Author: bww

Introducing the OPRL Team: Mira Schoeberlein, PhD Student

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The OPRL is excited to introduce our first PhD student! – Mira Schoeberlein, B.S.  

Mira joins the OPRL as she pursues a Ph.D. in Human Physiology; and as a  founding member, is the lab’s first student researcher. Her research interests revolve around the impact of various stressors on the physiological limits of human performance.  Her current research study aims to understand the link between fluctuating sex hormones and sustainable exercise intensities (link to study).  

Mira received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Puget Sound (UPS). During her time at UPS, Mira conducted guided research projects over for five semesters. This began in organic chemistry, and later she followed her passion for scientific research in exercise physiology. This allowed her to blend her passion for biochemistry and experiences from extracurricular activities (rock climbing, skiing, and mountaineering). Mira conducted novel physiology research investigating combined heat exposure and varying exercise intensity on pulmonary gas exchange. This project solidified her passion for research in the field of exercise and environmental physiology. 

In addition to her academic interests, Mira also pursued a professional career in the outdoor industry as a mountaineering guide on Mount Rainier in Washington. She witnessed a variety of physiological challenges and triumphs while working with clients on the mountain. Mira’s experiences on the mountains, both professional and personal, fuel her curiosity for performance research and the underlying physiology when humans are pushed to their physical limits.   

 

Introducing the OPRL Team: Jake Hudgins, Research Associate and Lab Manager

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Dr. Jake Hudgins – a research associate on the OPRL team – was brought on to be both an applied researcher and manager of OPRL’s operations, research compliance, and organizational needs. Finalizing the physical lab space was priority one on Dr. Hudgins’ 2023 agenda. This included the procurement of the lab’s major research equipment and supplies while helping OPRL Director, Dr. Wilkins, navigate the lab’s major renovation. With phase 1 of the renovation complete, Dr. Hudgins has shifted focus to OPRL’s research testing for ongoing studies and helping to build the OPRL’s research team and collaborators.

Dr. Hudgins joined the team after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky where his research focused on determining the validity of wearable training devices for estimating metabolic workloads during running or for improving strength and power training. With an interest in leveraging the huge amount of data in modern research, he also completed a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics during his Ph.D.

In addition to being an experienced researcher, Dr. Hudgins also has a background in sport performance coaching. He was an Assistant Performance Coach for the Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and the National Women Soccer League’s Utah Royals soccer teams where he assisted with the design and implementation of physical performance training programs and sport science initiatives. He received his master’s in Strength & Conditioning from the University of Georgia and bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University where he also interned with the strength & conditioning staffs for Olympic Sports and Football, respectively. Over the last decade, Jake has also privately trained hundreds of individuals from youth athletes to masters’ athletes, as well as individuals simply seeking to maintain fitness later in life.

Dr. Hudgins’ combined background in performance coaching and research is a significant asset to the OPRL; while working with athlete participants or translating scientific insights to actionable and tangible strategies for anyone seeking to improve performance.

Outside the lab, he loves training for triathlons and other performance goals while also exploring Oregon’s great food and wine culture with his wife Kristen.

Introducing the OPRL Team: Brad Wilkins – Director

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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.  

Phase 1 Renovation for OPRL Complete!

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After several months of hard work by the University of Oregon architects, interior designers, facility managers, and plenty of external contractors, the first phase of renovation for the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory is complete!

There will be two separate phases to complete the overall lab renovation. Our lab deserved an overhaul to support the comprehensive and integrated performance physiology research we are doing. 

Phase 1 saw a complete renovation of the primary exercise and performance testing room including new walls, updated electrical wiring and lighting, new flooring and cabinetry, and much more. Walls were knocked down for a more open layout, which maximizes the available space for larger equipment and improves flow through the lab.  This space now houses our high-speed treadmills and our precision cycle ergometers, along with the hydrotherapy tub and other testing equipment. Additionally, this space includes an environmental chamber that is capable of reproducing almost all environments on planet Earth, including high altitude (normobaric hypoxia). In addition to the primary exercise room,  the laboratory bathrooms were remodeled to add a shower for research and testing participants. This now provides us with a full bathroom and a half bathroom.

The completion of Phase 1 of the renovations has kickstarted research. Phase 2 is expected to begin in a few months, which will be another major renovation. Completion of Phase 2 will provide even more space for an additional exercise testing room, a bench-top biochemical and blood analysis equipment room, and additional space for freezers, storage, and more!   

Follow us on social media to see more of Phase 1 and to follow along during the summer for Phase 2! 

 

 

 

Introducing the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory

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We formally introduce the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory (OPRL) – the University of Oregon’s newest laboratory in the Department of Human Physiology. We strive to be the preeminent performance research laboratory, educational resource, and research team for elevating human performance. We consider this the beginning of a great scientific endeavor to discern and understand the physiological limitations of performance and provide new and tangible strategies for anyone looking to improve their performance.   

The origin of the OPRL began with the University of Oregon’s creation of the Sport and Wellness Initiative in 2021. One of the goals of this initiative is to ‘advance research that breaks traditional boundaries and brings together faculty and students from across the university as well as external partners to achieve innovation [and] apply results to improve health and performance‘. In 2023, this initiative along with generous donations to the university, provided the opportunity to hire new Assistant Professor and performance physiology expert, Dr. Brad Wilkins. Dr. Wilkins was then tasked with creating a new research program focused on human performance – an endeavor he has long envisioned.  

The Oregon Performance Research Laboratory is now a reality, with the overall mission to discern the physiological limits of performance to measurably elevate human potential. Accomplishing this mission will result in significant scientific advancements in our understanding of human physiology, and will remove performance barriers not just for the elite, but for all individuals regardless of background, physical characteristics, medical condition, or performance goals. With an emphasis on delivering a measurable impact, we seek to redefine human capability through: novel scientific exploration, communication and application, and the cultivation of curiosity. 

Novel Scientific Exploration means we explore the physiological mechanisms underlying human limitations through rigorous scientific studies. At the heart of our laboratory is the pursuit of groundbreaking scientific discoveries. We will venture into uncharted territories of exercise and sports physiology to uncover new insights that can transform our collective understanding of human health & performance. We will accomplish this work through asking creative, novel, and more thoughtful questions that lead to impactful discoveries and understanding. 

Subsequent Communication & Application of this novel scientific knowledge will accelerate individual and/or group performance achievements. We strive to demystify complex scientific concepts, ensuring that our findings are accessible and actionable by clearly communicating our research through a variety of channels. We will aim to empower individuals (athletes, coaches, healthcare professionals, and the wider community) with tangible knowledge so they can apply these scientific principles to their training, health, and performance strategies. 

Lastly, we aim to Cultivate Curiosity in order to solve the next generation performance problems. This is done through fostering a learning environment where our team of researchers and students feel the freedom to ask and explore the big questions, while thinking independently, creatively, and critically. 

Although the laboratory space is always evoling, we are hitting the ground running, with multiple funded research projects already in motion while we further conceptualize new studies and potential services. Ultimately, the people who make up our team and our global collaborators will be the driving force towards mission success. Therefore, we invite individuals, organizations, companies, and agencies who want to join our pursuit of human performance to please connect with us.