麻豆传媒

In his fourth year of study in the University of Northern Colorado鈥檚 (麻豆传媒) Sport and Exercise Science Ph.D. 鈥� Exercise Physiology Concentration program, Edwin Rodriguez is embarking on research for cancer patients.

鈥淢y dissertation research will compare a rapid breathing protocol 鈥� cyclic hyperventilation with retention 鈥� to a high-intensity interval training on heart rate variability and immune function,鈥� he said, noting the two-week study focuses on improving immune cells鈥� ability to kill cancer cells.

It鈥檚 been years in the making.

Rodriguez enrolled at Carroll University, where several of his professors were 麻豆传媒 alumni. He programmed cancer survivors鈥� exercises while interning at the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute.

He worked as an exercise physiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital before coming back to 麻豆传媒, this time as a doctoral student. His fascination with using exercise to treat chronic disease is foundational to his research.

鈥淏eing able to give back and help individuals during this time in their life when they are dealing with cancer is important and fulfilling,鈥� he said.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) employs quick, intense bursts of exercise followed by short, active recovery periods. His work with cancer patients demonstrated the importance of exercise, which also is backed up by the . Still, he wondered if guided breathing could be an effective alternative for those unable to do HIIT.

As Rodriguez delved into various breathing interventions, he also learned about flow cytometry, a technique for identifying and sorting cells and their components in which cells are stained with fluorescent dye for detection by laser beam illumination. Flow cytometry enables him to find and visualize natural killer cells.

鈥淭his cell population circulates in the blood looking at cells to see if they鈥檙e expressing signs of stress or distress. If cells are not acting how they should, natural killer cells kill them. I鈥檓 trying to see if we鈥檙e able to enhance the cytotoxic ability of natural killer cells in individuals who can鈥檛 perform high-intensity interval training but can do this rapid breathing intervention,鈥� Rodriguez said.

His research could guide healthcare providers鈥� recommendations to patients, and not just the Americans diagnosed with cancer every year. It鈥檚 applicable to associated with numerous disease states, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune conditions effecting nearly 125 million Americans and contributing to approximately 60% of premature deaths worldwide.

As a graduate assistant, Rodriguez teaches cardiac rehabilitation classes and conducts research. When he arrived on campus, he joined Professor Laura Stewart鈥檚 lab and became an inaugural member of the Complementary Health and Integrative Physiology Center (CHIPC), which supports physiology research.

鈥淒r. Stewart is a fantastic mentor. She鈥檚 supportive, yet she also pushes her students to become their best,鈥� he said.

Stewart is the director of CHIPC and graduate coordinator for the College of Natural and Health Sciences鈥� Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition and Dietetics. She describes Rodriguez as 鈥渄edicated, professional and kind.鈥�

鈥淲hen Eddie arrived, he had to dive into a large, externally funded study. He faced the challenge head on, and I think it helped him develop into the scientist that he is today,鈥� Stewart said.

The two meet weekly to discuss their projects, including his dissertation, which she oversees. She said Rodriguez showed initiative by dedicating several months to becoming familiar with flow cytometry, with mentorship from Associate Professor Nicholas Pullen and Assistant Professor James Haughian, both in the School of Biological Sciences.

鈥淥ur goal is to use this breath technique to determine if it could elicit immune changes similar to those induced with high-intensity interval training. If we can induce a positive immune change, it could be a great option for people who can鈥檛 exercise yet or aren鈥檛 feeling well,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat would be really valuable.鈥�

After graduation next summer, Rodriguez hopes to become a postdoctoral researcher.

鈥淢y top choice would be to look at the immune system using flow cytometry to fine tune that research method and then go into academia,鈥� Rodriguez said.