Dr. Austin R. Anderson is an Assistant Professor in the Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation department at the University of North Texas. Dr. Anderson’s main research focuses primarily on issues of diversity, inclusion, social justice and public policy in leisure and recreation through examinations of sport-specific recreation and management areas. These issues include stigma and belonging in aquatic, sport and campus recreational spaces, with an emphasis on social justice-based goals for people who often find themselves marginalized due to prejudice, discrimination and/or lack of access.
Dr. Anderson also has an active research agenda investigating aquatic safety and management, particularly those involving minority population groups.
Dr. Anderson has been employed in aquatic facilities, municipal parks and recreation, and intercollegiate athletic settings throughout Indiana. His personal interests include collegiate and professional sports, including his former involvement as a member of the Men’s Swimming Team at the University of Notre Dame, and mass popular culture, amusement and entertainment.
Chris Bailey PhD, CSCS*D, RSCC came to UNT in 2018 after spending 4 years at LaGrange College in GA where he served as an Assistant Professor, Strength and Conditioning Graduate Program Coordinator, and Sport Performance Lab Coordinator. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
He completed his PhD in Sport Physiology and Performance at East Tennessee State University in 2014, where he served as the baseball strength and conditioning coach and sport scientist. Prior to his time at ETSU he worked as a minor league strength and conditioning coach in the San Diego Padres baseball organization for two years. He has also worked in private sports performance training with clients ranging from college prep athletes to professional football players.
He is an active member in the NSCA, previously serving as the State Director for Georgia and Tennessee. His research focuses on athlete monitoring, sport performance analytics, applied strength and conditioning, and bilateral strength asymmetry. He has published and has presented on the previously mentioned topics at the national and international level.
He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Athlete Monitoring, Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Quantitative Analysis, Quantitative Procedures in Exercise and Sport Sciences, and Biomechanics.
Christopher George Berger grew up in northeastern Ohio wanting to be a commercial pilot for the airlines. Instead, he has become an exercise physiologist and student pilot who maintains an interest in healthy air travel even today. After earning a B.S. in Geography from Arizona State University, Dr. Berger finished an M.S. in Sports Medicine from the University of Oregon and a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kentucky. He has held faculty positions at the University of Pittsburgh, The George Washington University, and the University of Indianapolis.
Berger is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He also holds a certificate in Applied Statistical Analysis from the University of Kentucky Graduate School.
For quite some time now, Berger has been interested in the science of weight management and the ability of resistance training to influence body composition and metabolism. If you ever wanted to increase muscle mass and reduce body fat, Berger's unique background in exercise physiology and nutrition. Recent work has focused on dietary thermogenesis, resistance training, and metabolic rate variances.
Lydia Caldwell is an Assistant Professor in Kinesiology and Health Promotion. She joined the faculty at the University of North Texas in the Fall of 2020. She earned her B.S. in Biology and M.S.E in Exercise Science from the University of Dayton prior to completing her Ph.D. in Kinesiology at The Ohio State University. During her doctorate studies, Caldwell was funded by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, where she supported research with the 711th Human Performance Wing (AFRL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
Dr. Caldwell’s primary research interests are centered around the physiology of exercise performance and recovery optimization. Her most current work has focused on the use of a novel recovery modality, flotation-restricted environmental stimulation therapy, to reduce biomarkers of stress and improve resiliency in military and athletic populations.
John Collins authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, published abstracts, professional presentations, and technical reports. He has been involved in approximately $500,000.00 worth of collaborative research grants and served as a peer reviewer for several journals. His research interests include social-psychological dimensions related to resource and community based recreation planning and management; leisure services related administration, personnel, leadership, and work team studies.
Andrew Colombo-Dougovito is an Assistant Professor of Sport Pedagogy and Motor Behavior in the Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation at University of North Texas. He serves as the Director of the UNT Physical Activity and Motor Skill program and Faculty Liaison to the Kristin Farmer Autism Center at UNT. Colombo-Dougovito's research focuses on understanding the motor abilities and development characteristics of individuals on the autism spectrum and how the development motor skills impact social and adaptive skill development, as well as physical activity participation across the lifespan. Through this research, he strives to develop intervention, assessment and teaching strategies to better improve the quality of physical activity participation of autistic individuals.
Sarah Deemer earned her BS and MS degrees from the University of Texas at El Paso and her PhD from Texas Woman’s University. Sarah then completed three years of postdoctoral training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC). Sarah joined the faculty at UNT in the Fall of 2020. Sarah’s research interests include understanding of the role of exercise and/or nutrition on weight loss and equally important, weight loss maintenance. Specifically, she is interested in the role of the adipocyte and the adipose tissue depot in regulation of insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. Sarah’s research will aim to address the following questions: What important physiological changes occur in the adipocyte as a result of obesity and how does this influence adipocyte remodeling and metabolism, the efficacy of exercise and nutrition interventions for reversing the adverse changes in an “obese” adipocyte, and the integrative mechanisms that mediate the adverse changes associated with obesity and how exercise and nutritional supplements or dietary changes may favorably influence adipocyte metabolism and promote weight loss. Sarah’s additional research interests include the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on insulin sensitivity and adipocytokine production, as well as other nutrition- or exercise-related interventions aimed at reducing the risk of development of Type 2 diabetes and metabolic disease, particularly in minority populations.
Jeff Goodwin received his Ph.D. from Texas Woman's University. He has served as a department chair at two institutions before accepting the department chair position at UNT. In 2008, he stepped down as department chair to teach in the undergraduate and graduate programs in kinesiology. He is a research fellow with the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. His academic area of specialty is motor behavior and his research interests include practice scheduling and information feedback.
David W. Hill is Regents Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation at the University of North Texas. Dr. Hill earned his BA and BS at Southern Illinois University, MAPE at The University of Florida, and PhD at The University of Georgia. He has served as a faculty member at UNT since 1988.
Barb is the Administrative Coordinator for the Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation department, assistant to the Chair and handles payroll, budget and provides support to students.
Dr. M. Jean Keller is a professor in the University of North Texas Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion and chair of the North Texas Regional P-16 Council. She recently served as the UNT interim vice president for community engagement and equity and diversity. She supported UNT Dallas as provost and vice chancellor as the institution transitioned to an independently accredited university in the UNT System. She served as dean of the College of Education at UNT for 15 years. Prior to her career at UNT, she was a department chair at the University of Georgia and a member of the faculty at Indiana University.
She has written or edited 11 books and 18 refereed chapters, and authored more than 100 articles. Dr. Keller has given more than 300 presentations in the United States and several countries. She was awarded more than $6 million of funding by external agencies for research and innovative projects. Dr. Keller is a fellow in the Academy of Leisure Sciences and the Academy of Park and Recreation Administration. She has received recognition for extensive work related to health disparities, persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the North Texas Region P-16 Council, a regional, data-driven collaborative focused on education access and success for all students leading to meaningful employment and quality of life.
Dr. Kim joined the University of North Texas as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2017. He received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Yonsei University in 2008, Master of Science in Sport Management from the University of Florida in 2011, and Ph.D. in Kinesiology (Sport Management and Policy) at the University of Georgia in 2016. He previously held a position at the University of Georgia as a full-time lecturer. His research primarily focuses on sport philanthropy, especially marketing and management of sport-related charitable nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations from consumer behavior and organization theory perspectives.
Scott Martin received his doctorate of philosophy degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is a fellow of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a member of the United States Olympic Committee's Sport Psychology Registry, and an invited member of the Texas Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Partnership. His extensive knowledge in sport, physical fitness, and health psychology has provided him opportunities to interact with numerous coaches, athletes, musicians, military personnel, and business leaders about their performance. His research interests include examining attitudes toward and effectiveness of mental skills services, psychosocial factors associated with health-related fitness — cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition — and effective coaching behaviors and leadership styles. He has authored or co-authored more than 80 refereed professional articles, 10 non-refereed articles, five book chapters, and 200 presentations at state, national, and international conferences. Dr. Martin has received more than $2 million in funding from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (Science Education Partnership Award), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, National Association for Sport and Physical Education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, The Cooper Institute, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and Girls in the Game.
Brian McFarlin earned his BS and MS degrees at Texas Christian University and his PhD at Purdue University. After graduation, he completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Nutrition at Purdue University before becoming an Assistant Professor at The University of Houston. Dr. McFarlin joined the UNT faculty in the Fall of 2012. He is a Professor with tenure at the University of North Texas.
Dr. McFarlin’s research focuses on the use of natural products and exercise to reduce disease risk and improve muscle recovery following injury and strenuous training sessions. Since 2004, he has published more than 115 peer-reviewed articles and obtained more than $3.5 million in externally funded research grants. His research methodology expertise includes flow cytometry and multiplex analysis among other common biological techniques.
Dr. McFarlin is co-director of the University of North Texas’s Applied Physiology Laboratory. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and an editor for the journal METHODS. Dr. McFarlin was recognized as the 2019 UNT Teacher-Scholar and regularly teaches courses in Healthy Lifestyles, Sport Nutrition, and Exercise Physiology. He is considered an expert in the design and implementation of high-quality online and blended courses.
Ellie supports the Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Recreation department Activity Program Coordinator, acts as receptionist, performs clerical duties and provides student support.
Dr. Ryan Olson joined the University of North Texas as an Assistant Professor in fall 2016. He received his B.S. in Kinesiology and Health Promotion from the University of Wyoming prior to completing his Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences at Rutgers University. His research interests center on the fields of Sport and Exercise Psychology, with an emphasis on implementing psychophysiological techniques, including electrocardiography (ECG) and electroencephalography (EEG), to identify neural biomarkers of disease. Specifically, Dr. Olson focuses on: 1) the effects of acute and chronic exercise for improving neurocognitive function and mental health, and 2) examining neurocognitive deficits and autonomic function in at-risk populations, especially in concussed and obese individuals.
Stephanie Silveira joined the University of North Texas as an Assistant Professor in Spring 2021. She received her B.S. in Psychology at Northeastern University prior to completing her Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Obesity Studies at the University of Houston. Dr. Silveira subsequently completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Exercise Neuroscience Research Lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her research interests center on the fields of Sport and Exercise Psychology, with an emphasis on health behavior change among persons with chronic disabling conditions. Dr. Silveira’s research includes mixed-methods approaches in order to engage communities in her research creating tailored health promotion programs and examining outcomes such as psychosocial factors, body composition, fitness, diet, and physical activity.
Dr. Jakob Vingren received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas before pursuing a Ph.D. in Kinesiology at the University of Connecticut (currently ranked the #1 doctoral program in the country). During his undergraduate education he was a walk-on on the UNT football team as a tight end and took part in the Developing Scholars Mentor Program within the College of Education. Dr. Vingren’s research interests include resistance exercise and the effect of alcohol on hormones, muscle and athletic performance. One of the more out of the ordinary research projects he has worked on included resistance training of chronically intoxicated rats.
Joseph Thomas Walker
Kinesiology Undergraduate Program Coordinator PhD 1986 - Texas Woman's University - Humanistic Foundations of Physical Education Specialization in Elementary Physical Education, Sociology of Sport, and Women in Sport Former Chair of the Sport Sociology Academy Former Southern District Representative to the Council on Physical Education for Children Former Editorial Board of Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators Authored or Co-Authored 26 peer-reviewed papers, plus various other publications. Presented more than 50 papers at professional meetings. Research interests: Gender issues in sport across the lifespan, with a focus on media representation women in sport; Youth pedagogy
Tao Zhang earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology from Shanghai University of Sport, and his Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University in 2009. He has been at the University of North Texas since that time.
As a Kinesiology scholar, Dr. Zhang has made more than 150 research presentations at international, national and state conferences, published more than 80 refereed research articles and book chapters, (co-)authored about 100 peer-reviewed research abstracts and conference papers, and completed about 20 funded research projects. His research focuses on supportive physical activity environments, achievement motivation, and youth physical activity and health promotion from social, psychological, pedagogical, and behavioral perspectives.
He was inducted as a Research Fellow in the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) in 2012, and earned the Mabel Lee Award from SHAPE America in 2013. Since 2010, he has already mentored both undergraduate and graduate students who have received over 25 state, national, and international awards for their research. He earned the Outstanding Mentor of the Year Award from SHAPE America in 2017.
Dr. Zhang serves as the Editor-in-Chief for Journal of Teaching, Research, and Media in Kinesiology, and Editorial Board Members for the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education and Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal. He has also served on several committees of professional organizations (American College of Sports Medicine, SHAPE America, and American Educational Research Association). Recently, Dr. Zhang was inducted as a Fellow of American College of Sports Medicine in 2020, and earned the Joy of Effort Award from SHAPE America in 2020.