Jeffrey Woods, Ph.D.

• Associate Professor
• Department of Kinesiology and Community Health
• College of Applied Health Sciences
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Download Curriculum Vitae

• Degree
• Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1992; M.S., Springfield College; B.S., UMass Amherst
• Area of Professional Interest
• Exercise physiology; Role of exercise in the modulation of immune function in the young and old. Neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying exercise and stress-induced immunomodulation.
• Research Interests
• The broad goal of our research program is to generate a public health message regarding the effects of exercise on immune function and susceptibility to disease. The current belief is that moderate exercise enhances immune function, whereas intense, prolonged exercise suppresses it. Specifically, our experiments are designed to:
  1. describe the effects of different doses of exercise on immune functioning,
  2. determine the mechanisms (i.e. central nervous, endocrine, intracellular) responsible for exercise-induced changes in immunity,
  3. define the physiological significance of exercise-induced changes in immunity in relation to disease susceptibility and progression (influenza infection and cancer), and
  4. explore the use of appropriate forms of exercise as adjunct therapy for those with deranged immune systems (e.g. elderly).
  Importantly, we use both human and animal models in our research. Currently, we are funded by the National Institute on Aging to determine the extent to which exercise training improves immune responses to vaccine in older adults. We also have several ongoing studies in mice examining the impact of exercise on the immune response and susceptibility to influenza virus, the growth and rejection of tumors, wound healing, and inflammation associated with obesity. We have found that exercise can protect mice from death due to influenza, speed wound healing, and reduce inflammation and blood vessel density in growing tumors. We believe that exercise improves health by reducing acute and chronic inflammation. Our laboratory is fully equipped with state-of-the-art tissue culture facilities, equipment for biochemical measurements, animal telemetry, molecular biology, and clinical exercise and body composition testing. We enjoy collaborations with investigators in diverse fields such as Veterinary Medicine, Psychology, Animal Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, Molecular Virology, Immunology, as well as Kinesiology.
• Awards, Academic and Professional Honors
• President of the International Society of Exercise and Immunology 2003-2005.
• Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine, 2000-present.
• PsychoNeuroImmunology Young Investigator Award, 1999.
• American College of Sports Medicine National New Investigator Award in Basic Science, 1998.
• Publications
• See curriculum vitae for list of publications, proceedings, books, and articles.
• Professional Associations and Certifications
• See curriculum vitae for professional associations and certifications.