HIGH POINT, N.C., July 9, 2015 – Dr. Matthew Kuennen recently joined the faculty of High Point University as assistant professor in the Department of Health & Human Performance.
Kuennen will teach courses and conduct research on how factors such as environmental conditions, cardiorespiratory function, metabolism and exercise influence human body function. He is an expert in occupational and environmental physiology, heat acclimation and thermotolerance.
Kuennen will also be a part of HPU’s new program in integrative physiology, a study of how internal and external factors combine at the cellular level to influence whole-body systems function. Through this work, he will conduct research in HPU’s Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab using a specialized environmental chamber that allows researchers to expose subjects to extremes of temperature, humidity and simulated elevation while they perform work or exercise.
“The Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab is an extraordinary facility that combines esteemed faculty with cutting-edge technology to enrich students’ educational experience and generate impactful research.” Kuennen says. “It’s no accident that the work done in this lab regularly garners national media attention. I am excited to integrate my expertise with the work that is already being conducted in this lab and look forward to what the future holds.”
Kuennen, whose research has been instrumental in establishing best practices for U.S. military soldiers in the areas of thermoregulation and ergogenic aids, says he also looks forward to educating and mentoring students at HPU who wish to pursue his field of study.
“Part of my responsibilities include increasing student passion and excitement for integrative physiology and improving their research skills. This will ensure they are prepared to continue their studies in top-ranked graduate programs and become future leaders in the field.”
Prior to joining HPU, Kuennen spent five years as director of the Human Performance Research Laboratory at West Texas A&M University. He earned his doctorate in exercise physiology from the University of New Mexico. He also has a bachelor’s degree in health promotion and a master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Northern Iowa.