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Connecting on the Daily Dose w/ Dr. James Navalta

Dr. James Navalta was my third and final committee chair during my turbulent PhD process at UNLV in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program. Thanks, in no small part, to James’ efforts, I graduated in the fall of 2022. This journey is largely documented in the new film, Boys of Summer: Third Base (www.bosmovie.com).

Associate Professor James Navalta joined the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences in the fall of 2012. Navalta teaches anatomical kinesiology and applied Exercise physiology within the undergraduate program and evaluation of physical work capacity and advanced exercise physiology within the graduate program.

Navalta’s research focuses on the physiological responses to outdoor exercise (such as hiking and trail running) and the validity and reliability of wearable Technology. Navalta earned his bachelor’s degree in physical Education and biology from Brigham Young University – Hawaii, his master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and his doctoral degree in exercise physiology from Purdue University. His previous teaching experience was at Southern Arkansas University and Western Kentucky University. He is the co-founder and executive editor of the International Journal of Exercise Science. He is also on the editorial boards of Frontiers in Digital Health; Technologies; and Exercise, Sport, and Movement.

For more – read this excellent article "the Reluctant Professor": https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/reluctant-professor

Robert Cochrane, PhD Yes, And...eXercise!

Dr. Robert Cochrane is a graduate of UNLV's Integrated Health Sciences department. He's researching the effect of improvisation and storytelling on Parkinson’s disease. He received grants from the Parkinson's Foundation and support from the Davis Phinney Foundation along the way. He is a popular, unique and high energy Keynote speaker, bringing joy, optimism and practical tools for people in the PD community to thrive today.

He has a background in filmmaking, with the Artisan Entertainment release, The Playaz Court, and two Stephen King-based short films among his credits. His father, Dan, was diagnosed with PD in 2001, which shifted Robert’s artistic lens to health. He made his first documentary, the award-winning Boys of Summer in 2004. There are two follow up films in the series with the fourth film coming in 2023.

He moved his family back to Walnut Creek, CA, where he grew up. He lives there with his beautiful wife, two teenagers who are, indeed, "all that" and is a proud care partner for his amazing parents.