Christina Buchanan

Christina Buchanan is a Professor in the Recreation, Exercise & Sport Science Department and a faculty member in the Applied Exercise Science and Performance Graduate Program at Western Colorado University. She has been a full-time lecturer since 2004 and is actively involved in program development and research.

Dr. Buchanan holds a PhD in Education and Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University (2008), an MS in Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University (2001), and a BA in Anthropology from Mount Holyoke College (1995).

Her research interests focus on genetics and health outcomes, particularly in studying Tibetan women in Nepal, and she emphasizes the evolving nature of Exercise Science and Physiology. She is proud of the program’s impact on students’ ability to improve health and performance in real-world settings.

Professional highlights include co-coordinating the Celebration of Scholarship, directing the First Year Seminar program, developing the Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Science: Applied Exercise Science and Performance (HAEP), and leading the HAEP program. She teaches courses such as Quantitative Research Methods and oversees thesis development in her graduate program.

Buchanan is also affiliated with the School of Graduate Studies and contributes to areas like Clinical Exercise Science, Sport Management, and Health and Fitness Education. Her work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, reflecting her background in anthropology and health sciences.

In her research group, she collaborates on field studies examining genetics and maternal health in high-altitude environments. The HAEP program, under her direction, bridges academic rigor with practical application, offering students pathways to advanced expertise.