Austin
Dr. Austin Robinson is an Associate Professor at Indiana University. He seeks to determine integrative strategies to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in America. His research interests are examining the impact of health behaviors such as nutrition, sleep, and physical activity on cardiovascular physiology in health and disease. He is also interested in racial disparities in cardiovascular health and the underlying social determinants and physiological mechanisms that contribute to these disparities. He has secured funding from the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, and American College of Sports Medicine. He is actively involved in service for these organizations along with the American Physiological Society. Outside of work, he likes to exercise, read, garden, and hang out with his wife, Sofia, and their dog, a pit bull rescue aptly named Chaos.
Zach
Zach Hutchison, M.S. in Exercise Science, is a technician and study coordinator for the NVPL. He is working on his PhD in Kinesiology at Auburn University being co-mentored by Dr. Robinson and Dr. Andreas Kavazis. Prior to working in the NVPL, he spent time during his undergraduate studies and masters degree assisting multiple researchers in laboratories within the Auburn School of Kinesiology. His interests include the effects of obesity on cardiovascular health, and the potential protective effect of mitochondrial antioxidant supplementation on cardiovascular health in populations at heightened risk, such as individuals with obesity, older adults, racial and ethnic minoritized communities (NCT04334135 & NCT05561556). Outside of the lab Zach enjoys spending time with his wife (Amber) and daughter (Harper). Zach enjoys going to the beach or lake and likes kayaking, fishing, and playing golf.
Links & contact info:Email: zzh0026@auburn.edu
Google Scholar
Twitter/X: @ZHutchison_Sci
Meral
Meral Culver, M.S. in Sports Medicine, is a doctoral student working with Dr. Robinson in the NVPL and is our resident sleep expert. As an undergraduate and graduate research assistant, she was involved in several projects covering a wide array of exercise physiology disciplines. Her primary research interest is the role of sleep, and other modifiable health behaviors (e.g., physical activity), on cardiovascular and metabolic health in diverse populations. She is completing her dissertation at Auburn University with co-mentorship from Dr. Jaime Roper focused on the effects of short-term sleep extension on cardiometabolic health in young adults who self-report obtaining insufficient sleep (NCT05918744). Outside of the lab, Meral enjoys going to the gym, spending time outside, hanging out with her dog Sav, reading, going to the beach, and watching Coastal Carolina football.
Links & contact info:Email: mnc0049@auburn.edu
Google Scholar
Twitter/X: @CulverMeral
Braxton
Dr. Braxton Linder, PhD in Kinesiology (Integrative Physiology), is a postdoctoral researcher working with Dr. Robinson in the NVPL. Prior to working in the NVPL, he worked with Dr. Gordon Fisher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham examining the influence of dietary nitrate on cardiometabolic health in patient populations (e.g., Type 2 Diabetes). He also participated in undergraduate research at the University of Northern Alabama where he also ran for the cross-country team. Braxton’s interest includes the influence of diet and physical activity/exercise on cardiovascular health and immune function. He is also interested in methodology, statistics, and data analysis. He is helping lead a trial focused on the ability of ketones to counteract the adverse effects of high salt on blood pressure regulation (NCT05545501) and immune cell responses to hypernatremia (high salt media) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory responses. Outside of the lab, Braxton enjoys running, rock-climbing, pick-up sports, video games, reading, and trying out new beers while socializing with friends.
Links & contact info:Email: bal0039@auburn.edu
Google Scholar
PubMed
Twitter/X: @braxtonlinder2
Soolim
Soolim Jeong, M.S. in Exercise Physiology, is a doctoral candidate working with Dr. Robinson in the NVPL. Her research interest is investigating modifiable lifestyle factors (diet, physical activity, stress) and interventions for cardiovascular disease. She is completing her dissertation at Auburn University with co-mentorship from Dr. Brooks Mobley focused on the ability of dietary ketones to counteract the potential adverse effects of high salt on subclinical kidney injury and kidney blood flow regulation (NCT05545501). Outside of the lab, Soolim enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and fostering puppies.
Links & contact info:Email: szj0091@auburn.edu
Google Scholar Nina
Nina Stute, M.S. in Exercise Physiology, is a doctoral student working with Dr. Robinson in the NVPL, and with Dr. Bruce Gladden in Muscle Physiology Lab at Auburn University. Nina’s research interests center around neurovascular (dys)regulation and subsequent cardiovascular outcomes. During her M.S., she primarily investigated alterations in neural cardiovascular control in individuals who had recently been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Her other research interests include neurovascular regulation differences in sex, aging, and clinical populations- with specific interest in high inflammatory and autoimmune disease states. Her dissertation project at Auburn University focuses on the ability of exogenous potassium supplementation and increased fluid intake to counteract potential adverse cardiovascular and renal complications of underhydration (NCT06062017). In Dr. Gladden’s lab, Nina is focused on learning various molecular techniques and hopes to get some animal physiology experience to further her ability as a translational scientist. Outside of the lab, Nina enjoys playing golf, spending time outside, reading, and singing karaoke with her friends.
Links & contact info:Email: nls0028@auburn.edu
Google Scholar
PubMed
Twitter/X: @nina_stuteKallie
Kallie Dawkins, M.S. in Food and Nutrition Science, is a Registered Dietitian and doctoral student working with Dr. Robinson in the NVPL at Indiana University Bloomington. Prior to joining the NVPL, she worked as a study coordinator and adjunct professor at Florida State University (FSU). At FSU, she investigated the influence of multiple dietary interventions on glycemic control and cardiovascular health. Kallie also enjoyed teaching undergraduate physiology and nutrition courses during her time at FSU. Her research interests include examining how nutrition and health behaviors influence cardiovascular health, neurovascular regulation, and racial/ethnic disparities in cardiometabolic health. Outside of the lab, Kallie enjoys rock climbing, camping, aerial arts, reading, and spending time with her cat Veena.
Links & contact info:Email: kaldawki@iu.edu