Tracy Baynard

Tracy Baynard is a Professor in the Department of Exercise & Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she also serves as Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Education in the Provost's Office. Her research focuses on clinical exercise physiology, particularly cardiovascular and autonomic responses to exercise in individuals with chronic conditions such as Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Her expertise lies in understanding how exercise can be optimized to improve health outcomes in special populations who often experience extreme exercise intolerance. She investigates the interplay between autonomic dysfunction, vascular regulation, and metabolic health, aiming to develop targeted interventions for these vulnerable groups.

Her recent publications highlight trends in cerebrovascular dynamics, post-exercise hypotension, autonomic regulation, and vascular responses in obesity and neurodevelopmental disorders. Her work frequently employs acute and chronic exercise paradigms to assess physiological adaptations, with a strong emphasis on translational research and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Dr. Baynard earned her PhD from Syracuse University and has over 20 years of experience in clinical and research settings. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles, primarily in physiology and rehabilitation journals.

She collaborates extensively with researchers across institutions and disciplines, particularly in studies involving special populations. Her laboratory examines mechanisms underlying reduced physical fitness and impaired cardiovascular responses in chronic disease.