Students travel with Lara Carlson to U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Environmental physiology students Erin McGeggen, Michelle Reidy, Kaylee LeCavalier, Jonathan Lester, Jordan Drouin, Paige Driver, and Alison Stanley, along with Lara Carlson, DPE., F.A.C.S.M., C.S.C.S.  , assistant professor in the Department of Applied Exercise Science, traveled to Natick, Massachusetts to visit the United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM).

USARIEM is internationally recognized as the Department of Defense’s premier institution for Warfighter health and performance research and focuses on environmental medicine, physiology, physical and cognitive performance, and nutrition research. The USARIEM has five divisions: Biophysics and Biomedical Modeling, Military Nutrition, Military Performance, Thermal and Mountain Medicine, and Research Support.

USARIEM's mission is to optimize warfighter health and performance through medical research.  The institute studies how to sustain and enhance physical and cognitive performance and to minimize medical problems associated with military operations at environmental extremes, such as heat, cold and high altitude.  Additionally, research supports military material developers of clothing, equipment, food and pharmaceuticals.

Carlson and students met with Robert Kenefick, Ph.D., Research Physiologist in the Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division. Kenefick showed the group several environmental laboratories, including two climatic rooms and hypobaric chambers. UNE students were able to get a glimpse of some data collections.

USARIEM also has a laboratory at Pikes Peak in Colorado.

Carlson and Kenefick have collaborated on several manuscripts together.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.