Research Laboratories

We in the Applied Metabolism & Physiology Laboratory (AMP Lab) conduct clinical translational research to prevent/treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. To accomplish this, we view exercise as a “drug” and focus on improving metabolic health by optimizing the prescription of exercise in people at risk for chronic disease. We study the interaction of exercise intensity/mode with nutrient intake, pharmacology, and/or bariatric surgery to maximize improvements in insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, substrate oxidation, inflammation, appetite and endothelial function.

Directed by Steve Malin, Ph.D.

The ACE²-ING Lab (Applying Causal Evidence & Epidemiology in Intervention & Geroscience Research)  aims to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying age-related conditions and the effects of interventions on these biological mechanisms. This lab integrates large-scale omics and advanced epidemiologic and causal inference methods in observational cohort studies to inform effective interventions to improve the functioning of older adults.

Directed by Fangyu Liu, Ph.D.

The Cardiac Neuroscience Laboratory (CNL) is a National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) supported psychophysiology lab. This lab conducts substance use research that integrates the conceptual models and methods of psychology, neuroscience, physiology, and advanced quantitative strategies. Ongoing research focuses on cardiovascular signaling to understand the relationships between alcohol and other drug use behaviors, cognition, emotional regulation, and brain activity. The lab provides team science training for undergraduate and graduate students, post-baccalaureate research assistants, postdoctoral fellows, and early career faculty.

Directed by Marsha Bates, Ph.D.

The Cardiovascular Stress Reactivity Lab focuses on how recreational alcohol and cannabis use taxes human physiological systems and undermines health. By considering substance use as a physiological stressor, we liken it to poor diet, insufficient sleep, and sedentary behavior, all of which force bodily systems away from their homeostatic set points in dose-dependent ways. Our ongoing studies use cardiovascular psychophysiology to measure how unhealthy behaviors ‘pile up’ to stress our heart and vessels.

Directed by Jennifer Buckman, Ph.D.

The Exercise and Gastrointestinal Health Laboratory is primarily focused on the microbiome, intestinal integrity and inflammation. Exercise can mediate systemic inflammation by enhancing intestinal integrity and favorably altering the gut microbes. The lab uses mouse models to determine the extent to which the microbes change in response to exercise. Research looks at how this protects the intestinal lining and down-regulates systemic inflammation to promote health and combat disease.

Directed by Sara Campbell, Ph.D.

The primary focus of the Health Neuroscience Laboratory is on the role of exercise in promoting physiological, neurocognitive, and psychological resilience. The lab uses advanced psychophysiological techniques including impedance cardiography and electroencephalography to better understand acute and chronic adaptations to exercise, and how knowledge of these adaptations can be applied to intervention development. This work is helping to elucidate mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise on mental health states (e.g., anxiety and depression). A secondary focus is on correlates of youth and adult physical activity behaviors.

Directed by Brandon Alderman, Ph.D.

The Physical Activity & Neuroscience Laboratory (PANL) focuses on physical activity measurement and intervention for improving cognition and cardiovascular health across the lifespan. We use wearable technology to assess physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep in real-world settings and examine their interactions with health outcomes in diverse populations via advanced statistical approaches. Our current work also involves developing evidence-based exercise training and behavioral interventions to promote health and well-being in aging and neurological conditions.

Directed by Peixuan Zheng, Ph.D.

The Rutgers Applied Biomechanics Laboratory (RABL) focuses on clinical biomechanics in rehabilitation settings. The lab uses advanced biomechanical techniques and equipment including 3-dimensional motion capture, force platforms, and electromyography to understand clinical needs for patient populations and to develop targeted interventions tailored to improving health related outcomes, primarily using augmented visual feedback.

Directed by Erik Hummer, Ph.D.

The Rutgers Exercise, Aging, and Brain Health Laboratory utilizes accelerometers and energy expenditure measurements to explore how physical activity behaviors and physiological factors influence cognitive function and the pathophysiological aspects of Alzheimer's disease. The lab employs various neuroimaging techniques to identify the neurological pathways through which physical activity and exercise support the maintenance of cognitive health in later life.

Directed by Ryan J. Dougherty, Ph.D.

The Human Performance Laboratory seeks to understand determinants of exercise performance across diverse environments and populations. The lab integrates physiology, psychology, and neuroscience with advanced measurement and quantitative tools to characterize performance trajectories and develop interventions to improve long-term performance outcomes. One ongoing project is characterizing factors that influence the trajectories of running performance from high school through college. Another line of research focuses on the cardiovascular responses to respiratory manipulations.

Co-directed by Erik Hummer, Ph.D. and Jennifer Buckman, Ph.D.

The Rutgers Sleep Lab aims to promote wellness by focusing on the role of sleep for mental and physical health. Research methods utilized by the Rutgers Sleep Lab include observational studies, experiments and behavioral interventions in adults of all ages.

Directed by Andrea Spaeth, Ph.D.