Kinesiology News
Conference Reveals Complexity of NCAA Sports–Tax Exemption Debate
Whether or not NCAA sports should be tax exempt was the focus of a recent conference co-organized by the Department of Kinesiology. Several renowned experts convened to discuss some of the complexities of this debate. Participants discussed why NCAA sports are tax exempt, how tax exemptions are regulated in other organizations, and the relationship between financial revenue and colleges’ educational missions. Read more about the conference.
Bernardo Awarded Ruth Ayers-Givens Scholarship
Dominica Bernardo (Ph.D. candidate in Psychology of Movement and Sport) has received a Ruth Ayers-Givens Scholarship from the College of Health and Human Development. This scholarship is to awarded to outstanding graduate students who have demonstrated deep concern for society. Along with their academic performance candidates are evaluated for their awareness of the interdisciplinary connections among fields of study, the importance of using their skills for the benefit of the public and courage in developing innovative ideas.
Center’s Inaugural Conference to Focus on Motor Control Research
The newly established Penn State Center for Motor Control will be hosting a conference, “Frontiers in Motor Control,” on October 30, 2009, on Penn State’s University Park campus. This is the first official event the center is hosting since its establishment. This conference provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate and learn about the new center. Read more about the conference.
Nike Scientist to Present Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series Lecture
Dr. Mario Lafortune, director of the Nike Sport Research Laboratory and Penn State alumnus, will present a lecture on Thursday, October 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the Bennett Pierce Living Center, 110 Henderson Building, on the University Park campus. The lecture is the third in the Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series sponsored by the College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society. Read more about Dr. Lafortune's lecture.
Researchers Seek Clues to Hypertension’s Origins, Impacts
Understanding how hypertension develops is the focus of a new study being conducted at Penn State. Dr. Lacy Holowatz, assistant professor of kinesiology, is the principal investigator on a five-year, $1.7 million grant funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute; $750,000 of the grant is part of the National Institutes of Health's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. Read more about this study on hypertension.
New Historical Marker Celebrates Biomechanics at Penn State
If you’re walking around The Nittany Lion Inn, keep an eye out for a new blue-and-white landmark. On Thursday, August 27, Penn State’s newest historical marker was unveiled, next to the Biomechanics Teaching Lab (also known as the “Water Tower”—located between the Inn and the Nittany Parking Deck). The marker celebrates the history and significance of the Biomechanics Lab at Penn State. Read the full story. Read more about the historical marker dedication.
Ph.D. Candidate Wins ASBMR Award
Holly Preston (Ph.D. candidate in Biomechanics) won a Young Investigator award for her research presentation, Differential Gene Expression in Mechanically Loaded Long Bone Cortices of C57BL/6J and DBA/2J Adult Female Mice. She presented at the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) meeting titled "New Frontiers in Skeletal Research: Bone, Fat and Brain Connections" in Bethesda, Maryland.
Professor Aims to Understand and Fight Leading Cause of Death in Older Women
Donna Korzick, associate professor of physiology and kinesiology, has undertaken a large-scale project using a $1.8 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, to figure out why estrogen deficiency puts women in danger for heart disease. Read the full story.
Professor Receives Faculty Scholar Medal
Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky, professor of kinesiology, is one of five professors University-wide to receive the 2009 Faculty Scholar Medal. Zatsiorsky's medal honors his research in the area of life and health sciences. Read the full story.
Doctoral Student Receives Award
Giampietro "John" Vairo, Ph.D. candidate in Kinesiology, Athletic Training is the receipient of a 2009 Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association (EATA) Frank George Scholarship Award. John received his award at the 2009 EATA meeting and symposium in Boston, January 9-12, 2009.
Slobounov Named AAKPE Fellow
Dr. Semyon Slobounov was named as an Active Fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education (AAKPE) during an induction ceremony held on Saturday, September 27, 2008. The Academy’s membership is considered a “who’s who” list of the top individuals in the fields of kinesiology and physical education. In order to be elected into membership, individuals must be currently engaged in professional and/or scientific work in kinesiology or physical education, and have demonstrated competence in this profession/discipline over a period of at least ten years (significant contributions to scholarly and professional literature, leadership activities in professional associations and learned societies). The AAKPE was established in 1926 to recognize outstanding scholars in the study of physical activity. Since 1926, 491 individuals nationwide have been inducted into the Academy as Active Fellows.
Zatriosky Receives Research Award
Vladamir Zatsiorsky, Ph.D., has been selected to receive the Jim Hay Memorial Award for Research in Sports and Exercise Biomechanics. Dr. Zatsiorsky will receive this award in August at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics in August 2008. The Hay Award selection is based on research's originality, quality, depth, and relevance to the field of sports and exercise biomechanics. The Jim Hay Memorial Award for Research in Sports and Exercise Biomechanics was established in 2004 through the support of the Hay family and additional donors to recognize outstanding career accomplishment and is awarded annually to an investigator who has conducted exemplary research in the area of sports and exercise science biomechanics.
Eight Kinesiology Undergraduate Students Receive Awards
The Department Scholarship Committee has selected eight undergraduate Kinesiology majors to receive summer funding awards through the Rumpelstielzchen Student Endowment and the Marie Underhill Noll Endowment for Undergraduate Research.
The Rumpelstielzchen Student Endowment is supportive of undergraduate summer internship experiences, and the intent is to “promote the concept of exercising for fitness by enhancing the professional competence of students preparing to enter the profession.” Rumpelstielzchen Student Endowment funds were awarded to Amanda Hess and Ashley Zielger.
The purpose of the Marie Underhill Noll Endowment award is to “promote exposure of undergraduates to a research environment and stimulate interest in graduate education research.” Noll Endowment funds were awarded to Michael Kalil, advised by Dr. Donna Korzick; Carolyn Reece, advised by Dr. Mary Jane De Souza; Emile Ott, advised by Dr. Steriani Elavasky; Allison Tolnai, advised by Dr. David Conroy; Thomas Novak, advised by Dr. Stephen Piazza; and Jessi Ritegno, advised by Dr. Jinger Gottschall. (June 2008).
Doctoral Student Receives Research Scholarship
Giampietro "John" Vairo, Ph.D. candidate in Kinesiology, Athletic Training is the receipient of a 2008 National Athletic Trainers' Association Research and Education Foundation Doctoral Scholarship. (April 2008).
Kinesiology Student Receives Leadership Award
Michelle LaBoda, senior Kinesiology major, has been selected for the 2008 Ralph Dorn Hetzel Memorial Award. This University-wide award recognizes achievement and potential of outstanding students who have demostrated the qualities of leadership. The awards ceremony was held April 5, 2008.
Gravish Receives Advising Award
Lori Gravish, instructor in the Department of Kinesiology and wellness coordinator for the Village at Penn State has been selected for the 2008 Penn State Excellence in Advising Award. The award, established by the Undergraduate Student Government's Academic Assembly and sponsored by each college, annually honors faculty and advisers. (April 2008).