Currently, the research focus is to examine the mechanisms by which physical activity levels and/or exercise modulate risk and development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and overall metabolic and cardiovascular diseases using both animal models and human subjects, and to be able to translate the findings into the clinical or applied setting. Graduate students will receive training in laboratory research, seminar preparation, scientific writing, problem solving and grant writing. Graduate studies at the University of Missouri offer the advantage of interdisciplinary exercise research that is facilitated by numerous collaborations at the many research centers at MU. In addition, the Exercise Physiology research program collaborates closely with other units on campus including the Department of Biomedical Sciences in the Vet School, and the Departments of Internal Medicine and Medical Pharmacology and Physiology in the School of Medicine among others.