Introducing the director of the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory – Brad Wilkins, PhD.
Dr. Wilkins is excited to be back at the University of Oregon, where he earned his Ph.D. in Human Physiology. Since leaving Eugene, he has become a leading expert in exercise and sport physiology. His passion lies in dissecting the physiological limits underlying human performance to then remove those barriers that constrain true human potential. Over the last 25 years, Dr. Wilkins has examined questions related to thermoregulation, neural control of the cardiovascular system, the influence of environment on exercise performance, the impact of product interventions on performance outcomes, and the bioenergetic factors constraining endurance performance. This work has led to over 40 published manuscripts and patents. Following the completion of his Ph.D. here at UO, he trained as a post-doctoral fellow at the Mayo Clinic under renowned physiologist Mike Joyner, before beginning an impressive 10-year stint as a research scientist at Nike. Dr. Wilkins held several scientific leadership positions at Nike including the founder of the Nike+ Sport Performance Laboratory, directing Next Generation Research teams, and leading the scientific team for Nike’s attempt at a sub 2-hour marathon (Breaking2).
Combining much of his previous work, his current research interests include exploring how the cardiovascular system and muscle bioenergetics dictate oxygen supply–demand balance during exercise, and how this interplay can limit endurance performance. As a teacher, he is dedicated to instilling the importance of scientific exploration, curiosity, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving to young scientists, medical professionals, business leaders, and citizens of the world.
Outside the lab, Dr. Wilkins is also a surfer and rock climber and enjoys time with his friends and family. He’s thrilled with the progress OPRL has had thus far and is eager to build its scientific portfolio and contributions to the performance community.