Symposium Keynote Speaker

Dr. Wendy M. Kohrt is the keynote speaker for the 2012 Student Creative Arts & Research Symposium.  Her address “See Jack Run. See Jill Run. What Makes Jack and Jill Run?” will focus on factors that regulate physical activity.

Dr. Kohrt is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, the Director of Research for Geriatric Medicine, and the Director of the IMAGE research group (Investigations in Metabolism, Aging, Gender, and Exercise). She is also the Director of the Energy Balance Core Laboratory for the NIH-supported Nutrition and Obesity Research Center, and served on the Federal Advisory Committee that prepared the evidence report for the first Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

One focus of Dr. Kohrt’s research is on age-related changes in metabolism, sex steroids, and body composition, with an emphasis on understanding changes that are triggered by the menopausal transition in women. Another branch of her research is on novel factors that influence musculoskeletal health and physical function in aging.

Dr. Kohrt has been continuously funded by the NIH as a principal investigator (PI) for 20 years.  She is currently the PI for two NIH R01 and one R21 research awards, a co-PI for six other NIH awards, and the PI for a Department of Defense award.  She received her PhD in Exercise Science from Arizona State University in 1986 and has more than 150 peer-reviewed and solicited publications.