People
Research Interests
I investigate the effects of physical activity and exercise on our immune systems. My goal is to use this knowledge to modulate our immune systems to promote health. Using both basic and translational approaches, my research investigates how exercise improves diseases and conditions associated with immune dysregulation, such as cancer, addiction, and age-related declines in immunity. My research also asks if infection history influences the relationship between exercise and immune health. By furthering our understanding of the immune system, this research will improve the quality of life of patients suffering from cancer and inflammation-related diseases.
Recent Publications and Research Activity
Gupta, P., Hodgman, C.F., Schadler, K.L., LaVoy, E.C. (2022) Effect of exercise on pancreatic cancer patients during treatment: A scoping review of the literature. Supportive Care in Cancer in-press
Markofski, M.M., Jennings, K., Hodgman, C.F., Warren, V.E., LaVoy, E.C. (2021) Physical activity during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is linked to better mood and emotion. Stress & Health https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.3111
Elzayat, M.T., Markofski, M.M., Simpson, R.J., Laughlin, M. LaVoy, E. (2021) No effect of acute eccentric resistance exercise on immune responses to Influenza vaccination in older adults: a randomized control trial. Frontiers in Physiology https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.713183
Reesor-Oyer, L., Murillo, R., LaVoy, E.C., O’Connor, D.P., Liu, Y., Hernandez, D.C. (2021) The role of leisure time physical activity and sedentary behavior in the income-overweight/obesity relationship. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063127
Graff, R., Jennings, K., Davies, N., Carrillo, A., LaVoy, E.C., Ryan, E.J., Markofski, M. (2021) A short-term paleolithic dietary intervention does not alter adipokines linked to adiposity. International Journal of Exercise Science https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol14/iss2/3
LaVoy, E.C., Palmer, C.A., So, C., Alfano, C.A. (2020) Bidrectional relationships between sleep and biomarkers of stress and immunity in youth. International Journal of Psychophysiology https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.10.010
Kunz, H.E., Agha, N.H., LaVoy, E.C., Hussain, M., Smith, K.A., Mylabathula, P., Diak, D., Baker, F.L., O'Connor, D. P., Bond, R.A., Katsanis, E., Bollard, C.M. Simpson, R.J. (2020) The effects of β1 and β1+2 adrenergic receptor blockade on the exercise-induced mobilization and ex vivo expansion of virus-specific T-cells: implications for cellular therapy and the anti-viral immune effects of exercise. Cell Stress and Chaperones https://doi.org/10.1007/s12192-020-01136-7
Serajian, A., Nourshahi, M., LaVoy, E.C., Eliaspour, D., Rajabi, H., and Zekri Kondalaji, R. (2020) Effect of a 4-week fish oil supplementation on neuromuscular performance after exhaustive exercise in young healthy men. Comparative Exercise Physiology https://doi.org/10.3920/CEP200011
Lee, J., Hong, J. Umetani, M., LaVoy, E.C., Kim, J., Park, Y. (2020) Vascular protection by exercise in obesity: inflammasome-associated mechanisms. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000002419
Markofski, M., Jennings, K., Dolan, C.T., Davies, N., LaVoy, E.C., Ryan, E., Carrillo, A. (2019) Single-arm eight-week ad libitum self-prepared Paleo diet reduces cardiometabolic disease risk factors in overweight adults. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827619866157
Education
B.S. in Biology at Northern Michigan University, 2005
M.S. in Biology at Northern Michigan University, 2008
Ph.D. in Kinesiology at University of Houston, 2014