 rotate(10)'/%3E%3Cpath d='M.038.113v.15l.15.088.15-.088v-.15L.188.025l-.15.088Z' stroke='%23c44900' stroke-width='.0375' transform='rotate(10)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Current Research Investigation(s)
- Currently conducting a research investigation on “Profile of the Pre-Physical Therapy Student at A Predominately Hispanic Institution in South Texas.” This research investigation seeks to quantify who the Pre- PT student is in terms of grade point average, demographics, course and research experience.
- Finalizing a research investigation on “Quantifying the Environmental Thermal Conditions that Exist During Track Meets During the Summer Months in South Texas.” This type of research investigation has never been conducted in south Texas, and it seeks to quantify for athletes, parents, coaches, and track & field organizations the dangers of putting on summer track meets in a pediatric athletic population.
Planned Research Investigation(s)
- DPT Student’s Perceptions of Their Undergraduate Preparation for Physical Therapy School, Fall 2018-Spring 2019.
Manuscripts Under Preparation
Gonzalez, J., Gomez S., Luevano J., Lawrence L., Valdez, A., Rayner J., Ortiz A. (2017). Blood Biomarkers and The Prevalence of Diabetes at a Predominately Hispanic Institution in South Texas in College Age Students 18-30 years Old. Targeted peer-reviewed journal is Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.
Publication
Gonzalez, J., Davenport M., Renolla E., Cartagenas A., Escamilla D., Chandler K., Jorgensen L., Gray R., and Yoo S. (2015). Metabolic Syndrome at a Predominantly Hispanic Institution in South Texas among Kinesiology Majors 18-30 Years Old, Texas Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance Journal (TAHPERD). Fall 2015.
Murat Karabulut, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance. Dr. Karabulut obtained his Ph.D. in Exercise Science from The University of Oklahoma at Norman. He has two of the most recognized certifications in the field (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)). He is also a member of several organizations and serves as a reviewer for several journals.
Research Interests:
One of the main goals of his research has been to develop/improve non-pharmacological interventions to prevent health problems and improve the health status of those who have metabolic problems, cardiovascular problems, and age-related health problems.
- He is interested in assessing the changes in neural and muscular systems that are responsible for training-induced adaptations utilizing several different techniques such as twitch interpolation, electromyography (EMG), and mechanomyography (MMG).
- He would like to conduct more studies to determine the best combinations of the main parameters of different exercise training techniques to develop a more effective training protocol.
- He would like to continue investigating the safety of various training techniques and compare acute and chronic effects of different training protocols on body composition and bone remodeling by using dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
- He is also interested in conducting more blood flow restriction (BFR) and other modes of exercise training studies to prevent and/or improve metabolic function and arterial stiffness of those who have diabetes and who are older/elderly.
Ulku S. Karabulut, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance. She was a recipient Turkish Government Fellowship. Dr. Karabulut received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She was a CoHA Research Fellow in 2017-2018 and received a Student Mentoring Award in 2018.
Dr. Karabulut's research focuses on the relationship among physical activity, body composition, and arterial elasticity in the Hispanic population, metabolic syndrome risk factors among, school physical activity policy, and sleep and childhood obesity. She is a member of American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Society for Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE). She regularly presents at state and national ACS conferences, and the UTRGV SOM Research Symposium.
Dr. Lin Wang graduated from the University of Virginia with a Ph. D. in Physical Education with an emphasis in Motor Learning that explores constructing effective environments for teaching/coaching/rehabilitation. Her two masters degrees are from the University of Northern Iowa and Guangzhou Institute of Physical Education.
The focus of Dr. Wang's research projects, presentations, and publications has been on different factors contributing to building an effective learning/training/rehab environment. She firmly believes that instructors/teachers hold the tremendous power to build an effective learning environment in and out of a classroom/gym; for the same reason, parents/guardians at home. Moreover, culturally appropriate teaching/training/rehab materials enhance the efficacy of a behavioral change intervention.
Children in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas have a special place in Dr. Wang's heart because they are at a disadvantage due to the lack of opportunities in this geological location. The only way out is through education and in health.
Dr. Soojin Yoo, Associate Professor in Health and Human Performance at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, obtained her PhD in sport pedagogy with an emphasis on physical activity and health promotion at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and her master in exercise science with an emphasis on exercise physiology at the Ewha Womans University.
Her research focuses on the promotion of physical activity, physical fitness, and health in various populations including clinical settings (diabetes, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc.), worksites, schools and community. Her work on physical activity intervention has emphasized 1) the utility of technology; consumer-based wearable monitors and applications for behavior and health outcome change programming; and 2) development of healthy and active environments (schools, worksites, parks, and community settings).