Faculty & Student Successes

Publications

Taylor DS, Allotey AA, Fanelli RE, Satyanarayana SB, Bettadapura SS, Wyatt CR, Nelson AC, Schmitt EE, Bruns DR, Bedford NL (2025). Diurnal Regulation of Urinary Behavior and Gene Expression in Aged Mice. Journal of Gerontology: Biological Sciences. Accepted September 2025

Huang, SC., Zhu, Q. (2025). Detection of Chronic Cognitive-Motor Deficits in Adults with a History of Concussion Using Computerized Eye-Hand Coordination Tasks: Preliminary Experimental Study. Interactive Journal of Medical Research (IF = 2.2)

Liu, K., Zhu, Q., Weidong X. (2025). A complex motor task is required to identify neuroplastic changes in motor control of the lower extremity in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients: A fNIR study. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (IF = 2.7)

Ricci, J. M., Kern, B. D., Killian, C. M., Trinh, A., Wilson, W. J., and van der Mars, H. (in press). Impact of state-level physical education policies on PE access in the United States: A comparative analysis of policy implementation and weekly PE minutes. Journal of School Health.

Kahan, D., Kern, B. D., & van der Mars, H. (in press). Time for elementary physical education and estimated energy expenditure based on U.S. teacher report: Implications for strong policy development. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

Killian, C., & Kern, B. D. (in press). Chapter 9: Integrating health-related fitness into the curriculum. In J. Greenberg (Ed.) Physical best: Physical education for lifelong fitness and health, 5th edition. Human Kinetics.

Kern, B. D., & Killian, C. (in press). Chapter 12: Assessing student understanding of health related fitness. In J. Greenberg (Ed.) Physical best: Physical education for lifelong fitness and health, 5th edition. Human Kinetics.

Kern, B. D., Wright, A., Tolhurst, A., & Morrison, J. (2025). Strength & conditioning in physical education: Meeting the needs of all students by design. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 96(5), 14-23.

Smith, F. T., Kern, B. D., Gura, C., Singhi, S., & Batista, R. A. (2025). The National Physical Activity Plan early childhood education strategy: State policy surveillance. Childhood Obesity.

Kern, B. D., Wilson, W. J., Killian, C. M., Paulson, L., van der Mars, H., Woo, D., & Wallhead, T. (2025). Declining physical education access in U.S. schools: A state-by-state analysis of policy implementation. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education. Advanced online publication.

Killian, C. M., Kern, B. D., Wilson, W. J., & van der Mars, H. (2025). Geographic and gradelevel disparities in access to school-based physical activity opportunities across 25 U.S. states. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 22(2), 235-244.

Kern, B. D., & Palmer, L. (2025). Development and maturation of school principals’ viewpoint of physical education’s value to the academic mission: An occupational socialization perspective. European Physical Education Review, 31(4), 525-540.

Genoese FM, Harkey MS, Liu T, Covassin T, Baez SE. Pain catastrophizing is associated with lower extremity visuomotor reaction time in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during simulated sport distraction. Journal of Sport Rehabililatation.

Grozier CD, Genoese F, Collins K, Paramar A, Tolzman J, Kuenze C, Harkey MS. Prevalence of knee effusion-synovitis is not associated with self-reported knee pain in division I female athletes. Sports Health.

Bennett A, Bartels A, Harkey M, Covassin T, Baez SE, Genoese FM. The relationship between active coping skills and self-reported knee function in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Journal of Athletic Training. 2025;60(3):224-229.

Yoder HA, Mullholland AM, Johnson EC, Winchester LJ, Wingo JE. Physiological Response to Heat Stress in Groundskeepers: An Observational Field Study. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. Accepted 2025 Aug 1

Johnson EC, Miller K, Body Fluids and Water Balance. IN: Biomechanical, Physiological, and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition (5th Edition), in press scheduled for 2025

Carson, M., Wallhead, T. L., & Simonton, K. L. (2025). Exploring the emotions and emotional antecedents of lower skilled female middle school students in differing curricular approaches to teaching physical education. Movement and Sports Science/Science Motivation. DOI: 10.1051/sm/2025007

Hastie, P., Curtner-Smith, M., Pill, S., & Wallhead, T. L. (in press). Enacting Sport Education: Lessons learned in four countries. In D. Kirk (Ed.) International Perspectives on Physical Education. Edward Elgar Publishing. Cheltenham and Chamberley, UK.

Simonton, K. L., Shiver, V. N., Juarez, K., & Wright, P. M. (In press). Development of students’ self-efficacy for social-emotional learning across a one-year program: Paradoxical development and response-shift bias. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

Juarez, K., Simonton, K. L., Shiver, V. N., & Kim, Y. (In press). Investigating physical education teacher psychological belief profiles for teaching students towards a growth mindset. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

Gray, A., Gaudreault, K. L., & Simonton, K. L. (In press). Following pre service physical education teachers’ development and construction of knowledge for marginality and mattering beliefs across their PETE program. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

Kim, Y., Schulz, D., Simonton, K. L., Gaudreault, K. L., Mercier, K., Shiver, V. N., & Richards, K. A. R. (In press). Breaking the negative loop of teacher motivation and wellbeing in physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Cruickshank, V. & Simonton, K. L. (In press). Recognizing marginality and coping with the challenges: A mixed methods exploration of Tasmanian Physical Educators. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

Fullerton, S. A., Gaudreault, K. L., Simonton, K. L., Shiver, V. N., Kravitz, L. (In press). Physical education teachers’ acceptance and use of a supplemental software application. Journal of Teaching Physical Education.

Schulz, D., Kim, Y., Simonton, K. L., Gaudreault, K. L., Mercier, K., Shiver, V. N., & Richards, K. A. R. (In press). Psychological resource development for pre-service teachers: Suggestions for perceived mattering curriculum in PETE. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

Carey, N., & Simonton, K. L. (In press). First year physical education teachers’ major sources of efficacy: Transition from pre-service to in-service teaching. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

Pavlovic, M., Casey, L., & Simonton, K. L. (In press). Youth athletes with dyslexia and their experience within inclusive sport: What is the influence of the coach? The Physical Educator.

Simonton, K. L., Gaudreault, K. L., Olive, C., Vasquez, M., & Fullerton, S. (In press). Investigating the influence of perceived teacher and environmental appraisals on emotions and perceived marginality of physical educators. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

Schulz, D., Gaudreault, K. L., Richards, K. A. R. Shiver, V. N., & Simonton, K. L. (In press). Exploring perceived mattering in physical education teacher education doctoral students. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education.

Schulz, D., Gaudreault, K., Simonton, K., L., Shiver, V. N., & Richards, K. A. R. (In press). Exploring perceived mattering in physical educators across the teacher career cycle: A focus on two stages. European Physical Education Review.

Kim, Y., Simonton, K. L., Mercier, K., Gaudreault, K., & Richards, K. A. R. (In press). Examining the relationship between preservice PE teachers’ beliefs and emotions with their perceived professional identity during student teaching. European Physical Education Review.

Schulz, D., Gaudreault, K. L., Richards, K. A. R., Shiver, V. N., & Simonton, K. L. (In press). Exploring perceived mattering in physical education teacher education faculty. Sport, Education and Society.

Wallhead, T. L., Simonton, K. L., Abu-Ramadan, T. M., & Hartung, C. M (2025). Taking it out of PE: Transfer of mountain biking in physical education to extra-curricular contexts. In. T. Leeder & L. C. Beaumont (Eds.), Teaching and Coaching Lifestyle Sports: Research and Practice. (pp. 30-43). Routledge.

Carey, N., & Simonton, K. L. (2025) Early career physical educator’s perceived efficacy, effectiveness, and emotional experience: A comparison between edTPA and non- edTPA completers. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education, 16, 222-241.

Kim, Y. Simonton, K. L., & Richards, K. A. R. (2025). Comparing workplace experiences of physical educators and Physical Education Teacher Education faculty members. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 44, 592-601.

Simonton, K. L., Wei, M., Kulinna, P., & Poulos, A. (2025). Development of a comprehensive social-emotional learning questionnaire for elementary afterschool programs. Journal of Youth Development, 20, 76-96.

Simonton, K. L., Haneishi, K., Gray, A., & Espinoza, C. (2025). Physical education pre-service teachers’ perceptions of learning about the Spectrum of Teaching Styles and its role in their pedagogical awareness and practice. European Physical Education Review, 31, 205-224.

Merica, C., Egan, C., Webster, C., Kern, B., Orendorff, K., & Simonton, K. L. (2025). We can do this: Physical educators’ role breadth self-efficacy to be involved with CSPAP from an occupational socialization perspective. European Physical Education Review, 31, 183-204.

Pavlovic, M., Simonton, K. L., & Casey L. (2025). Exploring relationships between youth athlete perceptions of coaches, climates, and social-emotional development. Movement and Sports Sciences, 2025009, 1-11.

Garn, A. C., Simonton, K. L., & Mercier, K. (2025). Development and validation of the Teacher Motivation in Physical Education Questionnaire (TMPEQ). Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 44, 201-211.

Ceylen, M., & Simonton, K. L. (2025). Physical education value and achievement emotions in Turkish secondary schools: Testing moderation by gender and sports involvement. International Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 4, 1-12.

Shiver, V. N., Simonton, K. L., Simonton, A., & Alshurayami, A. (2025). Utilizing a community of practice for teaching personal and social responsibility: A case study. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 44, 91-99.

Kern, B., Wilson, W., Killian, C., van der Mars, H., Simonton, K. L., Wallhead, T., & Woo, D. (2025). Physical education access in US public schools: A multi-state, multi-region study. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 44, 78-90.

Gaudreault, K. L., Schulz, D., Simonton, K. L., Richards, K. A. R., & Mercier, K. (2025). It’s complicated: Exploring relationships between emotions and career stages among physical educators. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 44, 11-19.

Caputo, J. L., Ibrahim A. H., Davis, D. W., Stone, W. J., Garver M. J., Johnson S. J. Editorial Polices on Artificial Intelligence in Sports Science: Balancing Innovation and Ethical Standards. Kinesiology Review.

Ibrahim, Adam H., John, Jannika M., Miller, Shelby, Plaut, Natalie, & Strohacker. Kelley. (2025). Enhancing Client Onboarding with Biographical Mapping: Reflections Based on Piloted Procedures. Case Studies in Sport and Performance Psychology. Advance online publication.

Presentations

Grants

Feng, Z.C., Mason, I., Torres, M., Song, Y., Zhu. Q. “The Coordination of Upper and Lower Limb Movements in Shooting Basketball from Various Distance: A Pilot Study” poster presentation at the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB) Conference, August 13-16, 2025, Pittsburgh, PA.

Zhu, Q. “Research on Perceptual-motor Skills” invited verbal presentation in the research seminar hosted by School of Physical Education in Yunnan University, June 6, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.

Murray M, Genoese FM, Baez SE. Motivation as a mediator of the perfectionism-athlete burnout relationship in junior and collegiate athletes. Poster presentation at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology Annual Symposium. Vancouver, Canada. October 2025.

Genoese FM, Harkey M, Liu T, Covassin T, Baez SE. Pain catastrophizing is associated with slower lower extremity visuomotor reaction time among individuals with ACL reconstruction during simulated sport distraction. Poster presentation at the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Clinical Symposia. Orlando, Florida. June 2025.

Sandra Goheen-Smith: 2025 Guest presentations for Community Colleges, two classes at Eastern Wyoming Community College, two classes at LCCC, one class at Casper College.

Kern, B. D., Killian, C.M., Paulson, L., Wilson, W., van der Mars, H., & Wallhead, T. L. (2025). Disparities, deficits and the need for policy action: The United States physical education and physical activity policy project. Oral Symposium at AIESEP 2025, St. Petersburg, FL.

Carson, M., Wallhead, T. L., & Simonton, K. L. (2025). Exploring the emotions and emotional antecedents of lower skilled female middle school students during Sport Education and traditional teaching. Oral Presentation at AIESEP 2025, St. Petersburg, FL.

Rachel Watson, Reflecting on the journey of building and participating with community college learning communities in a rural state. Action Research Network of the Americas (ARNA) 2025 Conference: An Artful Experience: The Use of Arts Throughout the Participatory Action Research Process. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Online. May 16, 2025.

Strohacker K., Ibrahim, A. H., John J. M., Beaumont C. T., Blanton J. E., Coe D. P. Regular and nonregular exercisers’ engagement with person-adaptive exercise programming: Exploring fidelity and social validity. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (2025). Accepted for Oral Presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology for Sport and Physical Activity Annual Conference, South Lake Tahoe, CA, June 2025

Ibrahim, A. H., John J. M., Beaumont C. T., Blanton J. E., Coe D. P., Strohacker K. “I’ve never had anyone listen to my story like that”: Exploring the social validity of biographical mapping as a foundation for personalized exercise programming. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology (2025) Accepted for Poster Presentation at the North American Society for the Psychology for Sport and Physical Activity Annual Conference, South Lake Tahoe, CA, June 2025

The Role of Time-Dependent Exercise in Influencing SCN Function. Emily Schmitt (PI) and William D. Todd (Co-I). R01 NIH submitted June 2025 to NIA. $1.7 million

Chrono-Exercise as an Intervention for Diet Induced Sleep Disruption. Roberts, Brandon (PI) and Emily Schmitt (Co-PI). R21 NIH submitted June 2025 to NIEHS. $250,000

A research project titled "Integrating EEG-based Functional Brain Networks and Bimanual Coordination for Enhanced Concussion Assessment" was funded by Chancellor's Research Faculty Scholars Program, Office of Research and Sponsored Program, Texas Women University, 2025-2026, amounting $8,000. Dr. Zhu served as CO-I & Research Mentor

An international program titled “UW-SUS Center: Winter Sport Educational Coaching Program” was awarded to Dr. Zhu and Dr. Smith by Shanghai University of Sport (SUS), 2025-2026, amounting to $102,444.

US Physical Education and Physical Activity Policy (US-PEPAP) Interactive Database Project. Wyoming Innovative Partnership, UW Data Hub Phase II Demonstration Projects Grant Program. $29,972.13. Budget ID: 1005365C3-70001 (Principal Investigator: Ben Kern)

Social and Emotional Learning through Unified Physical Education Professional Learning Series. Special Olympics Wyoming. $11,055. Budget ID: 24-0001-A0001 (Principal Investigator: Ben Kern)

Standards-based Assessment in Physical Education Professional Learning Series. Sweetwater County School District #1. $10,000. Budget ID: 1005497 (Principal Investigator: Ben Kern)

Healthy Kids Roundup, Wyoming Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. American Heart Association. $20,000. Budget ID: 1005421A (Principal Investigator: Ben Kern)

Project Physical Education & Least Restrictive Environment. VPR Research Incentive Seed Grant, University of Utah Research Foundation. $20,000 (Co-Principal Investigator: Ben Kern) Award #10060645.

Initiating the Wyoming Physical Education Teaching Academy: Continuous professional development for using technology to assess K-12 student physical literacy. Wyoming Department of Education. $19,400 (Principal Investigator: Ben Kern). Contract #206384

University of Wyoming Research and Economic Development. Excellence in Research and Innovation Award. $10,000.00 (Selected Recipient: Dr. Kelly Simonton). (Accepted)

The Spectrum Institute for Teaching and Learning (SITL), Sara Ashworth Graduate Student Assistantship Scholarship & Research Award. $173,634.00 (PI: Dr. Kelly Simonton). (Submitted)

Paula-Marie M. Ferrara (Lead PI), Adam H. Ibrahim, Kelley Strohacker, Jannika M. John, and Jacob J. Capin. Former College Athletes’ Post-Sport Fitness and Exercise: A Convergent Mixed Methods Approach with Biographical Mapping. Association for Applied Sport Psychology Research Grant. Funded Requested: $5000. Submitted April 2025.

Awards & Recognition

Stephanie (Chase) Miller, 1st year Graduate student, advised by Dr. Zhu, received Distinguished Graduate Scholars awarded by UW School of Graduate Education, which provides financial aids of $61,134 to support her 2-year graduate study in DK&H

UW-SUS Joint Kinesiology Undergraduate Program in China was officially approved by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China in June 2025

2025-2026 Graduate Teaching Assistant Fellow - Angela Simonton, Ellbogen Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Wyoming. Selected to mentor Graduate Teaching Assistants across campus to help improve their pedagogical knowledge and implementation.

2025 Golden Teacher Award, Division of Kinesiology and Health, University of Wyoming. For demonstrating outstanding teaching within the unit. Awarded to Angela Simonton.

 Hollon Family Award Teaching Excellence in Off Campus Programs, 2025. Awarded to Alisa Siceloff.

ECTL Faculty Fellow - Alisa Siceloff, for New Faculty Training Program (2024-2025 and 2025-2026)

2025: Outstanding Service Award, College of Health Sciences. Awarded to Evan Johnson.

2025 “TOP PROF ” Award - The Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board University of Wyoming. Awarded to Jacob Layer.

2025, Honors College Award for Excellence in Capstone Mentorship, University of Wyoming Honors College Award for Mentorship of Honors Capstone Project, Laramie, WY. Awarded to Rachel Watson.

2025, Certificate of Appreciation for leading the 2024-25 University of Wyoming Community Engaged Faculty Institute. Awarded to Rachel Watson.