Summer Cook

Summer Cook is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire, affiliated with the College of Health and Human Services. She holds a Ph.D. in Science Education & Exercise Science from Syracuse University. Her research focuses on aging, athletic performance, neuromuscular function, and blood flow restricted resistance training. Cook has received funding from NIH and ACSM, and awards including the 2014 Outstanding New Investigator Award and 2025 Hamel Mentorship Award.

Education: Ph.D. (Syracuse University), M.S. (Syracuse University), B.S. (East Stroudsburg University). She teaches courses in exercise physiology, aging, and research methods. Over 15 years, she has advised numerous undergraduate and graduate students, mentoring award-winning research projects.

Research spans neuromuscular adaptations, sarcopenia, and exercise interventions for older adults. Notable grants include NIH funding for blood flow restricted training studies and collaborations on obesity interventions. Active in professional organizations like ACSM, she presents widely on her work. Her lab explores innovative training modalities and aging-related physical function.