PhD in Kinesiology and Nutrition

Advancing the field through cutting-edge research

UIC’s PhD in kinesiology and nutrition is an interdisciplinary, advisor-driven program that prepares researchers and healthcare industry leaders. Drawing upon a variety of disciplines, our program teaches you the research skills necessary to acquire new knowledge, and the theoretical foundations, research methodologies, and scientific writing, teaching and presentation skills required to spread this knowledge.

Our program creates experts in the interrelated fields of musculoskeletal biomechanics, nutrition, metabolism, pathophysiology, obesity, exercise, inflammation and tissue repair. We train researchers, educators and scientist-practitioners to conduct basic, applied and translational research in a wide range of settings.

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Stats and Facts

#14
ranked doctoral program by the National Academy of Kinesiology
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Doctoral students in kinesiology and nutrition Heather Grimm, Chenyl Ling and UIC business student Huizhang Zhou pictured from left to right
FitZen app wins start-up competition
Health-management app developed by students wins 10th annual Concept2Venture business plan competition
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Neeta Suresh Kanekar head shot
2014 AHS New Alum Award recipient Neeta Suresh Kanekar '13 returns to home country to give back
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What to expect
An in-depth look at the program

Your career

A PhD is kinesiology and nutrition leads to careers in academic research, teaching, government research or industry. Our graduates are actively publishing articles, giving talks at national and international conferences, obtaining independent funding for their work, and securing prestigious post-doctoral fellowships upon graduation.

Learn from the best

  • Tim Koh

    Tim Koh

    Studying tissue repair and healing at the organism, tissue, cellular and molecular level

  • Jacob Haus

    Jacob Haus

    Helping incorporate early treatments and lifestyle interventions that help prevent and treat the development of long-term complications associated with diabetes

  • Angela Odoms-Young

    Angela Odoms-Young

    Shedding light on social, cultural and environmental determinants of dietary behaviors and diet-related diseases in low-income and minority populations

Understanding by doing

Our mentor-driven program model allows you to determine your individual course of study and pursue a broad array of topics in kinesiology and nutrition. You’ll perform at least 32 hours of research in your focus area, but you won’t do it alone. With your faculty advisor, you will work through specific areas of investigation aligned with their expertise and contribute to breakthroughs in exercise physiology, exercise psychology, health promotion, human nutrition, integrative pathophysiology or muscoloskeletal biomechanics.

In most cases, doctoral student advisors are the heads of research teams and labs in their particular area of expertise. In addition to formal lab settings, you’ll have a variety of opportunities for research in clinical and field settings. Our PhD candidates work and study in many settings, including the following:

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Dr. Giamila Fantuzzi

Questions?

Still wondering what a PhD in kinesiology and nutrition can do for you? The best first step on your road to doctoral study is to contact faculty whose expertise matches your own interests. For general questions, you can call or send an email to Dr. Giamila Fantuzzi, Director of Graduate Studies in Kinesiology and Nutrition.

You can contact Giamila Fantuzzi at: