Below is the current list of affiliated faculty. If you would like to affiliate with CEMSS please contact Dr. James Hicks
Gregory R. Adams, PhD: Associate Professor, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine.
Research Interests: The cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate the adaptation of tissues to changes in functional demands. A major theme of the lab is the modulation of the adaptation of skeletal muscle in the presence of alterations in loading state as well as changing signals received via endocrine, autocrine / paracrine agents (e.g. hormones, growth factors & cytokines).
E-mail: gradams@uci.edu
Shlomit Radom-Aizik PhD: Assistant professor, Department of Pediatrics, UC Irvine. Executive Director of the UC Irvine Health Pediatric Exercise and Genomics Research Center and ICTS: Director – Exercise Laboratory Translational Service
Research Interests: Functional genomics and exercise physiology and include: immune system and muscle genomic and epigenetic responses to exercise, effects of exercise and training on growth and development, effects of exercise and training on children with special needs and children and adults with chronic diseases.
E-mail: saizik@uci.edu
Visit the Pediatric Exercise Research Center and The Institute for Clinical and Translation Science
Manny Azizi, PhD: Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences.
Research Interests: Research is focused broadly on the physiology and mechanics of movement. Work in Dr. Azizi’s laboratory strives to understand how the basic properties of muscle have been shaped by evolution and how shifts in these properties affect neuromuscular health and performance.
E-mail: eazizi@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Azizi’s Muscle Physiology and Biomechanics Laboratory
Mark Bachman, PhD: Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Director-eHealth Collaboratory at Calit2 and Associate Director, Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility, Assistant Professor (Joint Appointment), Biomedical Engineering, Director,
Research Interests: Microelectronic integrated devices and systems, biomedical microdevices, microfluidics, sensor systems, assistive technologies, human-computer interface, human systems, sustainable design
E-mail: mbachman@uci.edu
Visit the Dr. Bachman’s Laboratory
Nader Bagherzadeh, PhD: Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the School of Engineering.
Research Interest: He works on high performance and low power computing area with emphasize on embedded systems for enabling mobile systems to meet power consumption and performance requirements.
E-mail: nader@uci.edu
Kenneth Baldwin, PhD: Professor Emeritus of Physiology & Biophysics, School of Medicine.
Research Interests: Dr. Baldwin’s central research focus explores mechanisms by which altered loading states (e.g., changes in the force-generating requirements of the muscle system) regulate processes impacting the structure and function of striated muscles. Specifically, Dr. Baldwin’s research is focused on: i) the transcriptional control of myosin isoform expression; ii) hormones and growth factors affecting muscle growth and atrophy; and iii) mechanisms regulating protein translation in response to altered loading.
Email: kmbaldwi@uci.edu
A.J. Batra, MD: Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics.
Research Interests: Dr. Batra brings a strong clinical background in pediatric cardiology and exercise testing in children. Dr. Batra obtained his M.D. at Ohio State University and completed his internship and residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. His fellowships in pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology were also performed at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Dr. Batra is Board Certified in pediatrics and pediatric cardiology, and he is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Courtney Burkes, MS: Fitness and Wellness Director, Department of Campus Recreation. Ms. Burkes oversees Assessment, Personal Training and Wellness programming for Campus Recreation. She maintains a staff of 12 certified personal trainers as well as oversees testing and fitness programming and equipment. Her interest include using exercise to reduce preventable health risks, exercise metabolism, resting metabolism, and social and psychological effects of body composition.”
E-mail:cburkes@uci.edu
Vince Caiozzo, PhD: Professor in Residence, Orthopaedic Surgery, Co-Director of the ICTS Training and Education Division and Co-Director of the ICTS New Translational Technology Division
Research Interests: Focuses on three key aspects of skeletal muscle: (1) the mechanistic role of contractile and regulatory proteins in muscle mechanics; (2) the mechanistic basis of muscle plasticity; and (3) the application of the first two pursuits to clinically relevant pathologies
E-mail: vjcaiozz@uci.edu
Dan M. Cooper, MD: Professor and Chair Department of Pediatrics, PI UC Irvine CTSA (Director UC Irvine ICTS)
Research Interests: The effect of physical activity on growth and development in healthy children and in children and babies with chronic disease and disability.
E-mail:dcooper@uci.edu
Visit The Institute for Clinical and Translation Science
Carl Cotman, PhD: Professor, Neurology and Neurobiology and Behavior, UC Irvine Founding Director, Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia (IBAD), UC Irvine
Research Interests: The research of the Cotman laboratory is aimed toward understanding the mechanisms causing neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the development of interventions, such as exercise, to promote successful aging.
E-mail: cwcotman@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Cotman’s homepage
Steven Cramer, MD: Dr. Cramer is a Professor in the Departments of Neurology and Anatomy & Neurobiology. He is also the Vice Chair for Research, the Clinical Director of the Stem Cell Research Center, and the Director of the Neuroimaging Core of the UC Irvine ICTS.
Research Interests: Dr. Cramer’s research program focuses on brain repair after central nervous system injury in humans, with an emphasis on recovery of movement after stroke. Treatments under examination include robotic, cell-based, brain stimulation, growth factors, and other pharmacological approaches.
E-mail: scramer@uci.edu
John Crawford: Associate Professor of Dance and Media Arts in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts.
Research Interests: John is a media artist, interactive performance director, technology developer and interaction designer. He directs the Embodied Media + Performance Technology Lab and the campus-wide Digital Arts Minor program.
Email: john.crawford@uci.edu
Visit the Embodied Media + Performance Technology Lab
Pietro Galassetti, MD, PhD: Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Associate Professor of Pharmacology Director, UCI GCRC Metabolism/Bionutrition Research Unit
Research Interests: Stress in children with dysmetabolic states, obesity, type 1 and 2 diabetes
E-mail: pgalasse@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Galassetti’s homepage
Donovan German, PhD: Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences
Research Interests: Dr. German’s research spans a variety levels in biological systems, from the molecular to the whole-organism level. Research in his laboratory is focused on the energy acquisition strategies of organisms.
E-mail: dgerman@uci.edu
Visit Dr. German’s Laboratory
Alon A. Gorodetsky, PhD: Dr. Gorodetsky is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, with a joint appointment in the Department of Chemistry. He is also a member of the Chemical and Materials Physics Program.
Research Interests: Dr. Gorodetsky’s research program focuses on photonic and electronic devices inspired by biomolecules, such as the structural proteins found in cephalopods. As part of this work, he is currently developing wearable personal thermal management systems and devices.
E-mail: alon.gorodetsky@uci.edu
Ranjan Gupta, MD: Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Anatomy & Neurobiology, and Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: Investigates (1) the cellular and molecular changes in chronic nerve compression (CNC) injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, and spinal nerve root stenosis and (2) strategies to preserve the neuromuscular junction after traumatic nerve injury to improve functional recovery.
E-mail: ranjang@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Gupta’s Peripheral Nerve Research Lab
Fadia Haddad, PhD: Researcher, Pediatric Exercise & Genomics Research Center (PERC)
Research Interests: Dr. Haddad is an expert in the field of muscle plasticity and regulation of muscle gene expression. She provides expertise in various approaches to studying muscle plasticity at the molecular level including DNA, RNA, and protein. Her central research focus examines the regulatory processes impacting the structure and function of striated muscles. Specifically, her research program explores both genetic and epigenetic mechanisms regulating muscle gene expression in response to physical exercise, altered loading state, and altered hormonal states.
Email: fhaddad@uci.edu
James W. Hicks, PhD: Professor, Department Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences
Research Interests: Evolution and function of the vertebrate oxygen transport system. Dr. Hicks’ research efforts are divided among five areas; understanding the mechanism(s), regulation and functional significance of intracardiac shunting in “lower vertebrates”, investigating the factors that determine and regulate the cardiopulmonary response to elevated metabolic states, investigating the ontogeny of cardiovascular regulation, studying acclimatization to hypoxia and investigating the effects of gravity on the vertebrate cardiovascular system. Dr Hicks’ research spans several vertebrate groups providing a unique evolutionary perspective into circulation and respiration and seeks to discover not only differences among organisms, but the unifying principles shared by diverse organisms.
E-mail: jhicks@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Hicks’ Laboratory for Comparative and Evolutionary Physiology
Joyce H. Keyak, PhD: Professor in Residence, Department of Radiological Sciences. School of Medicine
Research Interests: Dr. Keyak’s lab focuses on bone mechanics,finite element modeling,quantitative computed tomography,prosthetic implants,osteoporosis,metastatic tumors in bone, radiation therapy
E-mail: jhkeyak@uci.edu
Visit The Department of Radiological Sciences
Virginia Kimonis, MD: Professor, Division of Division of Genetics and Genomics, Department of Pediatrics.
Research Interests: Dr. Kimonis focuses a highly complicated disease known as Inclusion Body Myopathy Paget’s Disease Fronto-temporal Dementia (IBMPFD). Dr. Kimonis reported the existence of IBMPFD in 2000 and subsequently determined that mutations in valosin-containing protein (VCP) cause IBMPFD. Dr. Kimonis is funded by NIH and the Muscular Dystrophy Association and current studies in her laboratory employ both transgenic and knockout animals for exploring the mechanistic basis of IBMPFD. Additionally, Dr. Kimonis is also studying metabolic disorders such as Pompe’s disease. One of Dr. Kimonis’ major objectives has been to establish a neuromuscular disease working group at UC Irvine.
E-mail: vkimonis@uci.edu
Kali Knapp, MS, CSCS: Assistant Fitness Director and WorkStrong Director, Department of Campus Recreation; Part-time Lecturer, Department of Kinesiology, California State University. Ms. Knapp administers a post rehabilitation program for individuals injured on the job and has developed and tracked several targeted programs for UCI police and security departments. Her interest is muscle EMG, isokinetic force production, protein utilization and injury kinematics.
E-mail:kaknapp@uci.edu
Stephanie McEwan, JD, PhD, PsyD: Dr. McEwan is a member of the teaching faculty in the Department of Psychology and Social Behavior and a member of the clinical staff in the Department of Sports Medicine. She completed postdoctoral training programs in clinical psychology, neurology, emergency trauma, and psychoanalytic psychotherapy, as well as a Fellowship in Clinical Psychoanalysis with the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia.
Research Interests: Dr. McEwan’s research interests focus on neurosciences, sport psychology, psychopathology, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and emergency trauma.
E-mail: smcewan@uci.edu
Matt McHenry, PhD: Associate Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences.
Research Interests: The McHenry Lab studies how animals sense and move through their environment. We are especially interested in aquatic animals and mostly study fish. The lab’s approach integrates mathematical modeling with experimentation and developing novel techniques.
E-mail: McHenry Lab
Visit the McHenry Laboratory
Catherine Loudon, PhD: Senior Lecturer SOE, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences.
Research Interests: Biomechanics
Email: cloudon@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Loudon’s Website
Lisa Naugle, PhD: Professor and Chair of Dance, Claire Trevor School of the Arts
Research Interests: Focuses on computer-based applications for dance including motion capture, telematic performance, and interactive technology
E-mail: lnaugle@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Naugle’s Website
Jim Pluemer, MS, RPT: Mr. Pluemer came to U.C. Irvine in 1992 as Director of Sports Medicine. During the past 22 years, Mr. Pluemer has significantly expanded the Sports Medicine facilities, and currently supervises the direct care and rehabilitation for 430 athletes in 19 intercollegiate sports. He has expanded the Sports Medicine Staff so that it now includes the involvement of two full-time assistants, a part-time physical therapist and fifteen student athletic trainers. Additionally, Mr. Pluemer has assembled an impressive group of 8 physicians who act as team doctors. Mr. Pluemer coordinates all administrative duties for the sports medicine program including updating athlete medical records, managing insurance program, and maintaining sports medicine facility. In this context, the Sports Medicine Clinic is held twice per week.
David J. Reinkensmeyer, PhD: Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, the Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, and the Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Research Interests: interests are in neuromuscular control, motor learning, robotics, and rehabilitation.
E-mail:dreinken@uci.edu
Visit the Biorobotics Laboratory and the iMove Center
Kelli Sharp, DPT: Dr. Sharp is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dance. She is also co-director of I-move in the Stem Cell Research Center.
Research Interests: Dr. Sharp’s research embodies two pillars. The first pillar focuses on injury prevention and wellness for dancers using motion capture system and applying methods of analysis to determine the relationship of motion in space we can further reduce injuries. The second pillar focuses on the development of novel technologies to advance rehabilitation strategies for individuals with neurological disorders by incorporating tools, such as motion capture systems and functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) with dance/movement therapy.
E-mail: ksharp@uci.edu
Jill Schindele, Ed.D: has been the Campus Recreation Director at UCI since 1982. Dr. Schindele was early to incorporate wellness and fitness testing into collegiate recreation. She led the effort in the development of the Anteater Recreation Center and expansion with a heavy focus on fitness, wellness assessment, and nutrition. Her interests are to strengthen the tie between research and application in promoting the prevention of disease.
E-mail: jmschind@uci.edu
Margaret Schneider PhD: Associate Researcher, Department of Planning, Policy and Design
Research Interests: Multi-factorial models of health behavior, with a primary focus on physical activity among adolescents.
E-mail: Margaret.schneider@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Schneider’s Website
Steven L. Small, Ph.D., M.D.: Dr. Small is the Stanley van den Noort Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology, and Professor of Neurobiology and Behavior (Biological Sciences) and Cognitive Sciences (Social Sciences). He is also the Director of the Neuroscience Imaging Center.
Research Interests: Professor Small focuses his research efforts on the fundamental neurobiology of human language and motor skill, brain plasticity in exceptional performance and during recovery from brain injury (especially stroke and trauma), and biologically motivated approaches to improving language and motor function after injury.
E-mail: small@uci.edu
Ramesh Srinivasan, PhD: Associate Professor and Chair, Cognitive Sciences, School of Social Sciences
Research Interests: Cognitive Neuroscience, Brain Development, Consciousness, Perception, EEG, Brain Dynamics
E-mail: r.srinivasan@uci.edu
Visit Dr. Srinivasan’s Neuro-Lab Website
Craig Stark, PhD: Dr. Stark is a Professor in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory.
Research Interests: Dr. Stark’s research program focuses on mechanisms that underlie memory, utilizing neuroimaging techniques (such as functional structural MRI, DTI, connectivity analyses, etc). Using these techniques, we evaluate age-related changes in neural function and memory behavior and how differentiating those changes from early stages of dementia.
E-mail: cestark@uci.edu
Bruce Tromberg, PhD: Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Director, Laser Microbeam and Medical Program, Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic, School of Medicine
Research Interests: Lasers, near infrared spectroscopy, non-invasive diagnostics, photomedicine, biomedical optics, photodynamic therapy
E-mail: bjtrombe@uci.edu
Visit The Beckman Laser Institute
Kenten Wang, DO: Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He is the interim director of the Acute Rehabilitation Unit at UC Irvine Medical Center.
Clinical Interests: Dr. Wang is board certified in Sports Medicine and has interest in the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries using non-invasive to minimally invasive therapies. His other areas of interest include the rehabilitation of neurologic injuries and treatment of spasticity.
E-mail: kentenw@uci.edu