A message from the DEO

August 2026

Dear HSHP Faculty and Staff:

Welcome to the Fall 2026 semester and our first day in the new Health Sciences Academic Building (HSAB)! This semester we will welcome 2600+ undergraduate students and ~100 graduate students to the department’s classrooms, teaching labs, research labs, and experiential learning spaces! Thank you for your commitment to providing such a high-impact and exciting student experience! 

I also wanted to thank you all for your cooperation and help with the transition from the Field House to HSAB earlier this summer! And of course, one more huge thanks to Genette Campbell for her enormous job coordinating the move not only this summer, but for the past 3 years that culminates today as we welcome students for the 1st day of classes!

I want to also recognize many of you who were deeply engaged in leading experiential learning practicum and field experiences, teaching online didactic courses, and mentoring students across the HHP, SRM, and TR curricula over the summer. Indeed, this summer, the department offered a total of 49 courses, with 677 students enrolled!  This includes two summer study abroad courses- one led by Prof. Luc Carr for 3 weeks to Spain and another led by Prof. Bri Swope for 3 weeks to South Africa!  In addition to our robust teaching efforts, all of our tenure-track faculty, graduate students, and some undergraduates were actively conducting research over the summer. We're especially proud to share that several undergraduate students were awarded 10-week Independent Creative Research by Undergraduates (ICRU) Fellowships through the Office of Undergraduate Research. Thank you for continuing to provide our students with such meaningful, hands-on learning experiences—whether in the field, the classroom, or the lab.

As mentioned at the faculty and staff meeting on Friday, I’m excited to welcome our new faculty to HSHP this fall, including:

Faculty:

  • Jeremy Bigalke, PhD, Assistant Professor
  • Nick Fears, PhD, Assistant Professor
  • Kat Broughton, PhD, Associate Professor of Instruction, SRM
  • Jenna Springer, MS, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Health Promotion/Coaching
  • Brianna Montross, MS, RDN, LD, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Exercise Science/Nutrition
  • Joshua Stice, MS, CSCS, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Exercise Science/Human Phys
  • Niel Kotze, MSc (Med), Assistant Professor of Instruction, Anatomy labs
  • Jason Babcock, BS, Lab Instructor
  • Imani Bush, MS, Lab Instructor
  • Bella Gerhardt, MA, Lab Instructor

Staff:

  • Isabella Jimenez, Instructional Support Coordinator-labs
  • Allie Misner, Instructional Support Coordinator- labs
  • Matt Schuch, CLAS/HSHP Accountant

I also want to share new faculty leadership roles for the 2026–27 academic year. Please join me in congratulating the following colleagues:

  • Shawn Flanagan, PhD – Director of Undergraduate Studies, Human Physiology (BS)
  • Sara Hardin, PhD– Director of Undergraduate Studies, Sport and Recreation Management (BS)
  • Vitor Lira, PhD- Director of Graduate Studies, Health and Human Physiology (MS and PhD)
  • Erin Talbert, PhD- Undergraduate Research Coordinator

Congratulations to each of you and thank you for your willingness to take on these important service roles for the department!

Lastly, don’t forget to join us for the HSAB dedication ceremony hosted by UICA and President Wilson on Wednesday, September 2 at 3 pm, and our HSAB Open House on Friday, September 18, from 2-4 pm.

In this month’s DEO Newsletter, I’m pleased to share some departmental updates, faculty achievements and recognitions, recent presentations, publications, and grants awarded since the end of the spring semester.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Have a great week 1!

Sincerely,
 

Gary L. Pierce
Professor and Chair, Department of Health and Human Physiology
Russell B. Day and Florence D. Day Endowed Chair in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Departmental updates

HSHP Communications Request Form

The CLAS Marketing and Communications team, with support from our communications student, is now managing the department's Communications Request Form. 

Please bookmark the form for convenient access and use it for all requests. Note that email submissions will be redirected to the form. You can also find the form labeled “Marcom Request” at the very bottom of the HSHP website.

CLAS & HSHP Apparel

Visit The University of Iowa Brand Store to final all sorts of CLAS & HSHP branded gear & apparel

Health Sciences Academic Building (HSAB)

Welcome to your new home in HSAB! It's hard to believe how quickly the summer flew by, and we are excited to finally have everyone in the building. A comprehensive facilities report will be provided at Friday's Return to Campus meeting; in the meantime, please visit the new Facilities & Space Management webpages for all HSAB-related information, requests, and resources.

Faculty searches and hires

The department is conducting several faculty searches. An update on the searches is below:

  • Professor of Instruction/Practice in Exercise Science: The search committee, Kathy Mellen (chair), Clay Peterson & Amy Fletcher,  is awaiting approval from the college to make an offer.
  • Anatomy Lab Instructor: Bella Gearhardt has accepted our offer and will be joining us this Fall.
  • Instructor - Human Phys/Exercise Phys in HHP: Jason Babcock & Imani Busch have accepted our offer and will joining us this Fall.
  • Tenure Track Associate Professor/Professor: The position has been posted & is currently recruiting. The search committee will include Kara Whitaker (chair), Anna Stanhewicz, Luc Carr, & Vitor Lira

Events

Health Sciences Academic Building UI Dedication

     📅 Wednesday, September 2, 2026

     🕒 Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm

 

Save the Date!
Health Sciences Academic Building Open House

     📅 Friday, September 18, 2026

     🕒 Time: 2:00pm

Celebrating achievements and recognitions

  • Kara Whitaker received the Drinkwater Leadership Award in Women’s Health, Sport, & Physical Activity through the American College of Sports Medicine.
  • Jess Gorzelitz was interviewed by Scientific American for a story about resistance training dosing. You can read the article on the Scientific American website.
  • HSHP Faculty Interviewed for Iowa Now Article - Kara Whitaker was interviewed for an Iowa Now article for the research study "Optimizing 24-hour movement behaviour compositions across trimesters and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: the Pregnancy 24/7 cohort study" that was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
  • Jess Gorzelitz was interviewed by Patient Power for an article discussing ways to stay active during and after endometrial cancer treatment. You can read Jess' interview on the Patient Power website.
  • Kara Kehe presented "Safety First: Training Coaches and Volunteers to Champion Injury Prevention" at the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Iowa annual state convention in Marion, Iowa, on June 12.
  • Jess Gorzelitz was interviewed by the BBC on how weightlifting can help you stay healthier as you age.  Read which exercises Jess recommends on the BBC website.
  • The Therapeutic Rec & Child Life faculty partnered with the CSD faculty and graduate students to host a therapeutic art activity during one day of their UI Shine program, hosted by Communication Sciences and Disorders. The kids and teens painted rays for a sun mural that focused on resiliency and what makes them strong. This mural will be installed in their clinic. They also explored the new Outdoor Teaching and Learning Playground and gave it high reviews.

Publications, Abstract Presentation, and Grants

Recent peer-reviewed research publications by HSHP faculty members (in bold) and students/postdocs (in italics) are listed below:

  • Barone Gibbs B, Kim J, Gallagher J, Jones MA, Crisp AH, Wilhite K, Smith K, Rahman S, Thrower A, Catov J, Kline CE, Feghali M, Santillan D, Santillan M, Sheikh I, Zimmerman B, Whitaker KM. Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Sedentary Behavior, Light-Intensity Physical Activity, and Daily Steps. JAMA. Published online May 27, 2026. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2849458
  • Whitaker K, Crisp A, Gallagher J, Jones M, Kim J, Wilhite K, Smith K, Rahman S, Thrower L, Catov J, Kline C, Feghali M, Santillan D, Santillan M, Sheikh I, Zimmerman B, Barone Gibbs B. Optimizing 24-hour movement behaviour compositions across trimesters and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: the Pregnancy 24/7 cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Published online June 10, 2026. https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2026/06/07/bjsports-2025-111091.full
  • Gaffney C, Gorzelitz J, Reeves J, Steffens D. Prehabilitation in cancer care: an evolving field. BMC Cancer. 2026 Jun 26;26(1):776. doi: 10.1186/s12885-026-16404-5. PMID: 42363120; PMCID: PMC13307680.
  • Meng, Y., Wu, F., Juonala, M., Jacobs, D., Bazzano, L., Daniels, S., Dwyer, T., Kähönen, M., Sinaiko, A., Steinberger, J., Urbina, E., Venn, A., Viikari, J., Whitaker, K.M., Woo, J., Raitakari, O., Magnussen, C. Multi-national evaluation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equations in young adulthood for long-term risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes. Accepted August 7, 2026. [In press].
  • Borrowman, J.D., Crisp, A.H., Jones, M.A., Catov, J.M., Barone Gibbs, B., Whitaker, K.M. Pre-pregnancy body mass index, physical activity trajectories, and postpartum hypertension in the Pregnancy 24/7 Cohort Study. Journal of the American Heart Association. Accepted July 30, 2026. [In Press].
  • Jones, M., Kim, J., Barone Gibbs, B., Whitaker, K.M. (2026). Demographic and pregnancy-related predictors of activity profiles across trimesters of pregnancy. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. Accepted June 22, 2026. [In Press].
  • Whitaker, K.M. (2026). Postpartum care use, blood pressure, and health behaviors. JAMA Network Open, 9(8):e2626851. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.26851
  • Zhao, L., Liu, J., Whitaker, K.M., Hung, P., Hair, N., Chen, E.L., Alberg, A.J. (2026). Physical activity, sitting time, and sleep among postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Birth. Published online June 17, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.70086

Abstract Presentation at Conferences

  • Presentations from the Physical Activity and Women's Health Lab at the American College of Sports Medicine 2026 Annual Meeting 
    • Sanders RM, Badon SE, Davis KK, Dooley DE, Pettee Gabriel K, Patel SR, Taverno Ross SE, Thurston RC, Whitaker KM, Kline CE. Prevalence and correlates of 24-hour movement guideline adherence among postmenopausal women in the Swan Study. Thematic poster presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Modlin SE, Wilhite KL, Rabb K, Marshall E, Morris-Neuberger L, Corcocan K, Whitaker KM, Moon C, Claydon EA, Barone Gibbs B. Achieving a healthy 24-hour day in rural, postpartum individuals; barriers, facilitators, and invention preferences. Poster presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Whitaker KM, Crisp AH, Kim J, Jones MA, Kline CE, Barone Gibbs B. 24-Hour movement behaviors and elevated depressive symptoms during pregnancy: the Pregnancy 24/7 cohort study. Thematic poster presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Badon SE, Davis KK, Dooley EE, Pettee Gabriel K, Kline CE, Patel SR, Taverno Ross SE, Thurston RC, Whitaker KM. Prevalence and correlates of adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines in a diverse sample of postmenopausal women. Poster presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Kim J, Barone Gibbs B, Paluch A, Whitaker KM. Stepping patterns across pregnancy and the first postpartum year. Thematic poster presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Jones MA, Barone Gibbs B, Kim J, Crisp AH, Whitaker KM. Associations of sedentary time and physical activity across pregnancy with birth anthropometrics and gestational age at delivery. Poster presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Barone Gibbs B, Kim J, Gallagher JB, Jones MA, Crisp AH, Wilhite K, Smith K, Rahman S, Thrower A, Catov J, Kline C, Feghali M, Santillan D, Santillan M, Sheikh I, Zimmerman B, Whitaker KM. Sedentary behavior, light-intensity physical activity, steps, and adverse pregnancy outcomes: the Pregnancy 24/7 cohort study. Thematic poster presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Gallagher JB, Anthos BN, Thrower A, Barone-Gibbs B, Whitaker KM. Device-Measured 24-hour activity in partners of pregnant women across the perinatal period. Thematic poster presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Dooley EE, Hornikel B, Paluch AE, Whitaker KM, Badon SE, Jacobs Jr. DR, Sternfeld B, Hasan M, Wang Z, Pettee Gabriel K. Calibration of steps from two generations of actiGraph accelerometers: 7164 and GT3X. Oral presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
    • Crisp AH, Jones MA, Traverno Ross S, Barone Gibbs B, Whitaker KM. Behavioral profiles of screen time and motor development in 24-month-old children. Thematic poster presentation: American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting 2026. May 26-30, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Presentations from the Physical Activity and Women's Health Lab at the SLEEP Meeting 
    • Sanders RM, Whitaker KM, Taverno Ross SE, Patel SR, Davis KM, Pettee Gabriel K, Dooley EE, Badon SE, Thurston RC, Kline CE. 0828 Associations between 24-hour movement behavior guideline adherence and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women from the SWAN study. Sleep. 2026;49(Suppl 1):A370-371. Poster presentation at: Sleep. June 14-17, 2026, Baltimore, MD.
    • Kim G, Kim J, Kline CE, Barone Gibbs B, Whitaker KM. 0224 Multidimensional sleep health during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Sleep. 2026;49(Suppl 1):A98. Poster presentation at: Sleep. June 14-17, 2026, Baltimore, MD.
    • Kline CE, Kim J, Catov J, Feghali MN, Santillan DA, Santillan MK, Sheikh I, Zimmerman B, Barone Gibbs B, Whitaker KM. 0827 Sleep health trajectories across pregnancy and their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes: the Pregnancy 24/7 cohort study. Sleep. 2026;49(Suppl 1):A370. Poster presentation at: Sleep. June 14-17, 2026, Baltimore, MD.

Grants

  • Chih-Chia Chen, Assistant Professor, Health, Sport, and Human Physi; New Contract-Subcontract, Community Service, Civil Money Penalty Quality Improvement Initiative "CMPQII"-Bingocize: An evidence-based health promotion program to improve the quality of life of Iowa skilled nursing facility residents, sponsored by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (prime sponsor: US Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) - $141,261
  • Gary Pierce, Professor, Health, Sport, and Human Physi; New Grant, Research (Basic), Retinal artery function in preeclampsia: window into cerebrovascular and cognitive health, sponsored by American Heart Association - $99,999

Submit news

Have news to share? We’d love to highlight your accomplishments in next month’s DEO Newsletter update. Submit your news through the HSHP Communications Request Form.

Newsletter archive

Missed last month's update? View past issues to catch up on the exciting news and recognitions in the department.