Notable Achievements

A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial overseen by Garey Chair and Associate Professor of Kinesiology Ed Merritt was published in the International Journal of Exercise Science. Alumni Zachary Moon ’24, Rachel Chiella ’24, Erica Otto ’24, Iliana Hernandez ’26, Barrett Knapp ’24, and Matthew Bierwirth ’24 were integral in completing the trial and seeing it through to publication. Special thanks are given to all the members of the SU community who participated, and the students who assisted with exercise training supervision over the 1.5 years the trial took place. Along with external funding, Southwestern’s SCOPE summer research funds, Garey funds, and research assistantships were integral to this project’s success. The full paper can be downloaded here.

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Edward Merritt

Associate Professor of Kinesiology

Expertise

Exercise Physiology, Skeletal Muscle Physiology, Muscle Injury

B.S. Virginia Tech - 2002

  • Major: Nutrition & Exercise Science
  • Minors: Chemistry, Biology

M.A. University of Texas at Austin - 2004

  • Major: Kinesiology
    • Thesis: Effect of aerobic exercise and the induced increase in heat shock proteins on recovery of skeletal muscle function after ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin - 2009

  • Major: Kinesiology
    • Dissertation: Repair of Skeletal Muscle Transection Injury with Tissue Loss

Postdoctoral Fellow. University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine - 2009-2012

  • NIH F32AR060670: Regulation of human skeletal muscle protein metabolism following burn injury
  • NIH R01 (PI: Marcas Bamman): Maximizing mechanisms of muscle hypertrophy to combat sarcopenia in older adults

Assistant Professor. Appalachian State University. 2012-2017

  • Department of Health & Exercise Science

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    Corban Ruiz ’22 strengthens his skills—and his résumé—through SCOPE.

  • Edward Merritt
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    When most people think of kinesiology they think of exercise studies or improving athletic performance. But as with most academic disciplines, there are often lesser-known areas that can lead to interesting and rewarding career paths as well.