College of Applied Health Sciences at Illinois

08/31/2026

What's your best memory from week one of the semester?

Let us know in the comments!

08/29/2026

After roughly two-and-a-half decades working and learning at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Jean Driscoll is racing toward her next challenge: retirement from the U. of I.

Soon, she’ll be fundraising for the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, but colleagues can rest assured that she will be working until the end of her appointment at Illinois on Aug. 31.

What radiates from Driscoll on the last days of her U. of I. appointment is an appreciation for her place in history, a full respect for the layers of accessibility on this campus that were fought for by trailblazers before her, on the Illinois campus and beyond.

“I try to live in this space of gratitude and try to remember that there are people, my predecessors both professionally and personally, who have laid a foundation so that I can be where I am,” she said.

Read the full story in the comments, and wish Jean all the best in her next journey.

08/27/2026

New research led by Ph.D. student Hank Huang and Assistant Professor Diego Hernandez-Saavedra of our own Department of Health and Kinesiology at Illinois.

"These findings reveal the liver as a central hub of exercise memory and highlight retraining as a powerful strategy to sustain protection against MASLD and cardiometabolic disease, even after lapses in activity."

Story: https://www.ahs.illinois.edu/study-suggests-the-liver-remembers-exercise/

For millions who’ve stepped away from exercise, getting back into a routine can feel like starting from scratch. But researchers have discovered that your body may remember more than you think. 🏃🏿

A first-of-its-kind study, led by health and kinesiology Assistant Professor Diego Hernandez-Saavedra, shows the liver retains a molecular “memory” of past workouts, helping the body respond more effectively when exercise resumes.

The finding could lead to new ways of understanding — and potentially improving — metabolic health and conditions, such as fatty liver disease. It also offers an encouraging message for anyone getting back into a routine.

“Start again, and don’t be discouraged by the gap,” Hernandez-Saavedra said. “The biology suggests that your previous exercise history is not gone; it’s simply dormant.”

08/26/2026

After 35 years, Professor Steve Petruzzello is leaving the University of Illinois and the College of Applied Health Sciences the same way he built his career: putting people first.

“When I came here,” said Petruzzello—who came to what was then known as the Department of Kinesiology in 1991—“I knew I’d set up a lab, get my research started and begin teaching. I don’t think I could have ever predicted the twists and turns it would take over 35 years.”

Petruzzello, known to students as “Dr. P.” and to most others as “Steve P.,” never had a rigid vision of where his career was headed. Looking back, he believes that may have been one of his greatest strengths.

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?”

Read his farewell story in the comments.

08/25/2026

Reminder: Apply to be Assistant Director of Academic Programs for our Department of Health and Kinesiology at Illinois!

Applications are due by August 27, 2026 at 6 p.m. CST: https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/17622?c=illinois&fbclid=IwY2xjawT6waVwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVk0NjdHeWg3alZOM3BSZXFzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeq-IOrreJBUg2z21iVwE59aIABnrka3gdOK3i412vNFka8R8gM_SnLJJLu8g_aem_8BWH1V-kZ72vOi2yRjyb_w

Now hiring: Assistant Director of Academic Programs at the Department of Health and Kinesiology. 📙

The assistant director plays a key leadership role in supporting HK’s academic operations and program coordination. This is an excellent opportunity for a collaborative and strategic leader who enjoys working in a dynamic, student-centered environment.

Details:
🤝 Looking for at least 3 years of experience in education: academic operations, program administration, and/or educational initiatives.
💰️ Salary range is $65,000 to $75,000
📝 Apply by August 27, 2026 at 6 p.m. central time.

For full job description or to apply, visit the job posting: https://buff.ly/a8D3Wbh

Please share widely! Department of Health and Kinesiology at Illinois

08/25/2026

Back like we never left. 🔹🚶🔸

08/24/2026

Another 10 members of our faculty were promoted ahead of the 2026-27 schoolyear! Congratulations on all the work and accomplishment it took to get here.

Professor
🔸 Naiman Khan, Department of Health and Kinesiology at Illinois
🔹 Toni Liechty, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at Illinois
🔸 Laura Rice, health and kinesiology

Associate Professor
🔹 Mariela Fernandez, recreation, sport and tourism
🔸 Sarah Geiger, health and kinesiology
🔹 Hyojung Kang, health and kinesiology
🔸 Yannick Kluch, recreation, sport and tourism
🔹 Minakshi Raj, health and kinesiology
🔸 Wes Wilson, health and kinesiology

Teaching Associate Professor
🔹 Caitlin Clarke, health and kinesiology

08/23/2026

Shoutout to our College of AHS staff. 🗣️

08/22/2026

Welcome, Class of 2030!

Celebrating a great year ahead. 🔸🔹

08/21/2026

With all the sounds of Illini Football soon approaching, the Marching Illini need to protect their hearing more than ever. 👂🎺

That's why audiology doctoral students at the Department of Speech and Hearing Science stopped by to teach them about the importance of hearing safety ahead of another season.

The annual session takes on added significance this year as the university completes the largest main video display in college football at Gies Memorial Stadium—another powerful source of sound in an already loud environment.

“They could be exposed right now, thinking this isn’t a problem, I’m hearing just fine,” said Sadie Braun, clinical assistant professor in audiology. “And then 20, 30, 40 years from now, that noise damage can show up and cause hearing problems.”

Read more in the story in the comments below.