Megan Wenner

Megan Wenner is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology at the University of Delaware's College of Health Sciences. Her research focuses on women’s cardiovascular health across the lifespan, particularly investigating mechanisms of vascular dysfunction related to menopause, estrogen, and blood pressure regulation. She holds a PhD in Applied Physiology from the University of Delaware (2009) and completed postdoctoral training at the John B. Pierce Laboratory and Yale School of Medicine.

Her academic background includes a BS in Athletic Training (2002) and subsequent MS (2005) and PhD degrees from UD. Dr. Wenner teaches courses in clinical exercise physiology and applied physiology. She directs the Women’s Cardiovascular Research Lab, studying sex-specific mechanisms in cardiovascular health, including estrogen’s role in vascular health, sodium handling, and autonomic responses to exercise. Key areas of investigation include hypertension prevalence post-menopause, endothelin receptor function, and racial disparities in vascular function.

Her work integrates neurophysiological, molecular, and clinical approaches to understand cardiovascular regulation in diverse populations. Active research projects include examining how dietary sodium impacts blood pressure variability and sympathetic nervous system activity, as well as the effects of aerobic exercise on vascular function in perimenopausal women. Collaborative projects explore central nervous system mechanisms regulating fluid balance and hypertension.

Dr. Wenner has authored over 50 peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from endothelin biology to exercise physiology. Her lab maintains partnerships with the STAR Tower and Health Sciences Complex facilities at UD, emphasizing translational research to improve women’s cardiovascular health outcomes.