LSU Kinesiology Showcases Health Research and Innovation to Louisiana Leadership Health Fellows
September 25, 2026
CHSE researchers highlight advances in injury rehabilitation, neuroscience, cancer care, and rural health to improve health outcomes across Louisiana.
BATON ROUGE, LA — Researchers from the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) showcased their work to improve health outcomes, strengthen the health care workforce, and advance scientific innovation during the inaugural Louisiana Leadership Health Fellows program, held August 5–7, 2026, in Baton Rouge.
Building on the legacy of Leadership Louisiana, the new program brings together leaders from health care, education, business, and public policy for a yearlong exploration of Louisiana's health care ecosystem. Through five regional sessions, fellows examine challenges ranging from chronic disease and rural health care access to workforce development and emerging technologies.
During the Baton Rouge session, CHSE Dean Roland Mitchell, PhD, and School of Kinesiology Interim Director Arend Van Gemmert, PhD, introduced fellows to LSU's approach to translating research into practical solutions. Their presentations emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration, partnerships with health care providers, and the preparation of the next generation of health professionals.
With 38 faculty members, more than 3,300 students, and 27 graduate assistants supporting research and teaching, the School of Kinesiology brings together expertise in exercise physiology, motor behavior, athletic training, sport management, and social and behavioral sciences. Its researchers collaborate with health care organizations, industry partners, and other LSU disciplines to address pressing health challenges in Louisiana.
Four early-career faculty members demonstrated how the school connects scientific discovery with clinical practice and community health. Their research spans precision rehabilitation following sports injuries, early detection of neurological disease, cancer treatment outcomes, and increased access to physical activity in rural communities.
Meet the CHSE Presenters
| Presenter | Presentation and research focus | Laboratory | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Roland W. Mitchell, PhD Dean, LSU College of Human Sciences & Education E. B. "Ted" Robert Professor |
LSU's Model for Translational Scholarship. Presented CHSE's approach to bringing disciplines together, translating research into practical solutions, and preparing professionals to address Louisiana's challenges. | College-wide research leadership |
 |
Arend Van Gemmert, PhD Interim Director, LSU School of Kinesiology |
Moving Louisiana Forward: How LSU School of Kinesiology Advances Health Through Research, Workforce Development, and Innovation. Highlighted the school's five divisions, research portfolio, academic programs, and partnerships that connect scientific discovery with health and human performance. | Motor behavior and school-wide research leadership |
 |
Xavier Thompson, PhD, ATC Assistant Professor |
Precision Rehabilitation Following ACL Injuries. Investigates differences in recovery after ACL reconstruction and develops objective movement assessments to support personalized rehabilitation, clinical decision-making, and injury prevention. | Sports Therapy Rehabilitation Injury Prevention and Exercise Science (STRIPES) Lab |
 |
Chris Hill, PhD Assistant Professor |
Louisiana: A State of Anxiety. Studies how anxiety affects the brain's decision-making during movement, seeking early brain markers of neurological diseases that may be expressed in anxiety disorders. | Motor Neuroscience Lab |
 |
Efthymios "Makis" Papadopoulos, PhD Assistant Professor |
Using Skeletal Muscle to Improve Cancer Treatment Outcomes and Patient Quality of Life. Investigates how muscle quality relates to cancer treatment and recovery, including the potential to use CT imaging to identify patients who may benefit from interventions before surgery. | Exercise physiology and clinical outcomes research |
 |
Jessica Stroope, PhD, MPH Assistant Professor |
Public Health Approaches to Increasing Physical Activity. Studies rural physical activity, active transportation, and access to nature, working with communities to identify policies and environmental changes that support healthier lifestyles. | Public health and community-based physical activity research |
Together, these research efforts demonstrate how CHSE is addressing health challenges across the lifespan while creating opportunities for students and emerging scientists to participate in interdisciplinary research, clinical collaborations, and community-engaged public health. The school's partnerships with organizations, including Our Lady of the Lake, Ochsner Health, and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, help connect university research with health care practice and the needs of Louisiana communities.
Advancing Health Through the Institute for the Health & Performance of Champions
While on LSU's campus, the inaugural class of Health Fellows also toured athletic facilities and learned about LSU's Institute for the Health & Performance of Champions, which brings together researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to advance health, safety, resilience, and human performance. The institute focuses on competitive athletes, military personnel, first responders, and individuals in physically demanding occupations, addressing both immediate performance needs and long-term health. Through interdisciplinary research and strategic partnerships, the institute expands opportunities to translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that benefit Louisiana and beyond.
