Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition - PhD

Domestically and globally, poor diet and lack of physical activity are the greatest contributors to the burden of disease and mortality. Globally, obesity rates are on the rise, often alongside severe undernutrition in developing countries. Overweight and obesity, along with other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular heart disease and Type II diabetes are largely attributable to lifestyle related behaviors, including insufficient physical activity, increased sedentarism, and poor nutrition.  We also have an aging population, whereby a healthy diet and physical activity become critical to live more healthfully for longer.

The PhD in Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition (EPAN) at GWSPH has been created as an actionable program with a fundamental and deep core appreciation that both nutrition and physical activity together are powerful in fighting many of the most significant public health problems of our time.  We strive to uniquely integrate both disciplines given their unique but often have synergistic impacts on health.

This multidisciplinary program provides a rigorous educational opportunity with a curriculum grounded in science and includes the use of sound methodological approaches and innovative thinking that leads to the advancement of knowledge that can be translated into real-world health applications in the fields of physiology and nutrition. Scholars in the doctoral EPAN program will have the opportunity to more fully integrate or specialize their focus in exercise physiology or applied nutrition through their elective coursework and dissertation research.

The program further provides scholars with opportunities to focus on health from laboratory to more community-based approaches. Ongoing research includes nutritional and physical activity epidemiology focused on aging and cancer, physiological and metabolic adaptations to dietary factors and exercise, chronic disease prevention and management, physical activity and dietary interventions, and community-based programs and interventions focused on physical activity and nutrition in children and youth. The program takes advantage of the strengths of the GW academic environment, including wet labs, applied nutrition and physiology labs, along with our location in Washington, D.C., where students and faculty have the opportunity to translate knowledge into real-world impact. 

GWSPH Doctoral programs admit students for the Fall term each academic year. Applications will be accepted beginning in August and are due no later than December 1st for the next matriculating cohort beginning in the following Fall term.  Find GWSPH graduate admissions information here.

GWSPH is committed to support the highest standards and practices of diversity and inclusion in all of our processes, systems and interactions throughout the application and student experience.  

The PhD program will accept students every year.  Applications will be accepted beginning mid-August and are due no later than December 1st. Applications will be reviewed following the December 1st deadline and those applicants selected for an in-person interview (video conference if remote) can expect to be contacted no later than mid-February.

Our admissions process and requirements:

• Master's Degree from accredited graduate program is required
  • Applicants with a graduate degree in exercise science, nutrition, public health, or a related discipline will be highly encouraged; however any major is acceptable as long as applicants show requisite knowledge and skills
• Typically an A average in graduate coursework 
• International students must provide language test results from the TOEFL or IELTS that are no more than 2 years old if they have not received a post-secondary degree from a US institution
• Letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Interview

Prerequisite expectations (what we are looking for):

• General Biology and Chemistry (with labs)
• Human or mammalian physiology 
• Graduate level statistics or biostatistics course is a required prerequisite

Highly Preferred:

• Biochemistry (this will be discussed with student's research mentor prior to admission)
• Exercise Physiology and/or Nutrition Science
• Strong GRE score taken within 5 years of the matriculation date

In addition, we will thoroughly examine the research background of our applicants and give preference to students who have worked on research teams/laboratories or otherwise demonstrated research interest and aptitude. 

PhD students will contribute to timely and important research questions grounded in rigorous methods spanning laboratory science and community-based methods, quantitative and qualitative analyses, effective communications to the scientific community, students and general public, ultimately concluding with scientific publications in their area of expertise.

Our faculty at the Milken Institute School of Public Health are involved in a national profile of strategic research and serve as mentors to students across departments based on areas of specialized interest. These key faculty in the Exercise and Nutrition Sciences department will be directly associated with the PhD, Exercise Physiology and Applied Nutrition program:

Dr. Jennifer Sacheck, Program Director

Dr. Matthew Barberio

Dr. Loretta DiPietro

Dr. Karina Lora

Dr. Kim Robien

Dr. Emily Smith

Dr. Allison Sylvetsky

Dr. Sameera Talegawkar

Dr. Amanda Visek