Faculty by research area
Our accomplished researchers bring expertise and innovation to a variety of dynamic research areas, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of human movement, health, and well-being. Explore the diverse research interests of our faculty members, spanning from biomechanics and exercise physiology to sport management and physical activity interventions.
Biomechanics and neuromotor control faculty
Emmanuel Bonney Emmanuel Bonney
- Assistant Professor, Biomechanics and Neuromotor Control
- 612-626-9442
- ebonney@umn.edu
Emmanuel Bonney, PhD, is an assistant professor at the School of Kinesiology in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota.
Rachel Hawe Rachel Hawe
- Assistant Professor, Biomechanics and Neuromotor Control
- she, her, hers
- rhawe@umn.edu
Rachel Hawe, PhD, is an assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology. Her main research goal is to maximize recovery following a neurologic injury such as stroke.
Juergen Konczak Juergen Konczak
- Professor, Biomechanics and Neuromotor Control; Director of Graduate Studies (DGS)
- 612-624-4370
- jkonczak@umn.edu
Juergen Konczak, PhD, is a professor in the School of Kinesiology. His research focuses on the neurophysiology and biomechanics of human motor function in clinical and special populations.
Exercise physiology faculty
Daniel Craighead Daniel Craighead
- Assistant Professor, Exercise Physiology
- dcraighe@umn.edu
Daniel Craighead, PhD, is an assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology. His research focuses on cardiovascular dysfunctions and potential therapies to improve function.
Donald Dengel Donald Dengel
- Professor, Exercise Physiology
- 612-626-9701
- denge001@umn.edu
Donald Dengel, PhD, is a professor in the School of Kinesiology. His research focuses on body composition and its effects on insulin sensitivity and peripheral vascular function.
Sarah Greising Sarah Greising
- Associate Professor, Exercise Physiology; Associate Director for Research and External Funding
- 612-626-7890
- grei0064@umn.edu
Sarah Greising, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Kinesiology. Her research interests revolve around the plasticity and regeneration of the skeletal muscle.
Anton Hesse Anton Hesse
- Lecturer, Exercise Physiology
- he, him, his
- hesse151@umn.edu
While in graduate school here at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, I discovered a passion for teaching undergraduate kinesiology courses. I currently teach human anatomy and also human physiology.
Physical activity and health promotion faculty
Emily Kringle Emily Kringle
- Assistant Professor, Physical Activity and Health Promotion
- she, her, hers
- ekringle@umn.edu
Emily Kringle, PhD, OTR/L, is an assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology. Her research largely focuses on health promotion among adults with disabilities and neurological disorders.
Brianna N. Leitzelar Brianna N. Leitzelar
- Assistant Professor, Physical Activity and Health Promotion
- leitz025@umn.edu
Brianna Leitzelar, PhD, uses community-engaged and mixed methods to develop accessible and effective movement-based interventions to improve quality of life and reduce long-term symptoms for cancer survivors.
Katie Schuver Katie Schuver
- Lecturer, Physical Activity & Health Promotion; Director, Sport and Exercise Science MEd & Physical Activity and Health Promotion MEd
- schuv007@umn.edu
Katie Schuver, PhD, LADC, is a lecturer in physical activity and health promotion in the School of Kinesiology and lead graduate faculty for the Yoga Focus Area at the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing.
Sport and exercise psychology faculty
Alex Garn Alex Garn
- Professor, Sport and Exercise Psychology; Director, School of Kinesiology
- garn0079@umn.edu
Alex Garn, PhD, is a professor and the director of the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on psychosocial determinants of physical activity with an emphasis on achievement motivation and behavior change.
Candace Hogue Candace Hogue
- Assistant Professor, Sport and Exercise Psychology
- she, her, hers
- chogue@umn.edu
Candace M. Hogue, PhD is an assistant professor of sport and exercise psychology in the School of Kinesiology. Her research she aims to understand how we can help athletes better manage performance stress.
Beth Lewis Beth Lewis
- Professor; Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost
- she/her/hers
- 612-626-9545
- blewis@umn.edu
My research broadly focuses on examining the efficacy of behavioral interventions for increasing physical activity among sedentary adults.
Andrea Silva Andrea Silva
- Lecturer, Kinesiology
- she, her, hers
- 612-624-6469
- silva330@umn.edu
Andrea is a lecturer in the School of Kinesiology.
Chelsey Thul Chelsey Thul
- Senior Lecturer, Psychology of Physical Activity
- 612-301-1382
- rodd0020@umn.edu
Chelsey Thul, PhD, is an student-centered educator and award-winning scholar on the topics of health equity and justice, youth empowerment, positive youth development, community-centered research, and physical activity.
Diane Wiese-Bjornstal Diane Wiese-Bjornstal
- Professor, Sport and Exercise Psychology
- 612-625-6580
- dwiese@umn.edu
Diane M. Wiese-Bjornstal, PhD, is a professor in the School of Kinesiology. She is the Director of the Sports Medicine Psychology Laboratory and is an affiliated scholar with the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport.
Sport management faculty
Lisa Kihl Lisa Kihl
- Professor, Sport Management; Director, Global Institute for Responsible Sport Organizations (GIRSO)
- she, her, hers
- 612-624-3150
- lkihl@umn.edu
Lisa Kihl, PhD, is a professor in the School of Kinesiology. Her research interest is in the intersection of sport management ethics, governance, and policy.
Kevin King Kevin King
- Teaching Specialist, Sport Management
- 612-626-3350
- kingk@umn.edu
Kevin King is a teaching specialist in the sport management program in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities.
Landy Lu Landy Lu
- Assistant Professor, Sport Management
- she, her, hers
- dlu@umn.edu
Landy Lu is an assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology. Her research focuses on organizational management at the intersections of sport, health and wellness, and events.
Mitchell McSweeney Mitchell McSweeney
- Assistant Professor, Sport Management
- mmcsween@umn.edu
Mitchell McSweeney, PhD, is an assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology. His research revolves around how sport and physical activity can contribute to development, entrepreneurial strategies in sport organizations, and social change.
Vicki Schull Vicki Schull
- Senior Lecturer, Sport Management; Director, Sport Management MEd
- 612-625-5300
- schu1850@umn.edu
Vicki Schull is a lecturer in sport management in the School of Kinesiology and an affiliated scholar with the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport.
Bo Yu Bo Yu
- Assistant Professor, Sport Management
- yub@umn.edu
Bo Yu, PhD, is an assistant professor. His research focuses on how innovative technology, such as esports, social live streaming services, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence, empowers athlete branding and personal development.
Sport sociology faculty
Dunja Antunovic Dunja Antunovic
- Associate Professor, Sport Sociology; Honors Faculty Representative; College Consultative Committee
- she, her, hers
- 612-310-0421
- dunjaant@umn.edu
Dunja Antunovic, PhD, is an associate professor in sport sociology. She teaches courses on the cultural, historical and philosophical dimensions of sport.
Nicole M. LaVoi Nicole M. LaVoi
- Senior Lecturer, Sport Sociology; Associate Director for Innovation and Professional Development
- she, her, hers
- 612-626-6055
- nmlavoi@umn.edu
Nicole M. LaVoi, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the School of Kinesiology. Her multidisciplinary research answers critical questions that can make a different in the lives of sport stakeholders—particularly girls and women.
