Graduate Program Faculty
Sibohan Craige, PhD
Assistant Professor
1012 ILSB | 540-231-4149
craigesm@vt.edu
Molecular and Cellular Science
Elucidate mechanisms by which diet and exercise influence vascular health and the prevention of cardio-metabolic disease.
Brenda Davy, PhD, RDN
Professor
266-B Wallace Hall | 540-231-6784
bdavy@vt.edu
Behavioral and Community Science
Clinical Physiology and Metabolism
Obesity and body weight regulation: behavioral and metabolic aspects; diet and cardiovascular diseases; dietary intake assessment; water and beverage intake and health
Kevin Davy, PhD
Professor
215 War Memorial Hall
540-231-3487 | kdavy@vt.edu
Clinical Physiology and Metabolism
Cardiovascular and metabolic consequences of obesity and aging; role of physical activity and nutrition Lab website
Alexandra DiFeliceantonio, PhD
Assistant Professor
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, CTRHB
1 Riverside Circle, Roanoke VA
540-526-2285 | dife@vtc.vt.edu
Clinical Physiology and Metabolism
Studies how the brain integrates peripheral signals to guide food motivation, choice, and eating behavior using neuroimaging (fMRI) and metabolic measures.
Joshua Drake, PhD
Assistant Professor
1037 ILSB | 540-231-5119
joshuacd@vt.edu
Molecular and Cellular Science
Studies how mitochondrial quality control in primarily post-mitotic tissues (e.g. skeletal muscle) mediates the capacity for healthy aging.
Madlyn Frisard, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
339 Wallace Hall | 540-231-9994
frisardm@vt.edu
Clinical Physiology and Metabolism
Skeletal muscle physiology and mitochondrial biology in obesity and metabolic disease; biological factors that influence adherence and outcomes in weight management
Deborah Good, PhD
Associate Professor
1020 ILSB | 540-231-0430
goodd@vt.edu
Molecular and Cellular Science
Role of bHLH transcription factors in hypothalamic gene expression and regulation of energy expenditure; the use of transgenic and knockout animals, and phylogenetic analysis of gene and allele evolution
Robert Grange, PhD
Associate Professor
Interim Department Head
Director, Metabolism Core
338 Wallace Hall | 540-231-2725
rgrange@vt.edu
Molecular and Cellular Science
Pathogenic mechanisms and treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy; preclinical gene therapy to treat myotubular myopathy; muscle progenitors derived from inducible pluripotent stem cells to treat neuromuscular diseases; development of mathematical models of muscle function; exercise prescription to treat tendinopathies
Samantha Harden, PhD
Assistant Professor
1032 ILSB | 540-231-9960
harden.samantha@vt.edu
Behavioral and Community Science
Physical activity as a mechanism for improved health outcomes and psychological well-being; especially from a group dynamics-based approach
Lab website
Valisa Hedrick, PhD, RDN
Assistant Professor
335-A Wallace Hall | 540-231-7983
vhedrick@vt.edu
Clinical Physiology and Metabolism
Behavioral and Community Science
Development and translation of dietary assessment methodology for the prevention and treatment of obesity and related comorbidities.
Matthew Hulver, PhD
Professor
1037 ILSB | 540-231-7354
hulvermw@vt.edu
Molecular and Cellular Science
Clinical Physiology and Metabolism
Skeletal muscle substrate preference and metabolic flexibility; mechanistic signals for mitochondrial substrate selection; metabolic adaptation to changes in diet and physical activity or inactivity; etiology of skeletal muscle metabolic inflexibility in context of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.
Young Ju, PhD
Associate Professor
325 Wallace Hall | 540-231-6168
yhju@vt.edu
Behavioral and Community Science
Exploring the potential benefits of integrative health in a variety of situations that include pain management, relief of symptoms in cancer patients and survivors, quality of life improvement, and promoting healthy behaviors.
Vivica Kraak, PhD, RDN
Assistant Professor
257 Wallace Hall | 540-231-9638
vivica51@vt.edu
Behavioral and Community Science
U.S. and global food and nutrition policy; population‐based approaches to promote healthy food environments and prevent diet‐related non‐ communicable diseases; improve food and beverage marketing practices aimed at children and adolescents; and make translational research relevant to policymakers.
Dongmin Liu, PhD
Professor
1030 ILSB | 540-231-3402
doliu@vt.edu
Molecular and Cellular Science
Molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals in regulation of vascular function, steroid biology and vascular angiogenesis; identification of bioactive compounds to prevent diabetes and understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms.
Sarah Misyak, PhD
Research Scientist
333 Wallace Hall | 540-231-8541
sbudowle@vt.edu
Behavioral and Community Science
Social determinants of health, community food systems, and health disparities
Carlin Rafie, PhD, RD
Assistant Professor
321 Wallace Hall | 540-231-3162
crafie@vt.edu
Behavioral and Community Science
Need based community program development, lifestyle modification program development for improved health outcomes, cancer risk reduction and improved cancer survivorship, methods of community engagement in research.
Eva Schmelz, PhD
Associate Professor
1011 ILSB | 540-231-3649
eschmelz@vt.edu
Molecular and Cellular Science
Cancer prevention; role of dietary and endogenous sphingolipids in cancer progression and metastasis: molecular mechanisms; obesity and ovarian cancer
Elena Serrano, PhD
Professor
327 Wallace Hall | 540-231-3464
serrano@vt.edu
Behavioral and Community Science
Evaluation of the effectiveness of programs, policies, and practices to address childhood obesity and food insecurity among SNAP populations
Jeff Stein, PhD
Assistant Professor
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, CTRHB
1 Riverside Circle, Roanoke VA
540-526-2124 | jstein1@vt.edu
Behavioral and Community Science
Develop and refine practical, low-cost interventions that improve health behaviors.
Jay Williams, PhD
Professor
323 Wallace Hall | 540-231-8298
jhwms@vt.edu
Clinical Physiology and Metabolism
Acute responses and chronic adaptations of muscle to activity and disease