Our lab is located within the Leon Levine Hall of Health Science at Appalachian State University. This state-of-the-art building offers scholarship and teaching opportunities within the areas of exercise science, public health, nutrition, nursing, health care management, and more.
Leon Levine Hall
Appalachian State University
1179 State Farm Rd, Boone, NC 28608
Director: Dr. Jennifer A. Kurtz
Director: Dr. Jennifer A. Kurtz
PhD., CSCS, CISSN, ACSM CEP
Assistant Professor
Director, SNAP Laboratory
Director, Departmental Honors in Exercise Science
Office, Leon Levine Hall RM# 412
Office, Leon Levine Hall RM# 412
Appalachian State University
Education
Education
Ph.D. Kinesiology-Exercise Physiology (Nutrition Concentration), Georgia State University
M.S. Health and Human Performance, Georgia College and State University
B.S. Exercise Science, Georgia College and State University
Professional Goals
Advance research on the impact of nutritional interventions, nutrient timing, and ergogenic aids to optimize sports performance and recovery, with a focus on metabolic exercise testing.
Investigate hormonal influences on metabolism and develop enhanced preventative nutrition strategies to improve long-term health and performance, with a focus on women's health and athletes at all levels.
ABOUT THE LAB
ABOUT THE LAB
This lab explores the intersection of physiological assessments and nutritional interventions to optimize sports performance and recovery. Our research focuses on nutrient timing, ergogenic aids, hormonal influences on metabolism, and preventative nutrition approaches to enhance long-term health. Through metabolic exercise testing, we aim to provide actionable insights that support the health and performance needs of athletes and women.
RESEARCH COORDINATOR
RESEARCH COORDINATOR
Mabry Watson
Title of Project: Effect of creatine on neurocognition and performance recovery following an ultra-endurance race
M.S Kinesiology
Appalachian State University
CURRENT STUDENT RESEARCHERS
Mason Rudel
Graduate Strength & Conditioning Student Researcher
Research focus: endurance performance
Hannah Ealey
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Research title: Effects of Quercetin Supplementation on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Bone Health, and Body Composition in Menopausal Women
Focus: body composition changes in women
London Fidler
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Research title: Effects of Quercetin Supplementation on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Bone Health, and Body Composition in Menopausal Women
Focus: biochemical impacts
Gracelyn Donahue
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Research focus: the effects of beetroot juice on performance
Michael Jasinski
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Certified Phlebotomist
Lucas Parker
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Research focus: climbing performance
Natalie Badra
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Research focus: muscle damage, performance, & nutrition
Hayes Buchanan
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Research focus: muscle damage and performance
Hailey Heberling
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Joseph Raney
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Research focus: muscle damage and performance
SNAP ALUMNI
Chris Wing
Research Coordinator - Fall 2024
M.S Kinesiology
Appalachian State University
Briana Robinson
Research Coordinator - Spring 2025
M.S Kinesiology
Appalachian State University
Robert Faulkner
Graduate Student Researcher
Cyndel Waters
Graduate Student Researcher
Liam Brady
Undergraduate Honors Student Researcher
Casey Edmondson
Undergraduate Student Researcher
Kara Gryder
Undergraduate Student Researcher
RESEARCH COLLABORATORS
Laurel Wentz
Laurel Wentz
Ph.D. RD, CSSD, LDN
Associate Professor
Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management
Appalachian State University
*Wentz is a major collaborator of the SNAP lab.
Chad Kerksick
Chad Kerksick
Ph.D.
Assistant Dean, Research & Innovation
Director, Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory
College of Science, Technology, and Health
Lindenwood University
Jose Antonio
Jose Antonio
Ph.D., CSCS, FNSCA, FISSN
Exercise and Sport Science
Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences
Nova Southeastern University
Kevin Zwetsloot
Kevin Zwetsloot
Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Public Health and Exercise Science
Department of Biology (secondary appointment)
Appalachian State University
Alan Needle
Alan Needle
Ph.D., ATC, CSCS, FNATA
Professor
Director, Injury Laboratory
Department of Public Health & Exercise Science
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
Beaver College of Health Sciences
Appalachian State University
Stephen Bailey
Stephen Bailey
Ph.D., FHEA
Professor
School of Sport, Exercise and Health Science
Loughborough University
Marco Meucci
Marco Meucci
Ph.D.
COSMED, the Metabolic Company
Rafaela Feresin
Rafaela Feresin
Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition
Director, Doctoral Program in Chemistry with Concentration in Nutritional Sciences
Director, The Feresin Lab – Molecular & Clinical Nutrition Research
Chair, Dietary Bioactive Components Research Interest Section, American Society for Nutrition
Georgia State University
Ralf Jaeger
Ralf Jaeger
Ph.D., FISSN, CISSN, MBA
Managing Member
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