Human & Environmental Physiology Laboratory

Two of our graduate students conducting our current study to quantify changes in neuroplasticity and physiological related mechanisms associated with intermittent hypoxia exposure

This graphical abstract shows the primary findings of our research examining the effects of acute moderate and severe hypoxic exposure on neurophysiological mechanisms associated with task-performance. This is one study in a series of our work aimed at better understanding the effects austere environments have on cognition and physiological processes. Take a look at the link below for the full article.



https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665944121000298

Dr. David Julius recently received the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine where he focused on how the human body senses heat, cold, and chemical irritants.
Our research laboratory is currently examining the effects of multi-stressor environments on neurophysiological mechanisms which are fundamentally impacted by the discoveries of Dr. Julius.

In honor of Veterans Day, we want to thank all veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.

We would like to share an important scientific discovery with you all that is fundamental to the physiological basis our team's research relies upon to improve the rehabilitation and performance of military personnel under extreme environments. Look at the attached BioRender image for how we sense low oxygen levels *hypoxia) in the human body.

Congratulations to our Master's student Joel Jauregui who presented his first abstract at the UTEP GradExpo 2021! Help us congratulate him on this excellent achievement!

Jasmin Jenkins has first-authored a journal article accepted to Military Medicine entitled "Moderate and Severe Acute Normobaric Hypoxia and the 3 Repetition Deadlift, Hand-Release Push-up, and Leg Tuck events from the Army Combat Fitness Test"

We congratulate Jasmin on her continued efforts and accomplishments!

Congratulations to Dr. Cory Smith for his publication in the Current Research in Physiology Journal on the Effect of moderate and severe hypoxic exposure coupled with fatigue on psychomotor vigilance testing, muscle tissue oxygenation, and muscular performance!

Follow the link below to learn more!
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crphys.2021.11.001

Congratulations to our very own Jasmin Jenkins for getting her first author publication in the Journal of Current Research in Physiology!

Follow the link below to learn more
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crphys.2021.09.002

Hello everyone, we are looking for volunteers to participate in a research study that examines how the human body physiologically responds to a hypoxic exposure and what happens to your cognitive and motor abilities!

With this study, we can further analyze how hikers, mountaineers, pilots, and/or astronauts would respond to low levels of oxygen exposure!

Please share!

If you or anyone you know is interested please reach out to Joel or DM us!

National Strength and Conditioning Annual Conference 2021

Our first Conference representing the Human & Environmental Physiology Laboratory at NSCA was a success. See you all next year!

NSCA UTEP College of Health Sciences UTEP - The University of Texas at El Paso UTEP Interdisciplinary Health Sciences PhD Program

Congratulations to Dr. T. Housh for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the NSCA 2021 Banquet. 🥳🥳

We are seeking volunteers!

If you're a female recreational athlete and/or a female collegiate cheerleader, please DM us or message Uriel directly!

Please share!

"I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land! God bless the U.S.A." -Lee Greenwood "Proud to be an American"

Today we remember those that cannot be with us here today, and raise a glass in their honor.❤🤍💙

Photo Credit: "memorial-day-flowers" by reconcycles is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Congratulations Guys!!! Everyone go read their paper!!

Congratulations to our Lab members Jasmin Jenkins (Interdisciplinary Health Science PhD Program) and Owen Salmon (Department of Kinesiology) on their first authored Abstract acceptance to the 2021 National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) National Conference. 🎉🎊

The following abstracts have been accepted for publication:
-Acute hypoxic exposure does not affect performance on the army combat fitness test of the 3 repetition deadlift, hand-release push-up and leg tuck
-Body mass index is not related to army combat fitness performance at baseline elevation or at acute hypoxic exposure simulated 7,000 ft and 10,000 ft.
-The independent and combined effects of environmental exposure and fatigue on pistol marksmanship: A pilot study

Happy to join our friends at UTEP Biomechanics
in the today! Always happy to support Autism Awareness 💙❤️

Thank You Guys for letting us join you.

UTEP College of Health Sciences UTEP Department of Kinesiology UTEP Interdisciplinary Health Sciences PhD Program

Our team and our friends .utep participated in the today! Always happy to support Autism Awareness 💙❤️

We are currently recruiting for study to identify the neuromuscular, gait, metabolic, and cognitive demand during simulated work in a lunar environment to improve safety.
We are looking for men and women between 25 and 45 years of age, free from disease, and have an active lifestyle. If you are interested in participating contact Dr. Smith at [email protected]

Way to go Dr. Smith!!! We look forward to learning from you. 🥳

On behalf of our hoomans in the Human & Environmental Physiology Laboratory we wish you a happy and safe howliday!! 🐶🐕🦃🦃
Top: Josie, Zu
Bottom: Eleven, Dolly, Potato, & Koda

Congratulations to one of our shared (with UTEP Biomechanics) undergraduate researchers Christopher Bryant on becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)!!🥳🥳

As a CSCS accredited by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), Chris has joined the ranks of many professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. More on the certification can be found on the NSCA's website: https://www.nsca.com/certification/cscs/

Congratulations Christian!!!

Meet our graduate student!!!!😄😎

Happy Thursday, CHS Miners! 🤙 Check out the next story in our Meet Our Students series, featuring Owen Salmon, a student in the Master of Science in Kinesiology program and member of the Human & Environmental Physiology Laboratory.

Q: Are you a first-generation college student? If so, please share with us what motivated you to pursue a college degree.

A: I am not a first-generation college student, but what initially motivated me to pursue a college degree was a career focused on health and medicine.

Q: What attracted you to the UTEP Department of Kinesiology?

A: What ultimately brought me to UTEP was an interaction I previously had with my mentor, Dr. Cory Smith, at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL). I did not know too much about UTEP a few years ago, but once the opportunity arose to come to UTEP to further my education and become a research assistant, I looked more into the Kinesiology program. The facilities available, the professors within the program, and the curriculum outlined in the degree plan were what attracted me most about UTEP. The opportunity to learn more about different concentrations within the Kinesiology field, along with the emphasis on independent research, were important qualities that I believed would help me to be more competitive when looking ahead and applying for future job opportunities at the end of my schooling.

Q: Why did you decide to continue your education past the undergraduate level and pursue a master’s degree in Kinesiology?

A: I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Kinesiology to open more doors for future career possibilities. The Kinesiology degree is comprised of several different concentrations and career outlets. By pursuing a degree in Kinesiology, I wanted to have an opportunity to explore more of my independent interests and get involved with research that I enjoy and find interesting. For me, obtaining my master’s degree is the first major step in diversifying my educational background and will be pivotal to my continued education and upcoming career.

Q: How did you become involved in research?

A: My first involvement with research began in my later undergraduate years at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (UNL). As a student, I sought out human performance research studies that offered opportunities to be a participant. As I participated more and more, I then began to develop a relationship with the students in the laboratory, which was a steppingstone to an opportunity to assist with data collection and volunteer more time to be an assistant within the laboratory. Volunteering my free time to participate in studies and visit the laboratory provided me with the foundation to formulate a research study and compile an undergraduate research poster that I presented at a research fair. That first positive experience volunteering in the laboratory opened my eyes to a completely new career field and opportunity to pursue research.

Q: Tell us about your most memorable experience as a research assistant in the Human and Environmental Physiology Laboratory.

A: For me, it is impossible to narrow my most memorable experience to one exact moment. I would say that the most memorable experience was the opportunity to play a big role in the establishment of the Human and Environmental Physiology Laboratory. Throughout the course of time that I have been a student at UTEP, I have enjoyed being a part of the physical transformation of our laboratory. Watching the laboratory space transition, going from a gym to a fully functional environmental physiology laboratory outfitted with research capabilities that are rarely found throughout laboratories across the United States, was a neat process to be part of!

Q: How has your graduate education in Kinesiology prepared you for your future career?

A: My graduate education in Kinesiology has prepared me for my future career by helping me to not only become well rounded within my education, but also enhancing my critical thinking skills. In graduate school, you are given the tools to get involved in several different projects and are exposed to several new perspectives. However, it is ultimately up to you how much you choose to get out of the program. By remaining active in coursework and independent research activities, it can provide you with opportunities to expand your research potential and personal connections beyond UTEP.

Q: What would you tell a prospective student who is thinking about pursuing a graduate degree in Kinesiology?

A: Taking the next step into graduate school can be a big change. Make sure you are doing your homework, and I am not talking just about the rigor of academic work, but the independent homework about the institution, the degree and the classes available, and compare it to your future career aspirations to make sure it is a good fit. Reach out to professors within programs of your interest to try to get involved and seek opportunities to be involved in different laboratories to gain hands-on experience. By pursuing a graduate degree in Kinesiology, you can set yourself up for several different career paths that are available beyond the level of a bachelor’s degree. With a graduate degree, you become more competitive for job opportunities and a more competitive applicant if you plan to pursue a professional degree such as Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, or a Doctor of Medicine.

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For more information about the Master of Science in Kinesiology degree, please visit: https://www.utep.edu/chs/kinesiology/academic-programs/graduate/graduate-program.html

Go Miners!
Photo courtesy of Owen Salmon

On behalf of the Human & Environmental Physiology Laboratory we would like to salute our Veterans. Thank you to the brave Men and Women for your service.

Congratulations to our Master's Student Owen F. Salmon on his successful Thesis Proposal on "The effects of a combined multi-stressor environment and fatigue on pistol shooting performance"

Congratulations to our very own Joel Jauregui!!! 🎉🎉🎉 He is one of our undergraduate researchers who has just been admitted to the Master of Science in Kinesiology Program. We are proud of you and look forward to watching you continue to grow in our lab. Welcome to Joel! 🥳🥳

Our Master's Student Owen F. Salmon is ready to propose his thesis. This is an open event everyone is welcome, join us at the link below and show your support!

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/f4cf4965cee344bca4ff793ab154af2e