr. Chantler, Dr. Dick, Dr. Hollander, Dr. Morissette, Dr. Olfert, Dr. Frisbee and Dr. Brock).

Muscle Biology

Regulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in regulating muscle overtraining, growth and repair, using in vivo and in vitro approaches (Dr. Alway, Dr. Bryner, Dr. Cutlip, Dr. Haff, Dr. Morissette, Dr. Hollander and Dr. Velan).

Nutritional Interventions

Effects of nutrition and nutrient supplementation to modulate reactive oxygen species damage in muscles with aging (Drs. Alway, Bryner, Cutlip, Hollander, Velan) and to improve performance (Dr. Bryner and Dr. Haff).

Diabetes/Obesity

Cellular and subcellular mechanisms for exercise-induced remodeling of skeletal muscle metabolism and lipid metabolism and regulation of heart dysfunction in diabetes (Dr. Alway, Dr. Bryner, Dr. Chantler, Dr. McCrory, Dr. Cutlip, Dr. Frisbee, Dr. Hollander, Dr. Hornsby, Dr. Williamson).

Tissue Engineering, Injury and Repair

Mesenchymal stem cell-based tissue engineering and regeneration of cartilage (Dr. Pei), and repair and regeneration of skeletal muscle (Dr. Alway, Dr. Cutlip).