Graduate Research Assistant Openings
Explore current opportunities to join research teams within the Department of Kinesiology. This page highlights faculty who may be recruiting graduate research assistants—both funded and unfunded—for Spring and Fall 2026 admission. Each listing includes research focus areas and potential openings, helping you identify faculty whose work aligns with your interests and career goals.
Dr. Julie Burland, PhD, ATC, CSCS
E-mail: julie.burland@uconn.edu
Website: https://sports.institute.uconn.edu/person/julie-burland/
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0 PhD/MS Spring 2026; Unfunded positions - 0
Brief description of research: Research with Dr. Julie Burland focuses on understanding how neuromuscular recovery and psychosocial factors, such as learned helplessness, influence outcomes after ACL reconstruction. Her work integrates neuroscience, biomechanics, and rehabilitation science to develop strategies that improve joint health, functional recovery, and long-term quality of life in active populations.
Research area key words: Biomechanics, Return to Sport, ACLR, Neuromuscular Function, Quality of Life
Specific certifications/skills required:Biomechanics experience, coding (Matlab, Visual3D, Python etc).
Location(s): Storrs and Hartford.
Dr. Douglas Casa, PhD, ATC, FACSM, FNATA, FNAK
E-mail: douglas.casa@uconn.edu
Website: Douglas Casa | Korey Stringer Institute
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded position - 1 MS Spring 2026; 4 PhD or MS Fall 2026/Spring 2027; Unfunded positions - 0.
Brief description of research: Athletic Training Graduate Assistantship.
Research area key words: Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Heat Safety
Specific certifications/skills required: Athletic Training license strongly preferred but not required.
Location(s): Storrs
Dr. Cristina Colón-Semenza, PT, MPT, PhD
E-mail: cristina.colon-semenza@uconn.edu
Website: https://movelab.kins.cahnr.uconn.edu/
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 1 MS Fall 2026/Spring 2027
Brief description of research: The research will broadly focus on investigating the mechanisms of motivation for exercise and physical activity in the management of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Research area key words: Parkinson's Disease, Motivation, Behavior Change, Social Support, Apathy, Effort-Based Decision-Making, Health Equity, Mental Health, Physical Activity, Exercise, Physical Therapy, Telerehabilitation
Specific certifications/skills required: Licensed physical therapist preferred; bilingual in Spanish and English preferred
Location(s): Primary location in Storrs. Some travel to Hartford and UConn Health (Farmington) may be required.
Dr. Laurie Devaney, PT, ATC, PhD
E-mail: laurie.devaney@uconn.edu
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 0
Brief description of research: Please contact Dr. Devaney.
Research area key words: Please contact Dr. Devaney.
Specific certifications/skills required: N/A.
Location(s): Storrs and Hartford.
Dr. Lindsay DiStefano, PhD, ATC, FNATA
E-mail: lindsay.distefano@uconn.edu
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 0
Brief description of research: Please contact Dr. Distefano.
Research area key words: Please contact Dr. Distefano.
Specific certifications/skills required: N/A.
Location(s): Storrs
Dr. Jacob Earp, PhD, CSCS, USAW
E-mail: jacob.earp@uconn.edu
Website: https://kins.uconn.edu/person/jacob-earp/
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 1-2.
Brief description of research: Visit website and contact Dr. Earp for more details.
Research area key words: Aging/Sarcopenia, Athletes, Resistance Training, Tendinopathy, Muscle Injury, Muscle Quality
Specific certifications/skills required: None.
Location(s): Storrs.
Dr. Neal Glaviano, PhD, ATC
E-mail: neal.glaviano@uconn.edu
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 0.
Brief description of research: Grant funding pending to support clinical research involving a rehabilitation based clinical trial for individuals experiencing chronic kneecap pain. Dr. Glaviano's research interests include the evaluation and treatment of patellofemoral pain, optimizing lumbopelvic-hip complex function and the use of electrical stimulation to optimize muscle function following injury.
Research area key words: Patellofemoral Pain, Neuromuscular Function, Rehabilitation
Specific certifications/skills required: Previous clinical research experience recommended.
Location(s): Storrs.
Dr. Robert Huggins, PhD, LAT, ATC
E-mail: robert.huggins@uconn.edu
Website: https://koreystringer.institute.uconn.edu/
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 1 PhD Fall 2026 / 2 MS Fall 2026; Unfunded positions - 0
Brief description of research: The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating research studies conducted under the direction of Dr. Huggins at the Korey Stringer Institute. Please contact Dr. Huggins for details.
Research area key words: Occupational Heat Safety, Biomarker Monitoring for Performance, Heat Acclimatization, Hydration, Sweat Sensors
Specific certifications/skills required: PhD applicants are preferred to hold certification as an Athletic Trainer.
Location(s): Storrs and Hartford.
Dr. Jeffrey Kinsella-Shaw, PhD, DPT
E-mail: jeffrey.kinsella-shaw@uconn.edu
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 0
Brief description of research: Please contact Dr. Kinsella-Shaw.
Research area key words: Please contact Dr. Kinsella-Shaw.
Specific certifications/skills required: N/A.
Location(s): Storrs.
Dr. Oh Sung Kwon, PhD
E-mail: ohsung.kwon@uconn.edu
Website: https://kwon.lab.uconn.edu/
Programs (MS/PhD): PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded position - 1 PhD Fall 2026
Brief description of research: The Integrative Physiology Laboratory (kwon.lab.uconn.edu) at UConn investigates how aging, metabolism, and lifestyle factors influence skeletal muscle and vascular health. Our research spans molecular biology, animal models, and human clinical studies to uncover mechanisms of dysfunction and identify therapeutic strategies. Current projects focus on mitochondrial function, vascular aging, cellular senescence, and exercise or nutrition-based interventions. Graduate students receive training in advanced experimental techniques, including high-resolution respirometry, vascular function testing, and molecular assays. We seek motivated students interested in exercise physiology, muscle biology, vascular physiology, or aging research. Our lab emphasizes strong mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and preparation for careers in academia, industry, or healthcare research.
Research area key words: Mitochondria, Reactive Oxygen Species, Skeletal Muscle Physiology (Atrophy, ACL Injury, Obese), Vascular Dysfunction (Physical Inactivity, Obese), Gerontology (Aging), Senescence
Specific certifications/skills required: Basic Science skills not required but preferred (Westernblot, PCR, Histology etc), Ultrasound doppler skills.
Location(s): Storrs and UConn Health (Farmington)
Dr. Elaine Choung-Hee Lee, PhD
E-mail: elaine.c.lee@uconn.edu
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Please contact Dr. Lee for details.
Brief description of research: Please contact Dr. Lee for details.
Research area key words: Please contact Dr. Lee for details.
Specific certifications/skills required: Please contact Dr. Lee for details.
Location(s): Storrs
Dr. Linda Pescatello, PhD, FACSM, FAHA, FNAK, CPD-ACSM
E-mail: linda.pescatello@uconn.edu
Website: https://exerciseprescription.online.uconn.edu/
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 1-PhD Fall 2025/Spring 2026/Summer 2026/Fall 2027 and 1-Masters Fall 2025/Spring 2026/Summer 2026/Fall 2027; Unfunded positions - 1-Masters Fall 2025/Spring 2026/Summer 2026/Fall 2027.
Brief description of research: The Kinesiology graduate assistant will be responsible for the development of the standards of procedure for the exercise interventions, administration of the exercise assessments that include the timeline follow-back for exercise, pedometers, and accelerometers, monitoring study participants, attending laboratory meetings, and data entry, statistical analyses, and preparation of abstracts and manuscripts. The Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) Department’s Physical Activity Counselor (PAC) and Department of Kinesiology Graduate Assistant works closely with SHaW medical providers, mental health clinicians, and registered dietitians in successfully implementing the Exercise is Medicine model of healthcare where these providers refer students to the PAC for an individualized exercise program designed by the PAC. The PAC should be a certified personal trainer from any professional organization with certifications by the American College of Sports Medicine preferred.
Research area key words: Exercise Prescription, Physical Activity, Exercise is Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors, Hypertension, Substance Abuse Disorder
Specific certifications/skills required: The PAC should be a certified personal trainer from any professional organization with certifications by the American College of Sports Medicine preferred.
Location(s): Storrs.
Dr. Daniele Piscitelli, PT, PhD
E-mail: daniele.piscitelli@uconn.edu
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 0
Brief description of research: Contact Dr. Piscitelli for details.
Research area key words: Contact Dr. Piscitelli for details.
Specific certifications/skills required: Contact Dr. Piscitelli for details.
Location(s): Contact Dr. Piscitelli for details.
Dr. Stephanie M. Singe, PhD, ATC, FNATA
E-mail: stephanie.m.singe@uconn.edu
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 0
Brief description of research: Contact Dr. Singe for details.
Research area key words: Contact Dr. Singe for details.
Specific certifications/skills required: Certified Athletic Trainer
Location(s): Storrs.
Dr. Sudha Srinivasan, PT, PhD
E-mail: sudha.srinivasan@uconn.edu
Website: https://kins.uconn.edu/person/sudha-srinivasan/
Programs (MS/PhD): MS and PhD
Number of openings: Funded positions - 0; Unfunded positions - 1-2 PhD Spring 2026
Brief description of research:The REINVENT-PT lab (REhabilitation INnoVations & Emerging Novel Technologies in Physical Therapy, Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. Sudha Srinivasan) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) is seeking diligent, energetic, and empathetic students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in Kinesiology beginning Fall 2025. The REINVENT-PT lab is interested in understanding developmental trajectories of individuals with neuro-developmental disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, and Intellectual Disability across the lifespan. We are interested in studying how infants and children with developmental disabilities explore their physical and social environment compared to typically developing peers, as well as the cascading effects of motor difficulties on a child’s social communication and cognitive development. We are also interested in assessing health-related outcomes in adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities, including their physical activity and physical fitness levels. Based on our understanding of the developmental trajectories of individuals with disabilities, our goal is to develop multisystem, engaging, evidence-based, behavioral interventions and assistive technologies to empower the lives of people with disabilities. We are interested in developing motivating interventions that harness an individual’s intrinsic interests/preferences in positive ways to bring about sustained behavior change. As a graduate student, the prospective candidate will be involved in multiple related projects in the lab starting with the recently funded RCT. The student will be engaged in several aspects of the research process including preparing materials to get approval for research from the institutional review board, participant recruitment and screening, data collection and administration of standardized tests/measures with children/youth, development and delivery of novel treatment protocols, data coding and analysis, and data dissemination through manuscript writing. The student will have the opportunity to learn technical skills (e.g., motion capture techniques, accelerometery to assess arm activity, video data-based behavioral coding software, post-processing algorithms to analyze collected data, scientific presentation and writing skills, critical review of published literature, etc.) and soft skills (e.g., time management, multi-tasking, mentoring undergraduate students, etc.). The student will also be interacting on a regular basis, under the supervision of the PI, with undergraduate and graduate students working in the lab on research projects.
Research area key words: Pediatrics, Rehabilitation, Motor Interventions, Assistive Technologies
Specific certifications/skills required: Experience working with children with disabilities; Physical Therapist
Location(s): Storrs