On behalf of our faculty and staff, welcome to the summer 2016 Department of Kinesiology newsletter. Here you will find a vast array of information and news about our graduate and undergraduate academic programs and students, and our faculty, research and alumni.
It has been my pleasure to serve as department head for nearly two years now. As I approach 19 years with the department, I am both amazed and thrilled to see the growth and positive changes that have occurred in the department. We have truly extraordinary faculty committed to providing our more than 700 undergraduates and more 40 graduate students with an excellent education. Research by our faculty seeks to discover new knowledge related to physical activity and health, and translate this knowledge to improve people’s lives. Our faculty and students are creative and industrious as they successfully work together to achieve this goal. Also, since joining the College of Human Ecology three years ago, our department is receiving some unique opportunities for our faculty and students.
Brad Behnke is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and a member of the Johnson Cancer Research Center at K-State. He earned his doctorate in physiology from K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and became a postdoctoral fellow in cardiovascular physiology at Texas A&M University and at the West Virginia University School of Medicine. In 2008, Behnke joined the faculty at the University of Florida and began studying integrative cancer physiology, with a focus on systemic manipulation of the tumor microenvironment to enhance treatment outcomes. While at Florida, he was a member of the University of Florida Cancer Center and Hypertension Center.
Steven Copp, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, studies how the autonomic nervous system and the cardiovascular system respond to exercise. Specifically, he is interested in understanding how the adjustments of those systems produce increases in blood pressure during exercise and why that increase is exaggerated in many forms of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. An exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise increases an individual’s risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Emily Diederich is a pulmonary and critical care physician at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She serves as director of simulation for the Zamierowski Institute of Experiential Learning, a training center for health care students and professionals from the University of Kansas Hospital and KU Medical Center. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from K-State in kinesiology, followed by a medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and a fellowship at the KU School of Medicine. She is board certified in internal medicine, with sub-certifications in pulmonary diseases and critical care medicine. Diederich serves as co-chair of the American College of Chest Physicians Difficult Airway Simulation Course.
Brett Bartholomew is a strength and conditioning coach at Unbreakable Performance Center in Los Angeles, California. He is also a partner in the company and director of performance, overseeing the programming and coaching for athletes across all sporting domains. Bartholomew has worked with Olympic, professional, amateur, collegiate and high school athletes in more than 23 sports worldwide, including Canadian and Chinese Olympic athletes, world championship rugby teams, members of the U.S. Special Forces, NFL players from all 32 teams, UFC fighters and amateur boxers.
Dylan Bassett is a senior in kinesiology, exercise physiology, and pre-physical therapy from Salina, Kansas. He plans to attend the physical therapy school at the University of Kansas in Kansas City. His involvement at K-State includes: vice president of the Kinesiology Student Association, director of university projects of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, Theta Xi Fraternity, Cadaver Team Practicum, and a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club. Dylan has earned the 2016 American Kinesiology Association Undergraduate Scholar Award and the Dane Hansen Award. In his spare time, Dylan enjoys boxing and taught himself to juggle.
Katelyn Gilmore is in the Master of Public Health program with an emphasis in physical activity. She has bachelor degrees in kinesiology and nutrition from K-State. Currently, Katelyn studies functional training, exercise behaviors, built environment and nutrition in Dr. Heinrich’s lab. From Aurora, Colorado, Katelyn hopes to return to Colorado and teach, research and conduct community outreach. She is currently involved in the American College of Sports Medicine, the Kansas Public Health Association and the National Restaurant Association. Katelyn has been awarded the 2016 American Kinesiology Association Masters Scholar Award and the Green Action Fund award. She is currently learning Spanish, French and Italian and has visited over 25 countries. Katelyn enjoys rowing, in and out of water.
Joshua Smith is a kinesiology doctoral candidate from Fishers, Indiana, and he works in Dr. Harms’ lab researching how the cardiopulmonary system limits exercise. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Indiana University and a master’s degree in kinesiology from Kansas State University. He has been awarded the 2016 American Kinesiology Association Doctoral Scholar Award, the 2015 Kinesiology Department Outstanding Doctoral Student Award and the 2014 Joint Commission on Sports Medicine and Science second runner up Graduate Fellow. Josh’s future plans include marrying his fiancée Bethany in October, graduating in May 2017 and either post-doc work or a tenure track position. He enjoys running and Hogan’s Heroes.
The scholarship winners in the Department of Kinesiology were recognized at a banquet April 14, 2016. The following students were awarded scholarships: Brittany Ziegler, Pauline Compton Scholarship; Alexandra Herrmann, Ito Family Scholarship; Katelyn Bell, Eva Lyman Memorial Scholarship; Mary Donnelly, Barbara Moses Memorial Scholarship; Lindsey Unrein and Madison Epp, Mary Lois Rynders Sykes Scholarship; Kelli Stallbaumer, Darlene J. Meisner Peniston Memorial Scholarship; Evan Kempf, Larry Noble Fitness Promotion Scholarship; Danielle Kastner, T.M. Mickey Evans Outstanding Freshman; Bradyn Nicholson, Kenneth D. Mosely Scholarship; Stephanie Kurti, Outstanding Graduate Doctoral Student; Trenton Colburn, Outstanding Graduate Master’s Student; and Katlyn Smith, Kelsie Carpenter and Vanessa Turpin, department scholars.
The College of Human Ecology is seeking mentors for the Professional Mentoring Program. Juniors, seniors and graduate students are matched with career professionals who have at least five years of work experience in related academic fields. The program assists our students in bridging the gap between academics and the world of work by pairing students with sage professionals who provide career and professional advice, networking opportunities, and insight into the job market within their disciplines.