Joan M Eckerson

Dr. Joan M Eckerson is a Professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions within Creighton University's College of Arts and Sciences. Her research program centers on the intersection of nutrition, exercise physiology, and human performance, with particular expertise in dietary supplements like creatine. She investigates their effects on athletic performance, body composition, immune function, and therapeutic applications in clinical populations.

Her research interests span:

• Exercise Nutrition: Efficacy of ergogenic aids (creatine, pre-workout supplements) on athletic outcomes
• Clinical Applications: Mitigating chemotherapy-induced muscle wasting and cardiotoxicity using creatine/creatinine
• Physiological Assessment: Developing and validating performance tests (e.g., 3-min rowing test for VO2max estimation)
• Dietary Interventions: Impact of meal composition on satiety, nutrient intake, and metabolic health
• Gender-Specific Physiology: Nutritional needs and supplement responses in female athletes across the lifespan.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong trends in exercise oncology and the immunomodulatory effects of creatine. Her work demonstrates increasing focus on clinical applications beyond athletic performance, particularly using creatine/creatinine to counteract doxorubicin toxicity in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Methodologically, she employs diverse techniques from cellular models (myoblasts) to athlete testing and dietary intervention studies.

Dr. Eckerson maintains an active role in scientific dissemination, regularly presenting findings at major conferences including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). She also engages in public science communication through radio appearances discussing dietary supplements.