Astrid Mel
- Associate Professor and Program Director, Exercise Science
Astrid Mel is Program Director and Assistant Professor of Exercise Science at Mercy University. She is responsible for planning and implementing program initiatives, including the development of a state-of-the-art lab for teaching and research, developing, teaching and supervising curricular activities within the program and serving on committees such as Faculty Senate. She is also the Faculty Athletic Liaison on campus. Dr. Mel is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Sports Nutritionist from the International Society of Sports Nutrition, a Certified Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine, and holds a National Coaching Diploma from the National Soccer Collegiate Athletic Association.
Dr. Mel earned her Masters degree in Advanced Level Coaching from Springfield College and her thesis explored gender differences in soccer officiating. She earned her Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, also from Springfield College, where she studied the effects of hydration status on soccer performance in female intercollegiate athletes. Prior to her current position, Dr. Mel served as Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Health and Exercise Science at Methodist University (Fayetteville, NC), Lab Coordinator, Instructor of Exercise Physiology and Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at Springfield College (Springfield, MA), Instructor of Physical Education, Head Soccer/Head Lacrosse Coach at Sweet Briar College (Sweet Briar, VA) and Assistant Soccer and Lacrosse Coach at William Smith College (Geneva, NY). Dr Mel played semi-professional soccer in the W-League with the Rochester Ravens (Rochester, NY) and the Laval Dynamites, as team captain (Montreal, Canada).
PhD-Exercise Physiology, Springfield College (Springfield, MA)
M.S.-Advanced Level Coaching. Springfield College (Springfield, MA)
B.A.-Leisure Studies Specialization, Sociology Minor, Outdoor Education Certificate, Concordia University (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Research interests include environmental physiology, injury prevention, improving quality of life through exercise and pedagogy in Exercise Science. Current projects include:
- Exercise Habits before, during and after the COVID-19 Pause
- Live Stronger Move Better: Assessing an Indoor Cycling Protocol in Reducing Parkinson’s Symptoms
- The Impact of Fitness and Biomechanical Screenings with Preventative Interventions on the Prevalence of ACL Injuries in Collegiate Student-Athletes
Dr Mel teaches EXSC 110 Foundations of Exercise Science & Health, EXSC 230 Applied Motor Learning, EXSC 460/460A Exercise Physiology and EXSC 385 Strength and Conditioning.
Stenson, Mary C., Mel, Astrid (2020). “Physical Activity Changes During the Spring 2020 COVID-19 Shutdown in the United States.” Abstract presented as a Poster presentation. October 2020 APS-IPE.
Davitt, Patrick M.; Hartman, Troy; Estremera, Steven; Barone, Phil; Grassano, Jillian; Muy, Gregory; Akers-Goodwin, Olivia; Marrero, Andrew; Mel, Astrid. Moderate-vigorous Intensity Run Vs. Walk On Hemodynamics, Metabolism And Perception Of Effort, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: May 2018 - Volume 50 - Issue 5S - p 468-469 doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000536621.18283.e1
Hyland, Nannette: Mel, Astrid (2017). “Student-Centered Interprofessional Education: Reaching Beyond Traditional Academic Disciplines”. Abstract accepted as a Poster presentation February, 2018 APTA Meeting, APTA New Orleans, LA
Mel, Astrid E.; Anderson, Tiffany; Battista, Kate; Mathews, Tracey; Gibson, John; Paolone, Vincent FACSM Soccer Skill Performance And Hydration Level in Female Intercollegiate Soccer Players: 2667Board #61 May 29 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: May 2009 - Volume 41 - Issue 5 - p 422 doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000355832.08831.f3
M. Blegen and A. Mel. “Daily nutrient needs and intakes of NCAA Division III athletes.” Presented at the International Society of Sports Nutrition Conference, Las Vegas, NV, June, 2007.
Blegen, Mark; Dorian, Trevor; Schroeder, Kristin; Fogarty, Tracey; Mel, Astrid; Jones, Margaret T. FACSM The Influence of Massage on Pre- and Post-Exercise Soreness Perception: Board #123 June 2 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: May 2007 - Volume 39 - Issue 5 - p S487 doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000274935.84604.20
Dorian, Trevor; Schroeder, Kristin; Fogarty, Tracey; Mel, Astrid; Jones, Margaret T. FACSM; Blegen, Mark The Influence of Massage on Pre- and Post-Exercise Flexibility: Board #124 June 2 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: May 2007 - Volume 39 - Issue 5 - p S487 doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000274936.92228.12
Awards
2018 - Mercy University Mavie Award for Outstanding Faculty
2014 - Ann Grow Friends of Athletics Award, Mercy University
2013 - East Coast Conference Faculty Appreciation Award
Grants / Funding proposals
2019 - Rainwater Charitable Foundation. Mel, Astrid, Hyland Nanette. “Live Stronger, Move Better: Assessing an Indoor Cycling Protocol in Reducing Parkinson’s Symptoms.” IRB Approved research ($18 000).
2019 - Faculty Development Grant, Mercy University. Mel, Astrid, Hyland, Nanette. “Live Stronger, Move Better: Assessing an Indoor Cycling Protocol in Reducing Parkinson’s Symptoms.” IRB Approved research ($4,185.00).
2019 - Faculty Senate Micro-Grant, Mercy University. Mel, Astrid, Murphy, Allison. “Visit to BOUNDLESS Adventures in Purchase, New York”. Funding for a student-faculty activity to encourage collaboration, outside of the classroom setting. ($2,050.00).
2017 - Faculty Senate Micro-Grant, Mercy University. Davitt, Patrick, Williams, Allison, Mel, Astrid. “Adventure Ropes Course for Collaborative Team Building”. Funding for an activity to increase faculty-student social interaction outside of the classroom setting ($3595).
2015 - Micro-grant for Teaching Innovation, Mercy University. Hyland, Nanette, Mel, Astrid. “Bridging the gap between the classroom and practice: Preparing the students for the real world.” Interdisciplinary project that blends graduate and undergraduate students in a collaborative learning environment enhancing student success ($3000).
2014 - Faculty Development Grant, Mercy University. Davitt, Patrick, Mel, Astrid. “The Effect of Isoenergetic, Isointensive Endurance Exercise on Postprandial Metabolism.” Funding to support a collaborative research project ($3000).
2011 - Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions-Career Opportunities in research RIMI-COR, Mercy University. Beverly, Nancy, Mel, Astrid. Proposal to purchase motion analysis software ($11 900).