Kirk Abraham’s teaching focuses on the scientific aspects of exercise science. “By emphasizing physiological mechanisms, students grasp the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of health, fitness, and performance,” he explains. “In the classroom, I want students to apply this fundamental knowledge to real world issues like disease, disease prevention, possible treatments, and potential avenues for scientific research.”
Abraham frequently involves students in his own research. “I have students help with research design, subject recruitment, data analysis, and laboratory procedures,” he says.
While the paths our students take are quite variable, the one constant is that our graduates accomplish their goals.
This work has resulted in numerous invitations to regional and national meetings of professional organizations. A recent example is a paper on the effects of red wine and ethanol on glucose, insulin, and C-peptide responses that summarizes a study by Abraham and Bev Harris ’12 and was chosen for presentation at the 2012 annual meeting of the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in Jacksonville, Fla.
“I enjoy witnessing students’ academic progress,” says Abraham. “Many of them come to campus unsure of a major, and they graduate four years later as experts in their fields. With our small classes, modern facilities and equipment, a foundation in the liberal arts, and a required internship, they’re prepared to accomplish anything.”
Academic History
Ph.D., University of Missouri, 2003
M.S., University of Arizona, 1997
B.S., University of Puget Sound, 1994
Courses Taught at Transy
Anatomy and Physiology I and II
Physiology of Exercise
Lifetime Fitness
The Life of a Muscle
Advanced Exercise Physiology
Exercise Metabolism
Areas of Specialization
Skeletal muscle metabolism
Alcoholic beverages and glucose metabolism
Interactions of exercise and diet on health and disease
Awards
Bingham Award for Excellence in Teaching
Recent Publications
“Acute red wine consumption elevates plasma insulin and decreases plasma glucose in women during an oral glucose tolerance test.” International Journal of Diabetes and Metabolism 18: 95-98, 2010.
“Phosphate uptake is reduced during contractions in rat skeletal muscle.” Journal of Applied Physiology 97: 57-62, 2004.
“Phosphate uptake and PiT-1 protein expression in rat skeletal muscle.” AJP—Cell Physiology 287: C73-C78, 2004.
“Muscle creatine uptake and creatine transporter expression in response to creatine supplementation and depletion.” Journal of Applied Physiology 94:2173-2180, 2003.
“Phosphocreatine content of freeze-clamped muscle: influence of creatine kinase inhibition.” Journal of Applied Physiology 94:1751-1756, 2003.
“Respiratory-related activation of human abdominal muscles during exercise.” Journal of Physiology 541: 653-663, 2002.
“Influence of ribose on adenine salvage after intense muscle contractions.” Journal of Applied Physiology 91: 1775-1781, 2001.