Sandra Hunter, PhD, FACSM

Sandra Hunter, Ph.D., FACSM
Sandra Hunter, PhD, FACSMMarquette University

Cramer Hall, 230N

MilwaukeeWI53201United States of America(414) 288-6673Dr. Hunter's Neurophysiology Lab
Curriculum Vitae

Professor

Exercise Science

Dr. Hunter is a professor in the Exercise Science Program, in the Department of Physical Therapy and the Director of the Athletic and Human Performance Research Center (AHPRC) at Marquette University.  As director of the AHPRC, Dr. Hunter oversees and facilitates innovative research programs on human performance of people of all ages and abilities that is conducted by Marquette researchers, athletics, and external partners. 

Dr. Hunter is Director of her own laboratory (Neuromuscular Physiology of Human Movement laboratory).  Under her leadership, Dr Hunter’s research team conducts studies to understand the mechanisms for 1) neuromuscular fatigue and muscle function with aging, and in clinical populations such as diabetes and COVID-19 survivors, 2) the protective effects of exercise training in healthy and clinical populations, and 3) the sex differences in athletic performance. She is first author on the 2023 American College of Sports Medicine Consensus Statement tilted The Biological Basis of the Sex Differences in Athletic Performance that is published in the journals, TJACSM and Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise.  Dr Hunter’s laboratory has been funded by the National Institutes of Health since 2004 along with other granting bodies to conduct studies on aging, exercise fatigue, sex differences, women’s health, diabetes and COVID-19 (>$15 million). As a principal investigator, her most recent R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health examines fatigability of limb muscle and the protective effects of exercise with aging (R01 AG048262: 2015-2025) and in people with diabetes (R01 AG077688: 2022-2027).

Dr. Hunter has over 145 peer review papers in impactful journals and she serves as Editor-in-Chief for the highly-ranked journal, Exercise and Sport Science Reviews, and as an associate editor for Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise.  She regularly speaks at national and international conferences and receives regular media attention for her research and expertise. Dr. Hunter has been honored with the several Marquette University awards for high quality teaching and research. She actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, along with postdoctoral research associates to become the next generation of scientists to conduct cutting-edge and innovative research. Find links to Dr. Hunter’s CV and publications (pubmed.org).

Education

  • Post-Doctoral Research Associate, University of Colorado, CO, USA
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney, Australia
    Exercise & Sport Science
  • Graduate Diploma, University of Wollongong, Australia
    Human Movement Science
  • Bachelor of Education, University of Sydney, Australia

Courses Taught

  • EXRS 6001: Applied and Rehabilitative Systems Physiology
  • EXPH 4195: Advanced Exercise Physiology Laboratory
  • EXRS 6450: Fatigue in Health and Disease
  • EXSR 6391: Topics in CTRH: Techniques and Research in the Neural Control of Movement

Research Interests

  • Aging: Athletic Performance, Fatigability, and the Protective Effects of Exercise Training
  • Sex Differences in Fatigability and Athletic Performance
  • Diabetes: Muscle Function and Limb Fatigability
  • Exercise Training: Neuromuscular Fatigability and Strength Training
  • COVID-19: Persistent Effects of Long COVID on Physical Function

Professional Affiliations

  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • American Physiological Society
  • European College of Sports Science

Honors and Awards

2023

Awarded Editor-in- Chief of Exercise and Sports Science Reviews

Edward F. Adolph Distinguished Lectureship: American Physiological Society Environmental and Exercise Physiology Section      

2020

Outstanding Researcher, College of Health Sciences, Marquette University   

2018

Visiting Distinguished Thought Leader Award: Health Sciences, Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Australia        

2016

Nora Finnigan Werra Faculty Achievement Award from the Association of Marquette University Women Alumni           

‘All Star Faculty’ Recognition:  Marquette University Men’s Basketball Game, Bradley Center

2015
Appointed Associate Editor of Exercise and Sports Science Reviews

2014
Marquette University Excellence in Teaching Award

Way Klingler Research in Science Fellowship, Marquette University

Appointed Associate Editor of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

2013
College of Health Sciences Edward Carroll Teacher of the Year Award, Marquette University

National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute Musculoskeletal Workgroup and report on “The Impact of Sex and Gender on Adaptation to Space.”

2008
Dr. Judith Stitt Women’s Faculty Scholarship: Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation

2007
Way Klingler Young Scholar Award, Marquette University

2005
Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM)