In Dr. Dempsey's laboratory, the regulation of breathing and the role of the pulmonary system in determining exercise performance is studied using a variety of physiologic approaches, including neurophysiologic recordings, animal models with isolated upper airway or extra-corporeal perfusion of the carotid chemoreceptors and measurements of the respiratory mechanics, diaphragm activity and blood flow in the exercising human. Dr. Diffee studies the regulation of contraction in skeletal and cardiac muscle and how this regulation is altered by perturbations such as exercise training, injury, or disease. Typical experiments involve measurement of contractile properties single skeletal muscle fibers and single cardiac myocytes and correlation of altered mechanical properties to changes in cell protein composition detected by biochemical and molecular biological techniques. The M.S. with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology is designed to provide the fundamental framework for understanding and conducting research in Exercise Physiology. In addition to course work in Physiology, Statistics, and Research Methods, students pursue advanced study in Exercise Physiology.
Students conduct a research project as part of the thesis requirement.
Many M.S. students have the opportunity to teach during their training. Graduates of the M.S. program often pursue further graduate training, usually in a Ph.D., M.D. or D.O. program. Other M.S. graduates immediately pursue a career in research, educational, or clinical settings. The Ph.D. with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology is designed to prepare students for scholarly research and teaching. Minor course work can be performed in Biochemistry, Nutritional Sciences, Physiology, Preventive Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Zoology, or other relevant fields.