APK Improves the way humans live, work and play

Applied Physiology & Kinesiology (APK)

Significant research, education and service are at the heart of APK. Explore how medicine, aging, exercise, injury recovery and diseases affect movement, the heart, muscles and the brain.

Student Resources

Choose Your APK Degree

Build a strong foundation in science and health.

The undergraduate curriculum gives you a solid foundation in basic science, with classes focusing on the biological aspects of exercise. You can choose classes that dive deeper into exercise programming, techniques and the physical aspects of movement. Prepare for a career in fitness, wellness or allied health professions.

If plan to go on to graduate school, medical school or other advanced programs in health sciences after you graduate, we offer classes with more clinical and advanced physiological content to help you excel in those programs.

Choose from APK degree options including bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. programs:

Graduate ProgramsResources for prospective graduate students FacultyGet to know your instructors Industry Advisory BoardAbout the APK advisory board members

Center for Exercise Science Seminars

For this ongoing speaker series, we bring in leading researchers representing the cardiovascular, muscle, nerve, brain and behavioral science fields.

See Upcoming Seminars

Improving Health Through Research

The University of Florida Center for Exercise Science (CES) is a multidisciplinary research center housed in APK. CES investigates the complex interactions between physical activity and muscle, heart, brain and age-related diseases.

47%

APK Students

who apply and are admitted to PT school

STEM

APK Students

are STEM students

46%

APK Students

who apply and are admitted to medical school

Meet Our Faculty

Faculty Member David Vaillancourt, Ph.D.

David Vaillancourt, Ph.D.

Chair, Professor

Faculty Member Max Adolphs, Ph.D.

Max Adolphs, Ph.D.

Instructional Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Joslyn Ahlgren, Ph.D.

Joslyn Ahlgren, Ph.D.

Instructional Professor, Undergraduate Coordinator

Faculty Member Elisabeth Barton, Ph.D.

Elisabeth Barton, Ph.D.

Professor, Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Affairs

Faculty Member Garrett Beatty, Ph.D.

Garrett Beatty, Ph.D.

Instructional Associate Professor, Assistant Dean for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Faculty Member Paul Borsa, Ph.D.

Paul Borsa, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Faculty Member Chris Brown, Ph.D. L.A.T., A.T.C., CSCS, P.E.S., OPE-C

Chris Brown, Ph.D. L.A.T., A.T.C., CSCS, P.E.S., OPE-C

Clinical Associate Professor

Faculty Member Agostina Casamento-Moran, Ph.D.

Agostina Casamento-Moran, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Faculty Member James Cauraugh, Ph.D.

James Cauraugh, Ph.D.

Professor, Associate Dean for Research

Faculty Member Julia Choi, Ph.D.

Julia Choi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Demetra Christou, Ph.D.

Demetra Christou, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Vice Chair

Faculty Member Evangelos Christou, Ph.D.

Evangelos Christou, Ph.D.

Professor

Faculty Member Thomas Clanton, Ph.D.

Thomas Clanton, Ph.D.

BK and Betty Stevens Professor

Faculty Member Stephen Coombes, Ph.D.

Stephen Coombes, Ph.D.

Professor

Faculty Member Anna Gardner, Ph.D.

Anna Gardner, Ph.D.

Instructional Associate Professor

Faculty Member Benjamin Gordon, Ph.D.

Benjamin Gordon, Ph.D.

Instructional Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Diego Guarin, Ph.D.

Diego Guarin, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Justin Hardee, Ph.D.

Justin Hardee, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Blain Harrison, Ph.D., CSCS*D

Blain Harrison, Ph.D., CSCS*D

Instructional Associate Professor

Faculty Member Chris Hass, Ph.D.

Chris Hass, Ph.D.

Associate Provost & Professor

Faculty Member Christopher Janelle, Ph.D.

Christopher Janelle, Ph.D.

Professor, Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs

Faculty Member Orlando Laitano, Ph.D.

Orlando Laitano, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Diba Mani, Ph.D.

Diba Mani, Ph.D.

Instructional Associate Professor

Faculty Member Linda Nguyen, Ph.D.

Linda Nguyen, Ph.D.

Instructional Associate Professor

Faculty Member Michael Reid, Ph.D.

Michael Reid, Ph.D.

Dean, Professor

Faculty Member Terence Ryan, Ph.D.

Terence Ryan, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Faculty Member Daphne Schmid, Ph.D.

Daphne Schmid, Ph.D.

Instructional Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Rachael Seidler, Ph.D.

Rachael Seidler, Ph.D.

Professor, Graduate Coordinator

Faculty Member Ashley Smuder, Ph.D.

Ashley Smuder, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Matthew Terza, Ph.D.

Matthew Terza, Ph.D.

Instructional Associate Professor

Faculty Member Brady Tripp, Ph.D., A.T.C., L.A.T.

Brady Tripp, Ph.D., A.T.C., L.A.T.

Clinical Professor

Faculty Member Patricia Tripp, Ph.D., A.T.C.,L.A.T., CSCS

Patricia Tripp, Ph.D., A.T.C.,L.A.T., CSCS

Clinical Professor

Faculty Member Zheng Wang, Ph.D.

Zheng Wang, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Faculty Member Lan Wei-LaPierre, Ph.D.

Lan Wei-LaPierre, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Bradley Wilkes, Ph.D.

Bradley Wilkes, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor

Faculty Member Basma Yacoubi, Ph.D.

Basma Yacoubi, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professor

APK News

Could that ice bath be hampering your muscle growth goals?

Benjamin Gordon, Ph.D., an assistant professor of applied physiology and kinesiology in UF’s College of Health and Human Performance, analyzes whether ice baths reduce muscle growth.

HHP professor develops AI tool to better assess Parkinson’s disease

Diego Guarin, Ph.D., an assistant professor of applied physiology and kinesiology in UF’s College of Health and Human Performance, has developed a groundbreaking open-source computer program that uses artificial intelligence to analyze videos of patients with Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

“Newbie gains” and strength training

Benjamin Gordon, Ph.D., instructional assistant professor in applied physiology and kinesiology, helps explain why beginners at strength training often see speedier results than more experienced athletes.

Contact APK

Mailing Address
PO Box 118205, 118206
Room FLG 100

Call us: (352) 392-0584

Email an APK Advisor