Darryn S. Willoughby MEd, PhD

Dr. Willoughby holds B.S. and M.Ed. degrees in Physical Education from Tarleton State University and a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology with sub-emphases in Nutritional Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Texas A&M University. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), the American College of Nutrition (ACN), and the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASAP). He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Certified Sports Nutritionist through ISSN, and a Certified Exercise Physiologist through ASAP. He is also a Past-President of the ISSN. He has also been presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Society of Weight-Training Injury Specialists.

At UMHB, Dr. Willoughby is a Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Applied Research in the Physician Assistant (PA) Program where he teaches human gross anatomy and human physiology to first-year medical students. He also teaches applied and evidence-based research to PA students. He is also a Professor of Exercise Physiology and Nutrition in the School of Exercise and Sport Science where he teaches exercise physiology, exercise biochemistry, and sport nutrition courses, and is also involved in research in the Human Performance Laboratory. Presently he holds graduate faculty appointments at Baylor University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and the University of Central Florida.

Prior to UMHB, Dr. Willoughby was a Professor of Exercise and Nutritional Biochemistry and Molecular Physiology at Baylor University in Waco, TX where he taught graduate level, nutritional biochemistry, exercise physiology, exercise biochemistry, muscle physiology, and exercise endocrinology classes. He was also director of the Exercise and Biochemical Nutrition Laboratory. At Baylor, he also held secondary faculty appointments in the Departments of Biology and Biomedical Science.

Dr. Willoughby has over 150 publications in scientific peer-reviewed research journals such as Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Nutrition Research, and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. He has also authored and co-authored several book chapters on issues related to exercise and sports nutrition. He also has over 100 research-related presentations. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Nutrition and Food Engineering and the International Journal of Kinesiology and Sport Science. He is also an Associate Editor for the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.