Kinesiology Department

Faculty Research Areas

Faculty conduct research on how the human body moves, through these research laboratories: 

Human Anatomy Laboratory

This laboratory provides students with an opportunity to learn about the human body through detailed dissections of human cadavers. Groups of four students per cadaver discuss and then dissect to learn the true size, shape, and organization of body structures. The experience helps to prepare students for graduate study in medicine, physical therapy, and other health fields. Though not required, Kinesiology students are encouraged to take this laboratory course (KINE 303L) during the same semester that they take the human anatomy lecture course (KINE 303).

For more information, contact Professor McCoy, at rwmcco@wm.edu.

Human Performance Laboratory

The Human Performance Laboratory is located in the bottom level of Adair Hall on the main campus of The College of William and Mary. The laboratory is home for teaching and research in the following areas:

Biomechanics Laboratory

Current research involves the gait mechanics of individuals with Parkinson's disease. With the addition of a metronome beat as additional gait control stimulation the mechanics of gait may improve to provide a more stable and continuous walking performance. This is the hypothesis that is currently being tested in the biomechanics area of the Human Performance Laboratory.

For more information, contact the lab director, Professor McCoy, at rwmcco@wm.edu.

Exercise Physiology Laboratory

For more information, contact the lab director, Professor Kambis, at kwkamb@wm.edu.

Cellular and Biochemistry Laboratory

This laboratory focuses on the neuromuscular and neuroendocrine systems. These systems are studied at both the cellular and organismal levels, particularly in response to increased (e.g., exercise) or decreased activity. Recent work includes investigation of the interaction of aging with alterations in physical activity.

For more information, contact the lab director, Professor Deschenes, at mrdesc@wm.edu.

Motor Learning and Motor Control Laboratory

For more information, contact the lab director, Professor Kohl, at rmkohl@wm.edu.

Molecular and Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory

The major focus of this laboratory is on exercise-induced changes in cardiac and vascular function related to changes in molecular mechanisms regulating heat shock proteins and nitric oxide synthases. Physical inactivity (as with hypertension, smoking, and high cholesterol) is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and the most prevalent of the four. Although exercise has been shown to provide a protective effect against high blood pressure and the development of atherosclerosis, the mechanism of this effect is unknown. In addition, while it is apparent that both nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and stress proteins play an important role in cardioprotection and vascular function, little is known about exercise-induced changes in NOS and/or stress protein expression in the vasculature. Using animal models of exercise and various disease states, this laboratory can evaluate exercise-induced changes in gene and protein expression in the cardiovascular system and examine their role in preventing endothelial dysfunction in aging, hypertension, diabetes, and ischemia/reperfusion.

For more information, contact the lab director, Professor Harris, at mbharr@wm.edu.

Vascular Physiology Laboratory

Research in this lab focuses on the function of arteries in normal and diseased states. The research group is particularly interested in the role of gap junctions (channels that connect the interiors of neighboring cells) in vascular function, and how the function of these channels is altered in those with risk factors for cardiovascular disease and during the process of vascular remodeling.

For more information, contact the lab director, Professor Looft-Wilson, at rlooft@wm.edu.