Kinesiology Major

Kinesiology Department Chair

Biography

Dr. Vance Tammen serves as the Chair of the Kinesiology department in the School of Health and Human Sciences. He earned a BS and Ph.D. from University of Illinois and Master of Science from Kansas State University. His research specialty is the social psychology of sport and physical activity, focused on the motivation of coaches and athletes and wellness across the lifespan. He has published numerous papers on these topics and has done thousands of hours of sport psychology service to athletes, coaches, & organizations.

Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences

Biography

Dr. Terry Olson serves as the Dean of the School of Health and Human Sciences following appointments as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and Chair of the department of Exercise and Sports Science. Dr. Olson’s educational background includes a BS from New Mexico State University and a MS and Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Olson’s current research emphasis is on self-regulation and critical thinking of pre-service teachers in physical education.

Associate Professor

Biography

Dr. Nathan Meier completed his M.S. '13 (Kinesiology: Exercise Psychology) and Ph.D. '18 (Kinesiology: Physical Activity Epidemiology) from Iowa State University. Dr. Meier has experience as project manager, recruitment coordinator, and principal investigator for numerous research studies supervising undergraduate research assistants, and masters students. He actively recruits undergraduate students to participate in and lead their own independent research. He is the coach of the CUI Judo Club, holds a 4th degree black belt and has taken students to compete nationally. Overall, he is interested in lifestyle and health, especially avoiding chronic disease, healthy aging, and health promotion.

Dr. Meier has published a number of research articles relating to the physiological responses to stress relief methods in university students, validity of consumer-based physical activity monitors, the relationship of physical activity and fitness on the development of glaucoma, validation of multiple methods of body composition measurement for screening age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and function (Sarcopenia), and the relationship between physical activity, fitness, strength and muscle mass with sarcopenia.

Dr. Meier and his wife Sarah enjoy being outdoors hiking, running, and biking and promote lifestyle as medicine through healthy choices around diet and exercise.

Faculty

Biography

Dr. Lee has taught Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, and Kinesiology courses at Concordia University Irvine since Fall 2020. Prior to Concordia, Dr. Lee was a research scientist in the Sarver Heart Center at the University of Arizona and a senior researcher at the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) in South Korea. She has a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Ewha Womans University, a Master of Education in Physical Education from Seoul National University in South Korea, and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology (Concentration in Biomechanics) from University of Calgary, Canada. Dr. Lee has published 18 original research articles in peer-reviewed journals and over 20 refereed publications in conference proceedings in Biomechanics and Physiology. She has numerous experiences in biomechanical testing of skeletal and cardiac muscles from cellular to whole body levels. Dr. Lee’s current research interest is the mechanism of the preservation of eccentric strength in older adults or aged muscle.

Dr. Lee resides in Cypress with her husband Joo and daughter Minah. They are members of the Thanksgiving Church in Buena Park and enjoy being outdoors and going to the Sea World, San Diego.

Faculty

Biography

Dr. Michael Ryan brings a unique blend of performance and rehabilitation expertise to Concordia University Irvine's kinesiology program. His professional journey spans multiple roles, including strength and conditioning coaching at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. He has also worked as an exercise physiologist in wellness settings, conducting assessments and developing tailored lifestyle interventions for various populations. His background also includes athletic training, as well as geriatric, orthopedic, and occupational rehabilitation. Together, these experiences have shaped his ability to provide holistic care across the lifespan.

Beyond his practical experience, Dr. Ryan is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC). His academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from California State University, Chico, and a Master of Science in Athletic Training from Concordia University Irvine. Dr. Ryan earned his Ph.D. from New Mexico State University, where his dissertation, An Ecological Orientation to Reducing Injury Incidence in Student Athletes, furthered his exploration of strategies to improve health outcomes in student-athlete populations.

Dr. Ryan’s research explores how pedagogical and epidemiological research can inform practice in sports and rehabilitation to improve health outcomes. Using an action research approach, he explores how to translate research literature into specific contexts. His work has been published on topics related to coaching, athlete development, and injury risk, and he has presented his findings at conferences in the U.S. and Europe.

In the classroom, Dr. Ryan emphasizes experiential learning, equipping students with the critical thinking and practical skills necessary to excel in the many disciplines of kinesiology.

Residing in Laguna Niguel with his wife, Rosemary, Dr. Ryan enjoys surfing, grappling sports, and playing music in his leisure time.