APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY phd
Program Overview
The mission of the Applied Physiology PhD Program is to provide advanced training for students in the field of applied physiology with the goal of preparing students for research-based careers. Areas of in-depth study are driven by faculty research and encompass cardiovascular physiology, exercise physiology, musculoskeletal physiology, and neurophysiology. The programmatic emphasis is on the regulation, adaptation, and integration of mechanisms across all levels of biological organization from molecules to organ systems. New knowledge on health, aging, chronic disease, and injury prevention will be generated and disseminated. Along with in-depth, laboratory-based immersion, the mission of the proposed program is to provide high quality classroom-based instruction through a core graduate curriculum, electives, and seminars.
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Degree Requirements
TheÌýApplied PhysiologyÌýPhD Program requires a minimum of 46 credits, including 9 credits of dissertation, and is designed to be completed in 4 years. Required courses include:
- Ìý(3 credits)
- Ìý(3 credits)
- Ìý(12 credits)
- Ìý(4 credits)
- Statistics (6 credits)
- Electives (9 credits)
Students must pass a preliminary examination that tests their general knowledge base in applied physiology and their ability to critically evaluate scientific literature. The preliminary examination is an oral exam, content of the exam is based on the Advanced Human Physiology I and II courses (KAAP 630 & 631) taken during the student’s first year of the academic program, and an area of study that is consistent with the student’s planned dissertation work. The preliminary examination must be completed by the end of the student’s first year of enrollment.
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Applied Physiology Ph.D. Program at the 91Ô´´ Overview Video: youtube.com/watch?v=HXJJLj7mIn8
Virtual Open House
Wed., October 1st, 2025, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Wed., November 12th, 2025, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY RESOURCES:
- Director's Welcome
- APHY KAAP 868 Research Contract Guidelines
- APHY KAAP 868 Research Contract Template
- Applied Physiology Doctoral Program Student Handbook
- Dissertation Committee Formation
- Dissertation Committee Meeting Report
- Plan of Study Course List
- Results of Dissertation Defense
- Results of Dissertation Proposal
- Results of the Preliminary Exam
- Student Resources
Admissions decisions are made by the Applied Physiology Graduate Program Committee. Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer appropriate strengths.
- A Bachelor of Science, Master of Science or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university.
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 system is require.
- Personal statement (see Graduate Admissions Application Essays for detailed requirements)
- Resume
- Three letters of recommendation. It is highly recommended that letters of recommendation come from individuals who can speak to the applicants’ success in graduate school from both academic and research perspectives.
- Supplemental Documentation indicating which faculty member has agreed to serve as an advisor.
- Knowledge of mathematics and statistics.
- All students will be expected to be sufficiently conversant in English and knowledgeable in the written word to convey clear, logical, and complex written expressions. International student applicants must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language if English is not the first language. An official paper-based TOEFL score of at least 550, or at least 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL with a minimum speaking score of 18 is necessary for an applicant to be considered for admission.
| Name | Phone | Office | |
| Thomas A. Buckley | tbuckey@udel.edu | 302-831-4783 | 349 Tower at STAR |
| Roxana G. Burcui | rgburciu@udel.edu | 302-831-3066 | 347 Tower at STAR |
| David G. Edwards | dge@udel.edu | 302-831-3363 | 201Q Health Sciences Complex |
| Ibra S. Fancher | ifancher@udel.edu | 302-831-7192 | 223ÌýBiopharmaceutical Innovation Center |
| William B. Farquhar | wbf@udel.edu | 302-831-6178 | 201M Health Sciences Complex |
| Gregory E. Hicks | ghicks@udel.edu | 302-831-2690 | 210E Health Sciences Complex |
| Christopher A. Knight | caknight@udel.edu | 302-831-6175 | 344 Tower at STAR |
| Shannon L. Lennon | slennon@udel.edu | 302-831-2798 | 201L Health Sciences Complex |
| Christopher R. Martens | cmartens@udel.edu | 302-831-7270 | 201Z Health Sciences Complex |
| Jennifer Semrau | semrau@udel.edu | 302-831-3065 | 346 Tower at STAR |
| Charles Buz Swanik | cswanik@udel.edu | 302-831-2306 | 151 Human Performance Lab |
| Jillian Trabulsi | trabulsi@udel.edu | 302-831-4991 | 318 Tower at STAR |
| Megan WennerÌý | mwenner@udel.edu | 302-831-7343 | 201N Health Sciences Complex |
| Melissa Witman | mwitman@udel.edu | 302-831-6256 | 201X Health Sciences Complex |
Victoria Allen
2012-2016
Advisor:ÌýGregory Hicks
Dissertation:ÌýCardiovascular Health Status in Older Adults with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
Current Position:ÌýMedical School, Thomas Jefferson University
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Matthew Babcock
2015-2019
Advisor:ÌýWilliam Farquhar
Dissertation:ÌýBlood Pressure Responses to Exercise During High Dietary Salt Intake
Current Position:ÌýPostdoctoral Researcher, University of Colorado, Denver
Ìý
Michael Brian
2012-2016
Advisor:ÌýWilliam Farquhar
Dissertation:ÌýThe influence of chronic and acute sodium loading on blood pressure regulation in normotensive adults
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, Plymouth State University
Ìý
Jennifer DuPont
2010-2013
Advisor:ÌýDavid Edwards
Dissertation:ÌýRole of oxidative stress and arginase in microvascular dysfunction in chronic kidney disease
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine
Ìý
Sophie Green
2014-2020
Advisor:ÌýDavid Edwards
Dissertation:ÌýThe Effect of Shear Stress and Urea on EndothelialÌýCationic Amino Acid Transporter-1 and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase
Current Position:ÌýLecturer, Rider University
Ìý
John Guers
2012-2016
Advisor:ÌýShannon Lennon
Dissertation:ÌýThe Effect of Exercise onÌýSodiumÌýInducedÌýEndothelial Dysfunction Independent of Blood PressureÌýChange
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, Rider University
Ìý
Harshvardhan Singh
2011-2015
Advisor:ÌýChristopher Modlesky
Dissertation:ÌýTrabecular Bone Microarchitecture and Vibration Transmission in Ambulatory Children With Cerebral PalsyÌý
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, University of Alabama at BirminghamÌý
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Micah Josephson
2013-2018
Advisor:ÌýChristopher Knight
Dissertation:ÌýNeural Excitation of Muscle in Rate of Force Development and Function
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, Alvernia University
Ìý
Elissa Hoopes
2016-2020
Advisor:ÌýMelissa Witman
Dissertation:ÌýSleep Variability and Cardiovascular Health in Undergraduate College Students
Current Position:ÌýPostdoctoral Fellow, 91Ô´´ Dept of Behavioral Health & Nutrition
Ìý
Christopher Martens
2009-2014
Advisor:ÌýDavid Edwards
Dissertation:ÌýL-arginine transport and endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease: the role of exercise
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, 91Ô´´
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Evan Matthews
2011-2015
Advisor:ÌýWilliam Farquhar
Dissertation:ÌýBlood Pressure Reactivity and Salt Sensitivity in Non-Hypertensive Adults
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, Montclair State University
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Kamila Migdal
2016-2020
Advisor:ÌýWilliam Farquhar
Dissertation:The Impact of Dietary Sodium on Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation
Current Position:VA Advanced Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at theÌýWashington DC War Related Illness and Injury Study Cente
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Bryce Muth
2014-2018
Advisor:ÌýDavid Edwards
Dissertation:ÌýCardiovascular Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) compared to Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MCT)Ìý
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, Stockton University
Ìý
Sangeetha Nathaniel
2016-2020
Advisor:ÌýMegan Wenner
Dissertation:ÌýImpact of Entresto on Cardiovascular Function
Current Position:ÌýÌýClinical Research Lead, Heart Failure Clinic and Chronic Care Management
Ìý
Jessie Oldham
2014-2018
Advisor:ÌýThomas Buckley
Dissertation:ÌýClinical Implications of Dynamic Postural Control Impairments Following ConcussionÌý
Current Position:ÌýPostdoctoral Fellow, Boston Children’s Hospital
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Meghan Ramick
2012-2017
Advisor:ÌýDavid Edwards
Dissertation:ÌýThe Effect of Dietary Nitrates on Vascular Function and Exercise Capacity in Chronic Kidney Disease
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, West Chester University
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Joseph Stock
2015-2020
Advisor:ÌýDavid Edwards
Dissertation:ÌýThe Effect of Acute Exercise on Pulsatile Load in Healthy Aging
Current Position:ÌýPostdoctoral Fellow, 91Ô´´ Dept of Kinesiology & Applied Physiology
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Rachael Torres
2016-2019
Advisor:ÌýAdam Davey
Dissertation:ÌýModifiable cardiovascular risk and cognitive function: findings from the Maine Syracuse Longitudinal Study
Current Position:ÌýSenior Statistician, Michigan Medicine
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Joseph Watso
2016-2019
Advisor:ÌýWilliam Farquhar
Dissertation:ÌýThe Effect of Mild Hypohydration on Resting and Reflex Blood Pressure Regulation in Healthy Young and Old Adults
Current Position:ÌýPostdoctoral Researcher, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, UT Southwestern
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Daniel Whitney
2012-2017
Advisor:ÌýChristopher Modlesky
Dissertation:ÌýObesity indices and children with spastic cerebral palsy
Current Position:ÌýAssistant Professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor