Alumni


Graduate students – PhD

Spring 2025

Dr. Max Deutz, PhD

Dissertation title: Evaluating the efficacy of microbial enzyme supplementation as a novel strategy to promote healthy aging

Dr. Takeshi Barnes, PhD

Dissertation title: Dairy milk matrix modulation of inflammation and muscle protein synthesis in adults with excess adiposity

Dr. Takeshi Barnes is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Sports Management at Gonzaga University.

Fall 2024

Dr. Andy Askow, PhD

Dissertation title: The effect of dietary pattern and creatine supplementation on regulating skeletal muscle mass

Spring 2022

Dr. Richard Kesler, PhD

Dissertation title: Evaluation of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) design and weight on firefighter physiological and biomechanical response

Dr. Kevin Paulussen, PhD

Dissertation title: The food matrix and its effect on human protein metabolism

Dr. Colleen McKenna, PhD

Dissertation title: Regulation of skeletal muscle strength adaptations by dietary protein and resistance training in middle adulthood

Spring 2021

Dr. Amadeo Félix Salvador, PhD

Dissertation title: Performance nutrition to support athletes and aging

Spring 2018

Dr. Joseph Beals, PhD

Dissertation title: Human obesity and its influence on muscle protein synthesis

Spring 2017

Dr. Stephan van Vliet, PhD 

Dissertation title: Regulation of postprandial protein metabolism after food ingestion and exercise


Graduate Students – MS

Spring 2024 – Fall 2016 

Isabel G. Martinez, M.S.

Thesis title:  Manipulating dietary protein density and its effect on training induced muscle performance and overall health among middle-aged adults

Justin Parel, M.S.

Spring 2017

Thesis title: The whole body protein turnover response to the ingestion of intrinsically labeled eggs at rest and after endurance exercise

Evan Shy, M.S. 

Fall 2016

Thesis title: Effect of meal composition to modulate the anabolic response during recovery from resistance exercise

Rafael Alamilla, M.S.

Spring 2020

Thesis title: The effect of leucine and dileucine ingestion on muscle protein turnover in healthy young men

Jade Hamon, M.S.

Spring 2022

Thesis title: Relationship between diet quality and molecular mediators of muscle health

Susannah Scaroni, M.S.

Spring 2023

Thesis Title: Sports science: Tools and translation for para-athletes

David Bein, M.S.

Spring 2024


Research Assistants

  • Adam Sukiennik (2014-2015)
  • Meredith (Meddy) Hurd, Project Coordinator (2017-2018)

Undergraduate students

  • Tommy Pickett, Steven Pochron, Jay Johnson, Brandon Pagni,  Justin Young, Noah Moore, Emily Smiarowski, and Jessica Tyspin  (Not Pictured: Baylee Hussain (2014-2015)


 

Nutrition and Exercise Performance Research Group
Email: naburd@illinois.edu