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Huffines Staff
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Institute Director: Dr. J. Timothy Lightfoot
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PhD FACSM RCEP CES, Omar Smith Endowed Chair in Kinesiology, Dept. of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University.
Dr. Lightfoot received his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Northeast Louisiana University and his doctorate from the University of Tennessee. He then completed a research consultantship with NASA at Kennedy Space Center in the Biomedical Laboratory and then a three-year National Institute of Health postdoctoral research fellowship in the Division of Physiology at Johns Hopkins University. He was an Assistant and Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University for 6 years, and a Professor at the University of North Carolina Charlotte for 14 years, 11 years of which he was Chair of the department. Dr. Lightfoot has published over 50 scientific, peer-reviewed articles on the genetics of daily physical activity and exercise endurance, as well as the physiological response to high-G exposure and hemorrhage and is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health to conduct research on the genetics of physical activity. His lab also has an unique interest in the physiological responses of motorsports athletes to the race environment. His research has been featured in numerous general media outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Time.com, National Public Radio, the Rush Limbaugh show, CNN, the NBC Today Show, MSNBC, Charlotte Talks radio show, Revista Epoca (a Brazilian weekly magazine), and on Australian National Radio.
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Institute Administrative Assistant: Ms. Megan Schwartz
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Ms. Schwartz is from Bainbridge Island, Washington. She earned a BA in Cross-cultural Sociology from Westmont College and studied in Asia. She has since lived and worked across the states and in Germany and England. Ms. Schwartz earned a CELTA and has taught English as a Foreign Language at home and abroad. She has also worked intensively with students to improve their literacy. She enjoys cooking, hiking, languages and is learning to garden in Texas.
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Communication Specialist: Mr. Dell Billings
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Mr. Billings is the Communication Specialist for the Dept. of Health and Kinesiology at Texas A&M, but his services are displayed throughout the Huffines Institute's website. In particular, his great camera work and video editing are evident in the Video Podcasts of all of the Huffines' Discussion speakers.
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Institute Volunteers
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Mr. David Ferguson, MS RCEP
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David is a third year doctoral student studying Exercise Physiology at Texas A&M University. He received his Bachelors degree in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and his Masters degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. During his Masters degree David worked with NASCAR pit crews to investigate the physiological effects of the racing environment on pit crew health and performance. To date, he is the only person to have published a study examining the physiological response of NASCAR pit crews during a race. Following his Masters degree David entered the PhD program at UNC Charlotte. David transferred to Texas A&M University in Fall 2010 to continue his research goal of investigating the genetic regulation of physical activity. David is also a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine.
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Ms. Emily Schmitt, MS
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Emily is a second year doctoral student studying Exercise Physiology at Texas A&M University and specializing in the genetic regulation of physical activity. Before coming to Texas, Emily worked as an exercise physiologist in the Strides to Strength Program at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC. This program was designed to help cancer patients manage fatigue levels and overcome physical and emotional limitations following a cancer diagnosis. Emily has also spent a number of years working with older adults in the clinical setting to help them better manage chronic conditions through individualized exercise programs. Emily received her Bachelors degree in Exercise/Sport Science from Elon University and her Masters degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of North Carolina Charlotte.
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Ms. Greeshma Prabhu, BS
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Ms. Prabhu trained and worked as a physical therapist in Mumbai, India. She is now pursuing a Masters degree in Kinesiology at the Texas A&M University with the goal of balancing the combination of clinical practice and research.
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Ms. Michelle Dawes, BS
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Ms. Dawes is currently a second year doctoral student in the Interdisciplinary Genetics program. Ms. Dawes has a B.S. in Animal Science from Michigan State University and is an avid triathlete. |
Ms. Sheril Marek
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Ms. Marek is currently serving as producer of our podcasts and our text articles. She is from Little River-Academy, Texas. She is currently a senior Kinesiology major at Texas A&M University with a concentration in Applied Exercise Physiology. She plans on attending Texas A&M University's M.S. in Kinesiology program with an emphasis on Sport Physiology in the upcoming fall. Later, she plans on attending physical therapy school. |
Ms. Kelsey Sachse
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Ms. Sachse is currently serving as a Producer for our audio podcasts and our text articles. She will be completing her B.S. in Kinesiology at Texas A&M in the Spring 2012. She hopes to attend physical therapy school the following fall. |
Ms. Analisa Jimenez
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Ms. Jimenez is a Junior in Kinesiology and is volunteering in the Biology of Physical Activity Lab. In her spare time, she is also volunteering in the Huffines Institute. |
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