Researchers
Rudy Valentine, Ph.D.
Dr. Valentine is an Assistant Professor at Iowa State. His teaching responsibilities include: KIN 358-Physiology of Exercise, KIN 359-Exercise Physiology Lab, KIN 462-Medical Aspects of Exercise, KIN 505-Research Laboratory Techniques in Exercise Physiology, KIN 550-Advanced Physiology of Exercise I, and KIN 553X-Molecular Physiology and Metabolism. Dr. Valentine graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Physiology and a minor in Human Nutrition in 2003 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He got his Master's in Exercise Physiology at James Madison University. For his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology he returned to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to coming to Iowa State, Dr. Valentine completed post-doctoral training at Boston University. Click on the button below to view more of Dr. Valentine's work. |
Hyeyoon Eo, Ph.D.
Hyeyoon received her Ph.D. in the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences in 2021. Her dissertation was on 'PKR in skeletal muscle: Effect of imoxin on muscle atrophy, ER stress, and insulin signaling pathways in C2C12 myotubes'. Hyeyoon is from South Korea and received both Bachelor's and Master's degree in Kyung Hee University, South Korea with majors in Food Science and Nutrition. Her research interest/topic is to explore which food components or food extracts can prevent/improve insulin resistance and regulate energy metabolism as well as oxidative stress/inflammation in obesity and its related complications such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease in terms of organ crosstalk. "Upon graduation of the doctoral program, I want to find a faculty position at a University and hopefully work not only as a good teacher but also as a pioneer of nutritional research field which I do love". She is currently a postdoctoral fellow at Kyung Hee University. |
Carter Reed, Ph.D. Student
Carter is a Ph.D. student in the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences. He is from West Burlington, IA and received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Kinesiology and Health with a minor in Nutritional Sciences from Iowa State University. His research interests/topics include exercise effects on the brain and also exercise effects on mitochondrial health and performance. "After I graduate I want to become a full professor with a focus on teaching Exercise Physiology at the undergraduate and graduate level. I would also like to work with athletes and conduct more research in the fields of Exercise Physiology, and Nutrition." |
Undergraduate research assistants
Joe Nuckolls
Joe has a sick beard sometimes.
Joe has a sick beard sometimes.
John Davis
John is an undergraduate in Biology, with a minor in Spanish. In the future, he plans to attend medical school and practice medicine somewhere in Iowa. “I joined Dr. Valentine’s lab to learn more about nutritional science and related research. I have since met and made many friends with the faculty and fellow undergrads, and have enjoyed working in this field of study.” |
Jonathan Richardson
Jack is an undergraduate double majoring in Dietetics and Nutritional Science. He is looking forward to gaining experience in the lab and working with other members of the research team. "I chose to work with Dr. Valentine and the Kinesiology department because I find the effects food has on exercise to be a more interesting topic than nutrition alone". |
Nikki Casey
Nikki is an undergraduate in Biology with a minor in Spanish. She plans on going to Dental School to become an orthodontist. She is excited to learn more about lab techniques and gain experience in lab settings. She joined Dr. Valentine's lab to learn more about nutritional science and the human body.
Nikki is an undergraduate in Biology with a minor in Spanish. She plans on going to Dental School to become an orthodontist. She is excited to learn more about lab techniques and gain experience in lab settings. She joined Dr. Valentine's lab to learn more about nutritional science and the human body.
Jake Nielsen
Jake is a sophomore majoring in pre-med kinesiology. He is currently helping Dr. Valentine in the lab with his research on metabolic disorders. Jake is glad that serving as an Undergraduate Assistant will provide him with more insight and knowledge about how the internal mechanism of cells are affected by diet and exercise and how this relates to particular diseases in the human body. He hopes to attend medical school in the Midwest once he graduates.
Jake is a sophomore majoring in pre-med kinesiology. He is currently helping Dr. Valentine in the lab with his research on metabolic disorders. Jake is glad that serving as an Undergraduate Assistant will provide him with more insight and knowledge about how the internal mechanism of cells are affected by diet and exercise and how this relates to particular diseases in the human body. He hopes to attend medical school in the Midwest once he graduates.
Anna Tystahl
Anna is an undergraduate in Biology, with a minor in Spanish. In the future, she plans to go to graduate school to be a Physician's Assistant. She is excited to learn the ins and outs of working in a research lab and to work with such driven individuals. "I wanted to join this lab because I think the hands on experience will be very beneficial for my future. This particular lab sparked my interest because of the close ties I have with individuals who have diabetes. Knowing that we could better their future through our research is really special."
Anna is an undergraduate in Biology, with a minor in Spanish. In the future, she plans to go to graduate school to be a Physician's Assistant. She is excited to learn the ins and outs of working in a research lab and to work with such driven individuals. "I wanted to join this lab because I think the hands on experience will be very beneficial for my future. This particular lab sparked my interest because of the close ties I have with individuals who have diabetes. Knowing that we could better their future through our research is really special."
Where Are They Now?
Corey Summers, MS
Corey completed his MS in both Immunobiology and Kinesiology. He did his undergraduate work at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis with a major of biology and minor in chemistry. Corey is interested in the vast molecular mechanisms that cells use to respond with the environment. His thesis was entitled “Impact of acute heat treatment on autophagy and insulin signaling in C2C12 myotubes”. Corey currently works in a lab at the National Animal Disease Center. |
Kelly Fuller, MS, Ph.D.
Kelly is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Colorado. Kelly completed her Master's degree in Nutritional Sciences at Iowa State University in 2016. Her thesis was entitled “Effects of prior aerobic exercise on high-fat meal-induced inflammation”. She then earned a Ph.D. in Molecular and Integrative Physiology at KU Med, while also completing her dietetics training. Prior to coming to ISU she received her B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Connecticut in 2014. Her research interest are nutrition and exercise interventions as protective mechanisms against chronic disease. Specifically, the molecular modulation of insulin signaling and inflammation.
Kelly is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Colorado. Kelly completed her Master's degree in Nutritional Sciences at Iowa State University in 2016. Her thesis was entitled “Effects of prior aerobic exercise on high-fat meal-induced inflammation”. She then earned a Ph.D. in Molecular and Integrative Physiology at KU Med, while also completing her dietetics training. Prior to coming to ISU she received her B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Connecticut in 2014. Her research interest are nutrition and exercise interventions as protective mechanisms against chronic disease. Specifically, the molecular modulation of insulin signaling and inflammation.
Previous Undergraduate research assistants
Amanda Wuttke
Amanda graduated in 2017 with a B.S in Kinesiology and a minor in Health Promotion. She has been apart of the lab since 2016 and has enjoyed learning how to do analyze data. She is interested in how Type II Diabetes affects the human body and how exercise can prevent this disease. After graduation, Amanda worked as a research coordinator and is currently attending Nursing school. |
Sarah Siegel
Sarah Siegel joined the lab in January 2016. Her motivation to join the lab was to learn more about the research process and obtain a more hands-on experience. She assisted with western blots, PBMC isolations, and other various benchtop tasks. In addition, she helped with the lab’s research study at the Nutrition and Wellness Research Center by collecting anthropometric data through August 2016. Sarah graduated from Iowa State in 2017 with a major in Kinesiology and Health and a minor in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy at Des Moines University. |
Evelyne Guay
Evelyne graduated in 2018 as a Kinesiology Pre-Med major, and was selected to serve as the Student Marshal for the College of Human Sciences Convocation. A native of Oakville, Ontario, Canada Evelyne competed on the Iowa State Cross-Country and Track teams. Her work in the lab led to her presentation: Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Activities of Daily Living in Older Adults. For her academic and athletic success Evelyne was awarded the Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship. She is currently attending medical school in Ontario, Canada. |
Emma Troyer
Emma plans to graduate in 2020 with a B.S. in Biology. She decided that research was beneficial for her future in the fact that she could learn methodology of research and apply it to her future career. Emma would like to be a physician of some kind, and having a background of research is helpful with her future plans. |