Hosted by the AHPRC (Athletic and Human Performance Research Center) and ̽»¨ÊÓƵ's COVID-19 Research Initiative, Student Research Commentaries is an outlet for ̽»¨ÊÓƵ undergraduate and graduate students to delve into health and human performance research, including topics stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, and gain experience writing research pieces.

Submit a Commentary Are you a ̽»¨ÊÓƵ student with a commentary idea? Submit a pre-proposal with your idea, and you could have the chance to have your commentary published on our site! Commentaries should line up with the missions and goals of the AHPRC.  Fill out a pre-proposal form. View an example of a pre-proposal form.  Email completed pre-proposal forms to michael.haischer@marquette.edu

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Student Commentaries

"Vitamin A: When a Neccessary Nutrient Becomes Harmful"

Alexis Biju – Undergraduate in Exercise Physiology
February 27, 2026

"Prenatal Exercise: How tStaying Active Supports a Healthier Pregnancy"

Alexandra Sorenson - Undergraduate in Exercise Physiology
November 21, 2025

"The Effects of Swimming on Bone Mineral Density "

Gabrielle Wilkinson - Undergraduate in Exercise Physiology
March 18, 2025

"The Role of Zombie Cells on Skeletal Muscle with Aging"

Joanna Lee - Undergraduate in Biomedical Sciences
April 10, 2024

"Blood Flow Restriction Training: What is it and does it work?"

Tess Birmingham – Undergraduate in Exercise Physiology
April 10, 2024

"Addressing Inequalities and Health Disparities in the African American Community"

Lilianna Buss – Undergraduate in Medical Laboratory Science
April 10, 2024

"Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines for Building Strong Bones"

Grace Tostrud – Undergraduate in Exercise Physiology
April 10, 2024

"Body Image in Elite Ballet Dancers"

Alicia Anderson
February 7, 2024

"Combatting the Obesity Epidemic: Eating Habits in College Students"

Gabriella Thomas
February 7, 2024

"Benefits of Exercise in Delaying the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease"

Alyssa Bezdek, Undergraduate Student
February 7, 2024

"The Evolution of High-Tech Racing Suits in Swimming"

Alex Wintering, Undergraduate Student
September 19, 2023

"Vitamin D in Overall Health and Preventing Illness"

Aileen Horn, Undergraduate Student
January 21, 2022

"The Female Athlete Triad & Injury Risk in High Performance Athletes"

Hannah Greving, Undergraduate Student
November 29, 2021

"How to Measure Muscle and Fat in Children?"

Emily Anderson, Undergraduate Student
September 9, 2021

"Best Practice Cardiopulmonary Fitness Assessments in Children"

Sarah Lessila, Undergraduate Student
August 30, 2021

"Implementing Resistance Training Into Pediatric Exercise: Single Ventricle Populations"

Charles Rydeski, Graduate Student
August 30, 2021

"Exercise Benefits for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder"

Stephanie Jansen, Undergraduate Student
August 17, 2021

"Not Just Clumsiness -- Recognizing Developmental Coordination Disorder"

Jane Layden, Undergraduate Student
August 17, 2021

"Does Computer Modeling with an Interactive User Interface Improve Learning?" 

Davina Lettau, Undergraduate Student
June 16, 2021

"Health Disparities in Asthma Populations During the COVID-19 Pandemic"

Kaitlyn Slater, Undergraduate Student
June 2, 2021

"Age-Related Loss of Skeletal Muscle Strength and Size"

Isabell Dobrzycki, Undergraduate Student
April 28t 2021

"Ways to Improve Communication While Wearing a Mask"

Emily Olsen, Undergraduate Student
April 14, 2021

"How Has Pain Management Been Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic?"

Brianna Weibye, Graduate Student
April 9, 2021

"Exercise for Children with Communication Disorders"

Jane Layden, Undergraduate Student
April 9, 2021

"The Neurological Effects of COVID-19 on Motor Function and Performance"

Parinita Ezhilarasan, Undergraduate Student
September 3, 2020

"Who is Wearing a Mask to Curb the Spread of COVID-19?
Part III: The Impact of Mask Mandates"

David Wrucke, Undergraduate Student; Meggie Rose Hart, Undergraduate Student; Gretchen Zirgaitis, Undergraduate Student
September 3, 2020

"The Implementation of Campus Contact Tracing to Track COVID-19 Cases"

Parinita Ezhilarasan, Undergraduate Student
August 24, 2020

"Who is Wearing a Mask to Curb the Spread of COVID-19?
Part II: Locational Differences in Mask Wearing"

David Wrucke, Undergraduate Student; Lauren Opielinski, M.S.
August 12, 2020

"Who is Wearing a Mask to Curb the Spread of COVID-19?
Part I: Age and Gender Differences in Mask Wearing"

Meggie Rose Hart, Undergraduate Student; Lauren Opielinski, M.S.
August 3, 2020

"The Rise of Food Insecure Students during the COVID-19 Crisis"

Rachel Beilfuss, Graduate Student
July 31, 2020

"Safety Considerations While Exercising during COVID-19" 

Rachel Beilfuss, Graduate Student; Gretchen Zirgaitis, Undergraduate Student
July 21, 2020

"Physical Activity Patterns and the Way the World Moves Alters during Stay at Home Orders"

Gretchen Zirgaitis, Undergraduate Student; Rachel Beilfuss, Graduate Student
July 9, 2020

"Coping with Grief in the Time of COVID-19"

Kat R. McConnell, Graduate Student
July 9, 2020

"Does Mask-Wearing Make a Difference in the Spread of COVID-19?"

Michael Haischer, Graduate Student & AHPRC Lab Manager
June 3, 2020