Kate Kosmac

Kate Kosmac serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Augusta University's College of Allied Health Sciences, where her research centers on skeletal muscle pathophysiology in aging and disease, with emphasis on peripheral artery disease and sarcopenia.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Neuroscience, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2013
• B.S. in Biology, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, 2006

Research Focus:

Dr. Kosmac investigates molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying muscle dysfunction through three interconnected domains:

• Muscle Aging Pathways - Cellular senescence and repair mechanisms in sarcopenia
• Vascular-Muscle Crosstalk - Impact of peripheral artery disease on muscle metabolism and function
• Post-Critical Illness Recovery - Mitochondrial dysregulation in conditions like long COVID

Her work integrates human clinical trials with molecular analyses to develop therapeutic interventions targeting inflammaging and metabolic dysregulation.

Publication Trends:

Recent work (2024-2025) demonstrates a strategic focus on translating basic science into clinical applications for peripheral artery disease, featuring randomized trials of nutraceuticals (cocoa flavanols, nicotinamide riboside) and growth factors. Parallel research examines persistent muscle pathology in critical illness survivors, revealing mitochondrial mechanisms underlying post-COVID fatigue through human tissue analyses.

Academic Service:

• PT Faculty Search Committee (2023-Present)
• CAHS Faculty Search TRIBA (2023-Present)
• University Research Space Policy Committee (2023-Present)