Robert Powell, PhD, CEP, CDE, CSCS
Program Director, Undergraduate and Graduate Exercise Science
School of Kinesiology, Associate Professor, Exercise Science
Office Location: HC 2011A, on the C Level of the Henderson Center
Phone: 304-696-2513
E-mail: powellro@marshall.edu
Robert Powell, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Program Director within the Department of Exercise Science. Dr. Powell also serves as Director of the Diabetes and Cardiometabolic Exercise Center located on Marshall’s Campus. In addition to these roles, he is the Lead Exercise Physiologist with Diabetes Training Camp™ where he helps adult and teen individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes effectively manage their blood sugar and insulin levels to achieve their fitness and sport goals (ranging from walking programs, competitive team sports and Ironman triathlons). Prior to his academic position at Marshall, he spent 11 years the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute. There, he was involved in both clinical and community based research programs throughout southwestern Pennsylvania relating to diabetes, obesity and physical activity. In 2012, Dr. Powell became one of very few exercise physiologists throughout the country to obtain the Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) credential (now Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)) and began working in the primary care settings as a diabetes specialist. He received both his PhD and M.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh and obtained his B.S in Health Science from Slippery Rock University. Dr. Powell also holds the American College of Sports Medicine- Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) certification and the National Strength and Conditioning Association- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification. His primary research interests involve the therapeutic effects of exercise on diabetes; exercise and management strategies in diabetes and sport performance and fitness and conditioning principles across the lifespan.
Kumika Toma, PhD
School of Kinesiology, Associate Professor, Exercise Science
Office Location: GH 104F, on the D Level of Gullickson Hall
Phone: 304-696-2651
E-mail: tomak@marshall.edu
Kumika Toma, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in School of Kinesiology at Marshall University. Dr. Toma earned her Ph.D. degree in Muscle Biology and Exercise Physiology from the Ohio University Department of Biological Sciences and completed her postdoctoral training at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her research interests include human skeletal muscle responses to various stresses, such as training and de-training. As a clinical acupuncturist for the Japanese National Team, she became interested in neuromuscular injury and disease. She is also a visiting scholar at Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute, where she is investigating sympathetic nerve activity in response to stress by directly recording nerve activity from human nerve. Dr. Toma is excited to explore new opportunities and bring innovative research topics and activities to the Marshall University College of Health Professions.
Brandon Jones, PhD, CSCS
School of Kinesiology, Assistant Professor, Exercise Science
Office Location: HC 2015, on the C Level of the Henderson Center
Phone: 304-696-2824
E-mail: jonesbra@marshall.edu
Brandon Jones, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Marshall University. Dr. Jones received his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology at the University of Northern Colorado. His research interests include strength and power training, rock climbing physiology, hormone therapy, skeletal muscle adaptations, myosin heavy chain shifts, chemotherapy treatment and muscle function. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and has worked as a personal trainer in multiple gyms over the past 10 years. As a faculty member in the Kinesiology department, Dr. Jones strives to increase physical activity and health in the Huntington community.
Emeritus Faculty
Terry Shepherd, PhD
School of Kinesiology, Professor Emeritus, Exercise Science
Phone: 304-696-3186
E-mail: shephert@marshall.edu
Dr. Terry Shepherd earned his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology with emphasis in exercise biochemistry and metabolism from the University of Utah in 1987. He directed the Marshall University Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory for 14 years (1987 – 2001). Dr. Shepherd founded HIT Centers Inc., a national franchise system for athletic human performance, weight loss, and adult fitness. Dr. Shepherd also served as the coordinator for the graduate exercise science program. He also directed all research and learning experiences in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory. Dr. Shepherd currently teaches classes in the Physical Therapy department in his retirement.