Human Performance Laboratory Faculty & Staff

• Ph.D., Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, 1981
• M.S., Exercise Physiology, Calif. State Univ., Fullerton, 1973
• B.S., Physical Education, Calif. State Univ., Fullerton, 1971

Effects of contraceptive use in women on thermoregulation, exercise heat tolerance, immune, and hormonal responses; Influence of anti-inflammatory and opioid drug administration on cytokine, growth factor, and hormonal responses following eccentric exercise induced muscle damage; Effects of an increase in protein intake on muscle protein utilization in endurance athletes; The role of ethnicity in the post-exercise hypotensive response among women.

• Ph.D. Ball State University, Human Performance Laboratory, 1983
• M.Ed. University of Toledo, 1976
• B.Ed. University of Toledo, 1971

Physiological responses to exercise, dietary interventions (i.e., sport drinks, low salt diets, glucose-electrolyte solutions), human heat tolerance, pharmacologic influences on thermoregulation, heat acclimatization in athletes and military personnel, fluid-electrolyte balance in tennis players, fluid consumption, heat exhaustion, heat stress monitors, heat illness, casualty rates at summer road races, and cooling of heatstroke patients.

• Ph.D., Zoology and Physiology, The University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 1984
• M. S., Exercise Physiology, The University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 1978
• B.S., Health Education and Physical Education, The University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, LaCrosse, WI, 1975

The underlying physiological basis for adaptations to resistance training, endocrinology of exercise, nutritional supplementation, aging, women's health, Down syndrome, youth fitness, sports medicine, and sport science.

• Ph.D. University of Connecticut, 1986 (exercise science)
• M.A., University of Connecticut, 1981 (exercise science)
• B.S., University of Connecticut, 1977 (biology sciences/education)

Genetic determinants of the immediate antihypertensive effects of exercise, habitual participation in physical activity, and the muscle strength and size response to resistance training; the influence of statins on muscle function; and exercise as an intervention for hazardous drinking among college students.

• Ph.D. Michigan State University, 1993
• M.S. Michigan State University, 1988
• B.A. Hope College, 1984

Dr. VanHeest's primary research goal is to understand the factors that control physiological functioning in females across the lifecycle. To date, she has areas of research including, (1) the evaluation of hormonal and metabolic factors increasing childrena€?s risk for obesity and its associated diseases, (2) the evaluation of developmental and elite level athletes in response to exercise and nutritional interventions and (3) the evaluation of the role of pregnancy in both teens and adults as a risk factor for obesity.

• Ph.D. University of Connecticut, 1997
• M.S. University of Florida, 1993
• B.S. Allegheny College, 1990

Dehydration,Rehydration, Hydration Status, Exercise in the Heat, Exertional Heat Illnesses, Nutritional Ergogenic Aids Influence on Hydration Status and Thermoregulation, Body Cooling (cooling hyperthermic athletes), Thermal Physiology, Intravenous Rehydration.

• Ph.D. Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, 1999
• M.S. Exercise Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 1995
• B.S. Dietetics, Michigan State University, 1991

My primary area of research is focused on physiological adaptations to low carbohydrate diets with emphasis on outcomes related to metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

I primarily use prospective diet and/or exercise interventions and use sophisticated cellular techniques to understand changes in adiposity, fatty acid and lipoprotein metabolism, inflammation, vascular function, and endocrine adaptations.

I also have interests in sports nutrition including studies evaluating a wide range of dietary supplements.

• University of Michigan Medical School MD 1990
• Internship / Residency - University of Connecticut / St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center
• Family Practice Residency 1990-1995 University of Connecticut Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship 1993-1994

• Ph.D. Exercise Science, University of Connecticut, 2005
• M.S. Exercise Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 1999
• B.S. Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, 1995

My broad research interests are in the areas of adolescent health, physical activity, dietary eating patterns, dietary carbohydrate restriction and obesity in youth and minority populations. Specifically, prospective investigations examining the effects of supplementation on responses to resistance exercise and sustainable community interventions to promote and evaluate in-school and after-school at risk youth in urban areas.

• B.S. Medical Technology, University of Scranton, 2000
• M.S. Biochemistry, University of Scranton, 2002
• Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Florida, 2008

• Adiponectin and Progestin Receptors and Signal Transduction.
• The Effects of Exercise and Nutrition on Blood Coagulation.