November 2, 2015
Evan Johnson, a UW assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences Division
of Kinesiology and Health, presents his research on hydration and health at the recent
Hydration for Health (H4H) Initiative Scientific Conference in Evian, France. Johnson
received the 2015 H4H Initiative Young Researcher of the Year Award, which recognizes
a young investigator who has completed research that has a significant impact in the
area of hydration and health. (Hydration for Health Photo)
A University of Wyoming researcher recently received a young researcher award for
his work in the field of hydration and health.
Evan Johnson, an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences Division of Kinesiology
and Health, received the 2015 Hydration for Health (H4H) Initiative Young Researcher
of the Year Award. The H4H Initiative is a global health initiative that shares science
and knowledge on healthy hydration with health care providers and consumers. Each
year, it recognizes a young investigator whose research has made a significant impact
in the field of hydration as it relates to health.
Johnson was recognized for his research that described the negative changes in blood
glucose regulation that occur in men with Type 2 diabetes when fluid intake is low.
Johnson completed the research during his time as a postdoctoral associate at the
University of Arkansas. He accepted the award and presented his research at the recent
H4H Initiative Scientific Conference in Evian, France.
“The award is the culmination of many years of work researching the impacts of daily
water intake on health,” Johnson says. “It is validation that I've been a part of
research projects that are on the leading edge of this topic. It's also great motivation
to continue this line of research and strengthen the relationships I've made in the
field.”
Johnson began his career by investigating the impacts of heat on athletic performance
and outlining risk factors for temperature misregulation during training. Because
of hydration’s important role in temperature regulation, he says he was aware of the
physiology related to fluid intake and performance.
“Because of this background knowledge, I was included on a project investigating the
impact of fluid intake within the general population,” Johnson says. “After seeing
the impact that such a gentle intervention had, I knew this was a field that had vast
potential for improving health.”
Johnson joined the UW faculty this fall. He received a B.A. in exercise science (2004)
from George Washington University, and an M.A. (2008) and Ph.D. (2014) in kinesiology,
both from the University of Connecticut.
His research focuses on the impact and development of low-cost and manageable nutrition
and physical activity interventions on health. He is developing a project that will
provide more specific and actionable recommendations for water intake when people
recognize they are dehydrated or in a state of fluid retention.
Johnson plans to recruit members of the community to participate in research projects.
Announcements requesting participation will be distributed at a future time.
