Deborah L. Feairheller

Deborah L. Feairheller, Ph.D., FACSM, USAW-L1 serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology within the College of Education, Health and Human Services at California State University San Marcos. She directs the HEART Laboratory focused on cardiovascular adaptations to exercise and disease, with particular expertise in hypertension and endothelial function research.

Dr. Feairheller's research interests center on cardiovascular physiology, examining how lifestyle modifications affect cardiac health across different populations. Her work investigates racial differences in cardiovascular responses, gender-specific cardiovascular adaptations, and the impact of diet and exercise interventions on vascular function. She has developed validated methods including a new Mediterranean diet score for tracking dietary adherence.

As a nationally certified firefighter and technical rescue specialist, Dr. Feairheller has unique expertise in occupational health, particularly regarding cardiovascular responses in emergency responders. Her recent AHA-funded research examined blood pressure surges in firefighters during emergency alarms and how diet and exercise can mitigate these responses.

• Certificate of Research Excellence from the American Heart Association

Dr. Feairheller has over 25 years of experience in clinical health and wellness, with background in pharmaceutical R&D, regulatory support, and quality assurance. She previously served as Director of the Clinical Cardiac Program at the University of New Hampshire, developing both in-person and telehealth wellness modules for cardiac patients. Her community-based projects include cardiovascular screening in women, examining vascular stiffness across sex and race, and studying dietary habits among college students.

The HEART Laboratory under Dr. Feairheller's direction conducts non-invasive cardiovascular research with focus on hypertension awareness, blood pressure monitoring access, and understanding cardiovascular adaptations across the lifespan and diverse populations.