Chi-An W. Emhoff

Chi-An W. Emhoff serves as Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Interim Director of the School of Science at Saint Mary's College of California, where she also chairs the Kinesiology Department and coordinates the Exercise Science track within the School of Liberal Arts.

Her educational foundation includes:

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• M.S. in Human Physiology from University of Oregon
• Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Emhoff's research centers on energy metabolism adaptations in endurance training, with specialized focus on female athletes and chronic disease prevention. Her work examines carbohydrate storage/utilization mechanisms and metabolic flexibility through clinical exercise physiology, integrating perspectives from engineering and biology to address gaps in women's health research.

Recent publications (2023-2025) reveal three dominant research trajectories: lactate metabolism methodologies (including clamp techniques), endurance adaptations in clinical populations (e.g., sickle cell disease), and hormonal interactions with exercise metabolism (particularly prolactin). These studies demonstrate increasing translational focus on metabolic health interventions.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Intercultural Center’s Dean Grace Cardenas-Tolentino Award (2024)
• 2024-2025 Provost Research Grant
• Fulbright US-France Scholar Award (2022)
• Invited Researcher Award from Université Savoie Mont Blanc (2022)
• Emerging Professional Award (2018)

As an educator, Dr. Emhoff implements active learning frameworks across kinesiology curricula while mentoring through Engineer Girl to advance women in STEM. Her Fulbright and Provost grants support international collaborations examining metabolic flexibility, with current projects investigating exercise interventions for hemoglobinopathies and hormonal impacts on athletic performance. She leads departmental initiatives integrating engineering principles into exercise science pedagogy.