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The past year has been a period of growth and transformation for the College of Health & Human Performance. We experienced a historic enrollment of over 3,000 students and a record-breaking $13.3 million in total research awards. These achievements are a testament to the dedicated faculty and staff of HHP whose work is transforming how society lives, works, and plays.
The college has a leading role in the university’s new UF & Sports Collaborative, a $5 million presidential initiative. The Collaborative is a cross-campus partnership among HHP and the Warrington College of Business, College of Journalism & Communications, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, College of Medicine, and the University Athletic Association. It focuses heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) and sport analytics to propel the university to the global stage in athletics, healthcare, and communications. To help drive the initiative, we recruited Scott Nestler, Ph.D., CAP, PStat, a national authority on sports analytics, who joined the faculty of our Department of Sport Management this fall. I am confident we’ll see tremendous advances as we leverage AI to benefit both our student-athletes and the greater sports community.
In this issue, you’ll learn about two fascinating studies — one examining an alternative pain management option and another exploring the long-term health consequences of extended spaceflight. You’ll also see how our students enrich their education through internships with prestigious employers, like NASA and the Gainesville Sports Commission, gaining a competitive edge as they seek employment post-graduation. Finally, you’ll hear from your peers about where they are today and how they continue to make a meaningful impact with their alma mater. As the saying goes, “the Gator Nation is everywhere.”
Your engagement as alumni, friends, and donors has helped our college reach new heights. On behalf of our students and faculty, I want to express our sincere appreciation for all you do.
Thank you and Go Gators!
Michael Reid
Dean
In collaboration with NASA, Rachael Seidler, Ph.D. — a professor in HHP's Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology and the deputy director of the UF Astraeus Space Institute — is studying the long-term effects of long-duration spaceflight on the brain, behavior and aging. READ MORE
In the midst of America’s growing opioid crisis, a much healthier alternative to long-term pain management is emerging — one affectionately known as “the cuddle hormone,” or oxytocin. A two-year interdisciplinary study at UF examines synthetic oxytocin’s potential as an alternate pain management option for older adults. READ MORE
A brief origin story of Albert the Alligator by HHP alum and man-behind-the-mascot Lt. Col. Bradley Williams (US Army, Ret.), Ph.D. READ MORE
Bob Schalow (BSR ’94) is a natural-born problem solver. From Senior Vice President at Diversified Restaurant Group to his pivotal role on UF’s Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute Advisory Board, Schalow is dedicated to solving industry challenges and fostering the next generation of leaders through education and opportunity. READ MORE
Conducting high-level research on how space affects the brain and body, two UF students are making their mark on the study of microgravity and motor control. Jordan Rodriguez (BSAPK ’24) and Sophia Larralde (BPH ’26) explore the effects of microgravity on the brain and motor control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. READ MORE
This March, the Gainesville Sports Commission, a not-for-profit organization that supports the Gainesville community through creating and managing sporting events, is partnering with the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s Department of Sport Management to help execute the World Masters Athletics (WMA) Indoor Championships 2025, giving students hands-on experience collaborating an international, large-scale sporting event. READ MORE
On Friday, Oct. 25, the UF College of Health & Human Performance hosted its second annual AI Day exploring how human-powered AI solutions advance the human experience. The event offered attendees a chance to engage with cutting-edge AI research from the college and connect with industry professionals. It also marked the kickoff of UF’s annual AI Days, which continued the following week. READ MORE
David ‘Dave’ Sobelman attributes much of who he has become today to the values he gained and the interactions he made at UF. “What the university taught me is how important it is to be relational, ethical and unwavering in these values,” Sobelman said. “This was ingrained in me by the university's culture and has been a guiding principle in my life.”
read profile
At the heart of everything Leigh Feenburg does is a deep commitment to helping others. “My handshake is my word,” Feenburg said. “I want to make an impact as best I can.” Feenburg, a graduate of the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s Department of Health Education & Behavior, always knew he wanted to help people reach their full potential and saw a future in medicine.
read profileAlexandra “Alex” Dubur serves as Corporate Counsel for Visit Orlando, the country’s leading tourism association dedicated to branding and marketing Orlando as a destination. A proud double Gator, Dubur graduated from the UF College of Health & Human Performance’s Department of Sport Management and the UF Levin College of Law. READ PROFILE
Ross Schilling has traveled the world with some of the greatest musical artists: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, Toto, Hank Williams, Jr., and Kenny Wayne Shepherd, to name a few, but his start in the entertainment biz spurs from humble beginnings at UF. Schilling joined Student Government Productions while studying recreation at HHP and worked to bring big, national acts to Gainesville including Tom Petty, the Black Crows, Lenny Kravitz and Morrissey. READ PROFILE
The virtual issue of Performance magazine offers additional content about students, staff, faculty and alumni. Click link below to view:
Performance Magazine is a place to celebrate the successes of our faculty, students and alumni. We also hope it's a useful tool to keep you updated on the most recent happenings. See below for past issues of Performance Magazine.
Performance Magazine 2019-2020
e-Performance: Summer 2019 | e-Performance: Spring 2019
Performance Magazine 2018 | e-Performance: Fall 2018
e-Performance: Summer 2018 | e-Performance: Summer 2017
e-Performance: Spring 2017 | e-Performance: Winter 2016
Performance Magazine: 2016 | Performance Magazine: 2015