Skeletal Muscle Capillarization Professors and Supervisors

Steven Priorمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of Maryland, College ParkUnited States

Steven Prior is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Research in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Maryland's School of Public Health. His research focuses on translational exercise interventions to reduce aging-associated vascular and functional impairments in older adults, particularly those with cardiometabolic disorders. His work explores molecular, cellular, and whole-body contributors to diseases like type 2 diabetes and sarcopenia. Education : PhD in Kinesiology, University of Maryland College Park (2005) MA in Sport and Exercise Science, Ohio State University (2001) BS in Sports Medicine, University of Pittsburgh (1999) Postdoctoral Fellowship in Gerontology and Metabolism, University of Maryland School of Medicine (2008) Research Interests : Prior investigates mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and aging, leveraging advanced techniques like contrast-enhanced ultrasound and cell culture models. His lab studies angiogenesis, skeletal muscle capillarization, and exercise-induced improvements in vascular health. Grants & Funding : Supported by NIH and VA grants examining exercise's role in restoring angiogenesis and metabolism in peripheral arterial disease and sarcopenia. Awards : 2022 Winston Family Honors Award (Faculty Mentor) 2019 Maryland Research Excellence Honoree 2012 Paul B. Beeson Scholar 2007 New Investigator Research Award (The Obesity Society) Labs/Teams : Directs a lab integrating exercise science, vascular biology, and aging research. Collaborates with clinical teams on translational studies.

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Truls Raastadمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

The Norwegian School of Sport SciencesNorway

Truls Raastad is a Professor at the Institute of Physical Performance , Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. He leads the research group The Muscle Group , focusing on muscular adaptation to training , strength training methodologies , and sports nutrition . His academic work spans exercise physiology , muscle physiology , and football/soccer research . Doctorate in Sports Physiology (Recovery and Adaptations to Strength Training) Consultant at Olympiatoppen's nutrition department Former football player and coach His research explores post-exercise recovery mechanisms , muscle damage and repair , and exercise interventions during cancer treatment . Recent publications investigate: Aerobic training effects in breast cancer survivors Muscle fiber adaptations to high-intensity resistance exercise Myonuclear retention after tendon injuries Exercise intensity comparisons in adolescent athletes Teaching includes human physiology , exercise physiology , and sports nutrition (course THP102). His work bridges laboratory research and applied sports practice , with specific interest in blood flow restriction training and recovery strategies .

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Silvia Salinas Blemkerمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of VirginiaUnited States

Dr. Silvia Salinas Blemker is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Virginia, with a courtesy appointment in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Her research focuses on understanding muscle structure-function relationships through computational and experimental models to develop treatments for musculoskeletal diseases. She earned her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. Her Multiscale Muscle Mechanophysiology (M3) Lab investigates skeletal muscle mechanics, regeneration, and disease mechanisms, particularly in conditions like muscular dystrophy and aging. The lab’s work integrates AI-driven MRI analysis, finite element modeling, and clinical collaborations to improve patient outcomes. Key projects include developing the FDA-approved Springbok Analytics tool for muscle health assessment and advancing understanding of muscle regeneration through agent-based modeling. Dr. Blemker has received prestigious awards such as the National Academy of Inventors Fellowship (2024) and the American Society of Biomechanics’ Goel Award (2024). She teaches courses in biomechanics and motion analysis. Her research has been featured in innovations like biomechanics-based injury prevention systems for athletes and novel imaging techniques for neuromuscular disease monitoring.

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Katie Heskethمشاهده پروفایل

استادیار

University of BirminghamUnited Kingdom

Dr Katie Hesketh is an Assistant Professor in Exercise Prescription at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham. She is a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and serves as Programme Lead for the upcoming MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology (2025) and Deputy Director of the Movement and Wellbeing Clinic (MoveWell). Her work integrates research, teaching, and clinical application in exercise science. Her research focuses on the role of physical activity in preventing and managing chronic diseases, particularly diabetes. Key areas include: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) in clinical settings Mobile health (mHealth) and wearable technologies for physical activity promotion Digital behavior change interventions Exercise prescription for at-risk populations Her recent publications highlight trends in using digital tools to enhance exercise adherence, comparing evidence-based and social media HIIT protocols, and adapting exercise referral schemes during the pandemic. Her work appears in journals such as Frontiers in Physiology , BMJ Open , and PLOS ONE . She supervises doctoral researchers including Liza Mohd Salleh, Joe Jenkins, Theodora Papanikolaou, and Thomas Grimmant, all working on diabetes and physical activity interventions. Dr Hesketh contributes to teaching in BSc Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and MSci Physiotherapy programs, with a focus on applied physiology and clinical exercise. She is actively involved in curriculum development and student clinical training through the MoveWell clinic, bridging academic learning with real-world healthcare delivery.

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William Apróمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

Swedish School of Sport and Health SciencesSweden

William Apró is an Associate Professor of Sports Science at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) in Stockholm, Sweden. He holds a Doctor of Medicine in Medical Science from Karolinska Institutet. His primary affiliation is with the Department of Physiology, Nutrition and Biomechanics, where he leads research on molecular mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle protein synthesis and breakdown. He has held academic roles including Assistant Professor (since 2018) and Visiting Senior Lecturer (2014–2015). Education: PhD in Medical Science, Karolinska Institutet (2009–2014) BSc in Biology, Stockholm University (2002–2007) Research Interests: Dr. Apró's research focuses on understanding how amino acids and energy substrates influence muscle protein dynamics in health and aging. His work explores molecular pathways such as mTORC1 signaling, satellite cell activation, and fiber-type specific responses to exercise and nutrition. Key areas include: Regulation of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle Effects of aging on muscle mass and function Nutritional strategies to enhance athletic performance and mitigate sarcopenia Recent Research Trends: His most recent studies investigate fiber-type variability in aging muscles, antioxidant effects on exercise adaptation, and mitochondrial dysfunction from excessive exercise. He has pioneered methods like the THRIFTY protocol for high-throughput muscle fiber typing. Grants & Collaborations: He collaborates with institutions like the University of Birmingham (Marie Curie Fellowship, 2016–2018) and has contributed to projects funded by the Swedish Research Council. His work bridges basic science and clinical applications in sports medicine. Labs & Teams: He leads the Molecular Exercise Physiology group at GIH's Åstrand Laboratory, focusing on translational research to improve health outcomes through exercise and nutrition.

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Andrew Philpمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of Technology SydneyAustralia

A/Prof Andrew Philp is an Associate Professor in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He holds affiliations with the Faculty of Health and the Human Performance Research Centre (HPRC), a UTS Research Centre. His research focuses on muscle physiology, aging-related muscle decline, and exercise interventions to combat sarcopenia and metabolic dysfunction. Key research interests include the mechanisms of muscle aging, the role of exercise in mitigating age-related muscle deterioration, and the application of NAD+ therapeutics and ketone esters to preserve muscle function. His work addresses the cellular basis of sarcopenia and explores strategies to enhance muscle resilience in older adults. Recent studies highlight his contributions to understanding denervation and myofiber grouping in aged muscle, the efficacy of endurance training in preventing sarcopenic obesity, and the translational potential of novel therapies like exogenous ketones. His funded research includes projects supported by Wellcome Leap Inc. and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), focusing on bioengineered muscle models and mitochondrial energetics. Andrew Philp collaborates extensively, with co-authors across disciplines, and has published widely in journals such as Experimental Gerontology and Sports Medicine . His work bridges basic science and clinical applications, aiming to improve health outcomes in aging populations.

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Hans Degensمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Manchester Metropolitan UniversityUnited Kingdom

Professor Hans Degens is a faculty member in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University, specializing in Muscle Physiology. His research focuses on age-related changes in skeletal muscle morphology and function, particularly under conditions of hypoxia, exercise, and space-related microgravity. He holds honorary positions as Visiting Professor at the Lithuanian Sport University and the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Targu Mures, Romania, and was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa by the Lithuanian Sport University in 2017. His work investigates mechanisms underlying muscle adaptation to resistance training, endurance training, and environmental stressors like smoking and hypoxia. Notably, he has pioneered studies on the impact of smoking cessation on muscle function and the effects of space travel on neuromuscular systems using bed rest models. Key contributions include demonstrating impaired hypertrophy in aging muscles and elucidating the role of oxidative stress in muscle fatigue. Professor Degens has received the Award for Outstanding Achievements in Oxygen Transport to Tissue (1992) and has authored over 150 peer-reviewed articles. His research integrates experimental methodologies such as single skinned muscle fiber analysis and rodent models to explore muscle function at the cellular and systemic levels.

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Kevin Zwetslootمشاهده پروفایل

استاد مدعو

Appalachian State UniversityUnited States

Dr. Kevin Zwetsloot serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Public Health and Exercise Science at Appalachian State University, where he investigates skeletal muscle physiology with emphasis on aging-related mechanisms. His research program focuses on sarcopenia development, muscle repair after injury, and inflammation pathways, utilizing rodent models to develop exercise and nutritional interventions. His educational background includes: Post-doctoral research fellowship from the University of Missouri, Columbia Ph.D. in Bioenergetics from East Carolina University M.A. in Physical Education from California State University, Chico B.S. in Exercise Physiology from California State University, Chico Dr. Zwetsloot's laboratory explores phytoecdysteroid supplementation for mitigating age-related muscle loss and accelerating recovery from injury, while also investigating exercise-microbiome interactions in aging populations. Current projects examine how exercise influences gut microbiota composition during aging and post-antibiotic recolonization, alongside developing novel resistance training models for rodents. His publication trends (2020-2023) reveal a strong focus on translational rodent models for human exercise physiology, with increasing emphasis on the gut-muscle axis and natural compound interventions . Recent work demonstrates phytoecdysteroids' role in muscle recovery without anabolic effects in sedentary aging, while methodological advances include weighted wheel running protocols and heat shock applications for muscle damage repair. Dr. Zwetsloot actively mentors students as evidenced by trainee notations in publications, supervising research on muscle physiology and microbiome interactions. His work receives support for studies involving exercise interventions, nutritional compounds, and aging muscle models, though specific grant details are not provided in source materials. He directs the Biochemistry laboratory and collaborates extensively with the Vivarium team, utilizing specialized facilities for in vivo exercise studies and muscle tissue analysis. His rodent models enable precise investigation of muscle adaptations to progressive resistance training and eccentric injury protocols.

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Luc Van Loonمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Vrije Universiteit BrusselBelgium

Luc Van Loon serves as an unpaid guest professor in the Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy at Vrije Universiteit Brussel's Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. His research focuses on the intersection of exercise physiology, muscle metabolism, and nutritional science with particular emphasis on aging populations. His primary research interests include Exercise Physiology , Muscle Physiology , Nutrition Science , and Gerontology . Van Loon's work investigates how dietary interventions, particularly protein intake and vegan nutrition, affect muscle protein synthesis rates in older adults. His research also examines the physiological effects of resistance training, blood flow restriction techniques, and periods of immobilization on skeletal muscle. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on practical applications for maintaining muscle health in aging populations. His work bridges basic physiological mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in rehabilitation settings following periods of inactivity or bed rest. With an impressive research output of 264 publications and an h-index of 64, Van Loon has established himself as a significant contributor to the field of muscle physiology. His work has garnered over 14,536 citations, reflecting the impact of his research on the scientific community. Van Loon actively collaborates with numerous researchers including Snijders, Verdijk, and others across multiple institutions. His work appears in high-impact journals such as the Journal of Physiology, Journal of Nutrition, and Sports Medicine, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of his research spanning basic science, clinical nutrition, and exercise physiology.

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Huub Maasمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

Vrije University AmsterdamNetherlands

Huub Maas is an Associate Professor at the Department of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He holds affiliations with Amsterdam Neuroscience (Neurovascular Disorders), AMS - Musculoskeletal Health, and AMS - Tissue Function & Regeneration. He earned his M.Sc. (1999) and Ph.D. (2003, Cum Laude) in Human Movement Sciences from VU Amsterdam, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at Georgia Institute of Technology and Northwestern University. His research focuses on interactions between musculoskeletal and neural systems during movement, employing biomechanical and neurophysiological methods with animal and human models. Key projects include studying interhemispheric brain interactions post-stroke, neuromechanics of low back pain, hamstring architecture, and stretching protocols for contractures. Collaborators include Prof. Rick Dijkhuizen (Utrecht), Prof. Jia Han (Shanghai), and Prof. Yasuo Kawakami (Waseda). He supervises PhD theses, teaches courses like 'Animal Experiments for Human Movement Sciences,' and leads projects funded by MOVE-AGE (EU). Research trends emphasize muscle-tendon mechanics, neural adaptations post-injury, and translational studies for clinical applications. His work contributes to Sustainable Development Goals related to health and well-being. Current grants explore stroke recovery, low back pain mechanisms, and contracture interventions. Education: M.Sc. Human Movement Sciences, VU Amsterdam (1999) Ph.D. Human Movement Sciences, VU Amsterdam (2003, Cum Laude) Advising: Supervised 7 PhD theses, including Arjun Paudyal's work on stroke-induced neuromechanical changes. Labs/Teams: Active in interdisciplinary groups at Amsterdam Neuroscience and AMS research centers.

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Lasse Gliemannمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Lasse Gliemann serves as Deputy Head of Department and Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports within the Faculty of Science. He leads the Women in Healthy Transition research initiative and holds a position in the European Cooperation in Science and Technology Network for Research in Vascular Ageing (CA18216). Education: Bachelor & Master in Human Physiology (2005-2011), University of Copenhagen PhD in Human Physiology (2014), University of Copenhagen His research spans cardiovascular physiology with specialized focus on women's health during menopausal transition. He employs invasive and non-invasive methodologies to investigate exercise impacts on vascular function, cardiac performance, blood clotting, and muscle capillarization. His cross-disciplinary approach integrates physiological, psychological, and sociological perspectives to address understudied areas in women's cardiovascular health. Recent publications reveal consistent emphasis on exercise interventions for postmenopausal women, vascular aging mechanisms, and sex-specific cardiovascular responses. His work bridges molecular mechanisms to population-level health outcomes, with growing attention to thrombosis, cardiac adaptation in athletes, and energy availability in female athletes. Scientific Awards: Early Investigator Prize 2013 (The Journal of Physiology) He supervises 6 PhD students (4 primary, 2 co-supervised) plus postdocs and junior faculty, with 4 completed PhDs now in industry or academia. Secured 48.8 million DKK in grants from major Danish funders including Lundbeck Foundation and Innovation Foundation Denmark, including three substantial grants exceeding 5 million DKK. He directs the Women in Healthy Transition research group and collaborates internationally with institutions like University of British Columbia and Ghent University through double-degree PhD programs.

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