UVA Exercise Physiology Lab

10/02/2026

A team of University of Virginia scientists has identified why a common type of delirium that often affects older patients after surgery may lead to dementia, and they’ve proposed a new treatment.

In a new study, UVA Health anesthesiologist Nadia Lunardi, MD, and her colleagues found anesthesia, surgery, and the stress of intensive care disrupted cognitive health of older subject. They also found that vorinostat, an FDA-approved cancer drug, can reverse some of these harmful effects.

🧠 Lunardi spoke with UVA Today about the findings and her work at UVA Health. Read the full interview at https://bit.ly/4hRWXYJ

10/02/2026

10/01/2026

We're re-sharing Sheila Boling’s story in recognition of the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sheila lost her twin sister to breast cancer at age 35. In 2017, a mammogram caught her own early-stage cancer. Now, Sheila works to raise awareness of the higher death rates from breast cancer among Black women, encouraging others to get screened and make their health a priority. 🩷🩷

10/01/2026

UVA Health is expanding its laboratory services in northern Albemarle County to serve more patients and meet the growing need for advanced testing.

Beginning in November 2027, UVA Health's West Complex laboratories and a small subset of laboratories now located on 11th Street in Charlottesville will move to a new and bigger location at the University of Virginia’s North Fork discovery park.

Laboratory services that require the fastest turnaround times – which include chemistry, hematology, coagulation and microbiology – will remain at the 11th Street location near UVA Health University Medical Center.

09/30/2026

According to a survey, roughly 16% of American adults currently take antidepressant drugs – and some of them want to stop.

On Reddit, users seek advice from each other about how to discontinue taking their antidepressants. On TikTok, users make videos about their experiences stopping medications and offer advice on how to handle withdrawal symptoms. Some people complain their doctors never talked to them about stopping treatment.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a set of policies to encourage doctors to deprescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, the most widely prescribed class of antidepressants.

“The reality is these medications are very safe,” says UVA Health psychiatrist Anita Clayton, MD. 💊 UVA Today spoke with Dr. Clayton about stopping antidepressants in July. Learn more about what she had to say at https://bit.ly/4hCjBTS

09/29/2026

This summer, University of Virginia doctoral students spent three weeks in Angola, collaborating with institutions and researchers to mitigate the spread of malaria.

Kwesi Forson, a biology doctoral student, and Julia Zulawinska, a biomedical science doctoral student, traveled between Luanda and Lubango to train scientists and health professionals.

“We trained scientists to use molecular methods to do malaria surveillance and track whether antimalarial drug resistance is occurring in their patient population,” Zulawinska said. “We also led trainings on a method called ‘parasite speciation,’ which helps identify the different species of malaria parasites, some more deadly than others.”

09/29/2026

This is an important, informative read

In light of champion ultrarunner Jeff Browning and Olympic medalist Jenny Simpson surviving cardiac emergencies, journalist Sara Stover spoke with two cardiologists on what runners need to know about protecting their—and others’—hearts.

09/29/2026

Excellent article

09/28/2026

🐝 Our BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) Award is an award dedicated to celebrating the team members who work alongside our nurses delivering expert, compassionate care.

Meet our latest honorees: Kaitlyn McEwen, a surgical scrub technician in the Family Birth Center at UVA Health Culpeper Medical Center and Stephen Pauley, a respiratory therapist at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center.

Kaitlyn consistently goes above and beyond to support patients, families, and her fellow team members. Her exceptional clinical expertise, professionalism, and ability to anticipate the needs of the team help ensure care is delivered safely, efficiently, and seamlessly.

Stephen was nominated for “his exceptional leadership and composure” during a CPR in progress on a pregnant patient. “Beyond his clinical skill, Steve showed remarkable emotional intelligence by recognizing the stress levels of those around him and actively working to de-escalate tension and provide reassurance,” his nominator wrote. “Many providers and staff during the code have since reached out to mention Steve by name for his ability to navigate the situation and maintain professionalism under pressure.”

We're incredibly proud to honor team members like Kaitlyn and Stephen who go above and beyond in their commitment to serving our patient community.

09/28/2026

You’ve probably been warned that if you don’t finish that course of antibiotics, you could wind up battling antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But a growing body of research suggests that the opposite might be true. What does this mean for you and your next sinus infection?

Science Friday spoke with Amy Mathers, MD, UVA Health's medical director of antimicrobial stewardship and an associate professor of medicine and pathology at the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia to learn more.

09/26/2026

"We really want to know the best way to return your form and function, get patients back to feeling confident with their everyday lives, and so really having tailored care where we get to know the individual is critical."

Christopher Campbell, MD, is a UVA Health plastic surgeon. His specialties include cancer reconstruction, cosmetic surgery, and body contouring after weight loss.

09/25/2026

As temperatures drop, outdoor exercisers need to think more about warm up. Here's a nice summary by Alex Hutchinson on what seems to matter with a warm up.

Personal anecdote: The "spin ups" we do at the beginning of my Peloton classes are so helpful! Low resistance, fast cadence.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BVgMk61Fc/

23 Sports Scientists Reviewed the Evidence on Warming Up. Here’s What Actually Works.

An international expert panel sifts through the evidence on pre-workout routines.

Read more in the comments.

09/22/2026

Friends and former students
We have a job posted. If you or someone you know is interested please check it out/let me know. [email protected] Only cool people with good people skills, please.

The job is full time with benefits but we will consider 30 hour/week employees for the right fit. 30 hour employees get full health benefits and partial everything else.
The job is dynamic and autonomous. You get to work with lots of smart researchers and students, and you'd have nice colleagues. :)

09/15/2026

Friends and former students--a wonderful article about Ethan Saliba. Many of you, like me, had him as a professor or had him evaluate your injuries. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14nfra7SR76/

It’s hard to imagine UVA and Virginia Basketball without Ethan Saliba, who’s been the associate athletic director for sports medicine since 2007, but his legendary run on Grounds is nearing its end.

Ethan is retiring this week after 43-plus years in the athletic department.

Thank you, Ethan!

https://virginiasports.com/news/2026/09/15/saliba-leaving-legacy-of-service-at-uva

08/04/2026

Enjoyed hearing all of the presentations by smart undergrads working in the core labs via a Cancer Center Scholar program. OUR smart undergrad, Dasha, has been a helpful, wonderful presence in the lab!
Dasha is a rising third year neuroscience major who plans a career in medicine. And just as importantly, she is a good human who volunteered this summer at the SPCA :)

07/26/2026

What does exercise do for you? I don't mean in a long-term health way. I mean---what does it do for you the day you exercise? For me it's mental clarity and physical energy. You?

07/01/2026

this is a good read: "How Exercise Transformed the Way These Doctors Practice"

06/18/2026

It's a wrap! Today was Eddie's last day in the lab. He will begin a Ph.D. program in Iowa in August. So very grateful to Eddie for all of his help this past year. He will be missed!
Thank you Eddie!

06/04/2026

As you know, our rock star Grad Assistant Eddie Markowski will be leaving to begin a Ph.D. program in Iowa. He will be replaced by Erin Meier. Erin is a second year master's student in the Kinesiology program. Erin did her undergraduate work at JMU and then spent a year teaching English in Alicante, Spain before beginning the graduate program. We know she is has very big shoes to fill, but we have all the confidence in the world that she will be a great addition to our team. Thank you Eddie and welcome Erin!