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About Kinesiology
Kinesiology Faculty
Crystal Branta
Ph.D., Michigan State University
cbranta@msu.edu
http://branta.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Crystal Branta is an associate professor of kinesiology. Her research centers on the physical growth, biological maturation, and motor development of children and youth, with special emphasis on early childhood. Dr. Branta’s research and outreach efforts have focused on the physical development of children from an urban, socioeconomically disadvantaged area.
Ph.D., Michigan State University
cbranta@msu.edu
http://branta.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Crystal Branta is an associate professor of kinesiology. Her research centers on the physical growth, biological maturation, and motor development of children and youth, with special emphasis on early childhood. Dr. Branta’s research and outreach efforts have focused on the physical development of children from an urban, socioeconomically disadvantaged area.
Tracey Covassin
Ph.D., Temple University
covassin@msu.edu
http://covassin.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Tracey Covassin is an associate professor of kinesiology and a certified athletic trainer in the Sports Medicine Program in the Department of Athletics. Her research focuses on neuropsychological impairments of concussions and epidemiology of sports injuries.
Ph.D., Temple University
covassin@msu.edu
http://covassin.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Tracey Covassin is an associate professor of kinesiology and a certified athletic trainer in the Sports Medicine Program in the Department of Athletics. Her research focuses on neuropsychological impairments of concussions and epidemiology of sports injuries.
Martha Ewing
Ph.D., University of Illinois
mewing@msu.edu
http://ewing.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Martha Ewing is an associate professor of kinesiology. She has written in the area of achievement motivation with a focus on youth in sport. She is involved in research aimed at assessing why youth drop out of sports, why coaches (particularly women) drop out, and how to alter sport programs to retain both coaches and youth. In the applied arena, she has worked on developing a way to assess the effectiveness of the delivery of sport psychology services as well as the effectiveness of psychological skills training with athletes.
Ph.D., University of Illinois
mewing@msu.edu
http://ewing.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Martha Ewing is an associate professor of kinesiology. She has written in the area of achievement motivation with a focus on youth in sport. She is involved in research aimed at assessing why youth drop out of sports, why coaches (particularly women) drop out, and how to alter sport programs to retain both coaches and youth. In the applied arena, she has worked on developing a way to assess the effectiveness of the delivery of sport psychology services as well as the effectiveness of psychological skills training with athletes.
Deborah Feltz
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
dfeltz@msu.edu
http://feltz.wiki.educ.msu.edu
Deborah Feltz is a University Distinguished Professor of the Department of Kinesiology. She is a sport and exercise psychologist who specializes in self-efficacy and the psychosocial implications of sport and physical activity participation. She is interested in the interrelationships of self-efficacy, motivation and performance among youth, teams, and coaches. She also focuses on motivation within groups in exercise.
Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University
dfeltz@msu.edu
http://feltz.wiki.educ.msu.edu
Deborah Feltz is a University Distinguished Professor of the Department of Kinesiology. She is a sport and exercise psychologist who specializes in self-efficacy and the psychosocial implications of sport and physical activity participation. She is interested in the interrelationships of self-efficacy, motivation and performance among youth, teams, and coaches. She also focuses on motivation within groups in exercise.
Dan Gould
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
drgould@msu.edu
http://gould.wiki.educ.msu.edu
Dan Gould is director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports and a professor of kinesiology. His area of expertise is mental training for athletic competition and sport psychology. His research interests include the stress-athletic performance relationship, psychological foundations of coaching, athlete motivation, youth leadership and positive youth development through sport. He has been a consultant for the U.S. Olympic Committee, the United States Tennis Association and numerous athletes of all ages and skill levels.
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
drgould@msu.edu
http://gould.wiki.educ.msu.edu
Dan Gould is director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports and a professor of kinesiology. His area of expertise is mental training for athletic competition and sport psychology. His research interests include the stress-athletic performance relationship, psychological foundations of coaching, athlete motivation, youth leadership and positive youth development through sport. He has been a consultant for the U.S. Olympic Committee, the United States Tennis Association and numerous athletes of all ages and skill levels.
Sue Halsey
M.S., Michigan State University
suhalsey@msu.edu
Susan has the responsibility within the college to schedule and coordinate assignment of instructors, graduate assistants, and contract hires for the physical activity courses, as well as serve as a mentor and troubleshooter
M.S., Michigan State University
suhalsey@msu.edu
Susan has the responsibility within the college to schedule and coordinate assignment of instructors, graduate assistants, and contract hires for the physical activity courses, as well as serve as a mentor and troubleshooter
George Harnick
M.S., University of Northern Iowa
harnickg@msu.edu
Mr. Harnick is an instructor of Kinesiology. His current role in the department includes instruction of courses focusing on pedagogy and coaching. He also coordinates the Sports Skills Program, which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in physical activity and sport settings. His research interests are primarily focused on the correlation between physical fitness/activity and academic achievement.
M.S., University of Northern Iowa
harnickg@msu.edu
Mr. Harnick is an instructor of Kinesiology. His current role in the department includes instruction of courses focusing on pedagogy and coaching. He also coordinates the Sports Skills Program, which provides opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in physical activity and sport settings. His research interests are primarily focused on the correlation between physical fitness/activity and academic achievement.
Florian Kagerer
Assistant Professor
fkagerer@msu.edu
Florian Kagerer is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology. His current research aims to integrate behavioral and neurophysiological methods to determine mechanisms underlying sensorimotor integration and adaptive cognitive-motor behavior. He is interested in motor behavior across the life span, studying adults as well as young populations – both typically developing children and children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Assistant Professor
fkagerer@msu.edu
Florian Kagerer is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology. His current research aims to integrate behavioral and neurophysiological methods to determine mechanisms underlying sensorimotor integration and adaptive cognitive-motor behavior. He is interested in motor behavior across the life span, studying adults as well as young populations – both typically developing children and children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Lanay M. Kazmirzack (Mudd)
Ph.D., Michigan State University
kaz@msu.edu
Lanay M. Kazmirzack (formerly Mudd) is an assistant professor of kinesiology and member of the Center for Physical Activity and Health. She is an exercise physiologist and perinatal epidemiologist. Her research focuses on the short- and long-term health benefits of physical activity during pregnancy for both the mother and the child. She investigates relations among physical activity participation during pregnancy, maternal metabolic changes and birth outcomes. Part of her research line is geared toward investigating the fetal origins hypothesis which posits that health conditions developing in childhood and adulthood may be related to the in utero environment. She has been involved in several observational studies involving pregnant women and young children, and also has experience utilizing national datasets to examine research aims. Dr. Mudd is interested in the translation of research findings and health guidelines to target populations as well. She has investigated the knowledge of health guidelines and health-related behaviors among college students and plans to extend that line of research to other special populations (i.e., health care providers and pregnant women).
Ph.D., Michigan State University
kaz@msu.edu
Lanay M. Kazmirzack (formerly Mudd) is an assistant professor of kinesiology and member of the Center for Physical Activity and Health. She is an exercise physiologist and perinatal epidemiologist. Her research focuses on the short- and long-term health benefits of physical activity during pregnancy for both the mother and the child. She investigates relations among physical activity participation during pregnancy, maternal metabolic changes and birth outcomes. Part of her research line is geared toward investigating the fetal origins hypothesis which posits that health conditions developing in childhood and adulthood may be related to the in utero environment. She has been involved in several observational studies involving pregnant women and young children, and also has experience utilizing national datasets to examine research aims. Dr. Mudd is interested in the translation of research findings and health guidelines to target populations as well. She has investigated the knowledge of health guidelines and health-related behaviors among college students and plans to extend that line of research to other special populations (i.e., health care providers and pregnant women).
Rick McNeil
Ph.D., Michigan State University
mcneilr@imsports.msu.edu
http://mcneil.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Dr McNeil has spent 35 years in campus recreational sports, the past 25 at MSU, and serving as Director of MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness Services the past two years. As an Adjunct Assoc Professor, his principle role with Kinesiology is to serve as the Recruiting and Program Coordinator and an Advisor for the Sports Administration concentration. As Director of Rec Sports his focus is on creating a campus culture of health and fitness, creating fitness opportunities in the residence halls and measuring the impact fitness participation has on academic success.
Ph.D., Michigan State University
mcneilr@imsports.msu.edu
http://mcneil.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Dr McNeil has spent 35 years in campus recreational sports, the past 25 at MSU, and serving as Director of MSU Recreational Sports and Fitness Services the past two years. As an Adjunct Assoc Professor, his principle role with Kinesiology is to serve as the Recruiting and Program Coordinator and an Advisor for the Sports Administration concentration. As Director of Rec Sports his focus is on creating a campus culture of health and fitness, creating fitness opportunities in the residence halls and measuring the impact fitness participation has on academic success.
Keri Morrison
Instructor
klm@msu.edu
Keri Morrison is an instructor of Kinesiology. Her current role in the department includes coordination of the Kinesiology Internship Program and course supervisor for the Applied Human Anatomy Laboratory. She has been a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine since 1998 and has over 14 years of personal training experience. Keri is interested in 3D flexibility and strength training programs and their relationship to injury prevention and post rehabilitation outcomes.
Instructor
klm@msu.edu
Keri Morrison is an instructor of Kinesiology. Her current role in the department includes coordination of the Kinesiology Internship Program and course supervisor for the Applied Human Anatomy Laboratory. She has been a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine since 1998 and has over 14 years of personal training experience. Keri is interested in 3D flexibility and strength training programs and their relationship to injury prevention and post rehabilitation outcomes.
Karin Pfeiffer
Ph.D., Michigan State University
kap@msu.edu
http://pfeiffer.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Karin Allor Pfeiffer is an associate professor of kinesiology and member of the Center for Physical Activity and Health. She is an exercise physiologist with an interest in population-based investigations. Her research focuses on two major areas, both of which are related to physical activity in children and adolescents. Her work spans the age range of preschool through high school (and even addresses college students sometimes). The first major area of research is measurement of physical activity, which she has been investigating since graduate school. The second major area is interventions to increase physical activity, which she has been investigating since her post-doctoral research position at the University of South Carolina. She has been involved with many school-based studies and is interested in incorporating families and communities into her research. She has also been at the forefront of work examining physical activity in preschool children and plans to continue more research in that area.
Ph.D., Michigan State University
kap@msu.edu
http://pfeiffer.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Karin Allor Pfeiffer is an associate professor of kinesiology and member of the Center for Physical Activity and Health. She is an exercise physiologist with an interest in population-based investigations. Her research focuses on two major areas, both of which are related to physical activity in children and adolescents. Her work spans the age range of preschool through high school (and even addresses college students sometimes). The first major area of research is measurement of physical activity, which she has been investigating since graduate school. The second major area is interventions to increase physical activity, which she has been investigating since her post-doctoral research position at the University of South Carolina. She has been involved with many school-based studies and is interested in incorporating families and communities into her research. She has also been at the forefront of work examining physical activity in preschool children and plans to continue more research in that area.
James Pivarnik
Ph.D., Indiana University
jimpiv@msu.edu
http://pivarnik.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
James Pivarnik is a professor of kinesiology and epidemiology (College of Human Medicine) and director of the Center for Physical Activity and Health. As an exercise physiologist and epidemiologist, he studies the exercise responses of females, particularly during pregnancy, and children, both healthy and those with chronic diseases. His focus is on the role of physical activity in reducing the risk factors for chronic disease development (e.g., cardiovascular disease) and the morbidity and mortality of those suffering from such conditions.
Ph.D., Indiana University
jimpiv@msu.edu
http://pivarnik.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
James Pivarnik is a professor of kinesiology and epidemiology (College of Human Medicine) and director of the Center for Physical Activity and Health. As an exercise physiologist and epidemiologist, he studies the exercise responses of females, particularly during pregnancy, and children, both healthy and those with chronic diseases. His focus is on the role of physical activity in reducing the risk factors for chronic disease development (e.g., cardiovascular disease) and the morbidity and mortality of those suffering from such conditions.
Matthew Pontifex
Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
pontifex@msu.edu
http://education.msu.edu/kin/hbcl/
Matthew Pontifex' primary research interest is in the area of developmental neurocognitive kinesiology, examining the relation between health-oriented behaviors and higher-order cognitive function during preadolescence; and the application of these health-oriented behaviors as a means for improving cognitive health, academic performance and overall effective functioning during maturation. To date, his examination of these relationships has utilized both behavioral and neuroelectric measures to focus on the influence of acute as well as chronic aspects of physical activity upon developmental neurocognition, with a particular interest in the modulation of cognitive control. Future research will continue to investigate how aspects of health-oriented behaviors modulate the maturation of neural networks underlying aspects of cognitive control in the normal preadolescent population as well as within children suffering from cognitive and attentional disorders.
Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
pontifex@msu.edu
http://education.msu.edu/kin/hbcl/
Matthew Pontifex' primary research interest is in the area of developmental neurocognitive kinesiology, examining the relation between health-oriented behaviors and higher-order cognitive function during preadolescence; and the application of these health-oriented behaviors as a means for improving cognitive health, academic performance and overall effective functioning during maturation. To date, his examination of these relationships has utilized both behavioral and neuroelectric measures to focus on the influence of acute as well as chronic aspects of physical activity upon developmental neurocognition, with a particular interest in the modulation of cognitive control. Future research will continue to investigate how aspects of health-oriented behaviors modulate the maturation of neural networks underlying aspects of cognitive control in the normal preadolescent population as well as within children suffering from cognitive and attentional disorders.
John Powell
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University
powellj4@ath.msu.edu
John Powell is an associate professor of kinesiology and a certified athletic trainer in the departments of Radiology and Athletics at MSU. His research expertise is in the epidemiology of sports injuries and injury prevention at all levels of competition. His current research emphasis is on the biomechanical properties of the lower extremity and their association with the traction qualities of the shoe-surface interface. In addition, Powell serves as a consultant in the area of sports injury prevention and safety for high school, college and professional sports.
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University
powellj4@ath.msu.edu
John Powell is an associate professor of kinesiology and a certified athletic trainer in the departments of Radiology and Athletics at MSU. His research expertise is in the epidemiology of sports injuries and injury prevention at all levels of competition. His current research emphasis is on the biomechanical properties of the lower extremity and their association with the traction qualities of the shoe-surface interface. In addition, Powell serves as a consultant in the area of sports injury prevention and safety for high school, college and professional sports.
Alan L. Smith
Ph.D., University of Oregon
alsmith@msu.edu
Alan L. Smith is Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Kinesiology at MSU. His research addresses the link of sport and physical activity involvement with young people’s psychological and social functioning. Smith is widely known for his research on peer relationships in the physical activity domain (e.g., sport, physical education) and the motivational implications of these relationships for children and adolescents. He is presently funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to examine physical activity as a means of ameliorating symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in young children. This work targets behavioral, cognitive, motor, and social functioning of participants and involves interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in neuroscience, motor control, and biobehavioral and clinical psychology. Smith’s recent publications appear in outlets such as Human Movement Science, Journal of Adolescent Health, Journal of Attention Disorders, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Psychology and Health, and Psychology of Sport and Exercise. He has served as associate editor of the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology and on the editorial boards of Child Development, International Journal of Sport Psychology, and Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. He is president-elect of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity and was recently elected a fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology.
Ph.D., University of Oregon
alsmith@msu.edu
Alan L. Smith is Professor and Chairperson of the Department of Kinesiology at MSU. His research addresses the link of sport and physical activity involvement with young people’s psychological and social functioning. Smith is widely known for his research on peer relationships in the physical activity domain (e.g., sport, physical education) and the motivational implications of these relationships for children and adolescents. He is presently funded by the National Institute of Mental Health to examine physical activity as a means of ameliorating symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in young children. This work targets behavioral, cognitive, motor, and social functioning of participants and involves interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in neuroscience, motor control, and biobehavioral and clinical psychology. Smith’s recent publications appear in outlets such as Human Movement Science, Journal of Adolescent Health, Journal of Attention Disorders, Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Psychology and Health, and Psychology of Sport and Exercise. He has served as associate editor of the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology and on the editorial boards of Child Development, International Journal of Sport Psychology, and Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. He is president-elect of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity and was recently elected a fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology.
Dianne Ulibarri
Ph.D., University of Connecticut
ulibarri@msu.edu
http://ulibarri.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Dianne Ulibarri is an associate professor of kinesiology and specializes in the area of biomechanics. Her research uses computer graphics and mathematical modeling in the clinical evaluation of movement, injury prevention, and sport skill analysis. Her research includes examination of normative, pathological, and amputee types of gait as well as analysis of the performance of elite athletes.
Ph.D., University of Connecticut
ulibarri@msu.edu
http://ulibarri.wiki.educ.msu.edu/
Dianne Ulibarri is an associate professor of kinesiology and specializes in the area of biomechanics. Her research uses computer graphics and mathematical modeling in the clinical evaluation of movement, injury prevention, and sport skill analysis. Her research includes examination of normative, pathological, and amputee types of gait as well as analysis of the performance of elite athletes.
Kinesiology Staff
Carol Christofferson
chris323@msu.edu
134 IM Sports Circle
517-355-4730
Marlene Green
marlene@msu.edu
27 IM Sports Circle
517-355-4736
Darlene Howe
howeda@msu.edu
134 IM Sports Circle
517-353-3866
Verna Lyon
VLyon@msu.edu
134 IM Sports Circle
517-355-1824
Undergraduate Advisors
Use the online system for making an advising appointment.
Jo Hartwell
hartwel6@msu.edu
134 Erickson
517-432-9552
Maria DeWitt
mdewitt@msu.edu
134 Erickson
517-353-4991
Jennifer Watson
watsonj4@msu.edu
134 Erickson
517-353-5120
