Dane Cook

Dr. Dane B. Cook is a Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds adjunct roles at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital and the New Jersey VA Health Care System. He directs the Exercise Psychology laboratories at both institutions and leads the Marsh Center for Research in Exercise and Movement. His research focuses on the psychobiology of exercise, particularly its impact on brain health and chronic conditions like Gulf War Illness, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Alzheimer’s Disease, and Long COVID.

Education:

• BS in Psychology, Arizona State University (1992)
• MA and PhD in Exercise Science, University of Georgia (1995, 1998)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience, UMDNJ-NJMSA (2001)

Research Priorities:

• Mechanisms of post-exertional malaise in chronic illnesses
• Exercise effects on brain structure/function and immune responses
• Role of physical activity in symptom management for Gulf War Veterans and ME/CFS patients

Collaborations:

• UW School of Medicine and Public Health
• Waisman Center
• UW Department of Psychiatry

Grants:

• VA Merit Review Grants (I01CX0011329, I01CX002616)
• NIH and Department of Defense funding

Labs/Teams:

• Cook Lab (includes PhD/Master’s students, postdocs, research specialists)
• Exercise Science Laboratory (VA Madison)