Thesis Track Faculty Mentors

Dr. Bryner has strong interests in examining the effects of various perturbations (i.e., exercise, stress, smoking, metabolic syndrome) on glucose homeostasis and pancreatic function.

Dr. Chantler has research interests focusing on how the interaction with aging, lifestyle, and various disease states, in particular the Metabolic Syndrone (MetS) and Stroke, impacts cardiac, arterial, and cerebrovascular biology and function.

Dr. Hollander is funded by the NIH to explore the cardiac molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with diabetes.  

Dr. McCroy has research interests in the area of gait and balance biomechanics in various clinical populations, including individuals with peripheral neuropathy, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress fractures and lower leg amputation.

A photo of I. Olfert.
I. Mark Olfert, PhD, RRT, FAHA
West Virginia University
Positions
Professor, Human Performance - Exercise Physiology
Member, WVU Cancer Institute Research Programs
Associate Professor, Physiology, Pharmacology & Toxicology
Phone
304-293-0816

Dr. Olfert conducts reserach in cardio pulmonary and skeletal muscle physiology as it pertains to health and disease with a specific focus, at the time, on E-cig exposure on cardiovascular health.

A photo of Emidio Pistilli.
Emidio Pistilli, PhD
West Virginia University
Positions
Professor, Human Performance - Exercise Physiology
Adjunct Associate Professor, Microbiology, Immunology & Cell Biology
Director of Admissions, Office of Research and Graduate Education, Research & Graduate Education
Director, Cancer Cell Biology Graduate Program, Cancer Cell Biology Graduate Education
Member, WVU Cancer Institute Research Programs
Phone
304-293-0291

Dr. Pistilli's research laboratory is focused on breast cancer-induced cachexia, with a specific emphasis on the therapeutic implications for the cytokine interleukin-15.

The focus of Dr. Yakovenko's interdisciplinary research is to study the coordinated action of neural, muscular, and skeletal systems controlling goal-directed and stereotypic movements.