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Faculty & Staff
Frank Bosso, PhD
Dr. Bosso is a professor in the exercise science program. He completed his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at N.E. Ohio University College of Medicine (NEOUCOM)/Kent State University, Kent, OH, his M.S in Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University, and his undergraduate in Health and Physical Education at Slippery Rock University. He is a certified exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine as well as a Cancer Exercise Specialist and a certified Health Promotion Director.
Dr. Bosso currently teaches courses in the Exercise Science curriculum and is currently the Director of the Exercise Physiology Laboratory. He previously served as the Director of the YSU Fitness Center (1994-1996 & 2000-01).
Dr. Bosso’s research has focused on the effects of catecholamine’s and massive sympathetic activation on cardiac function using whole animal and isolated heart preparations. In addition to his scientific foci, he has contributed to a number of book chapters including ACSM’s Exercise Testing and Prescription and, along with co-author Nelsin Ng, authored Total Fitness Assessment, which is a tool that enables students to perform assessments and calculations for more than 600 physical fitness assessments.
Sara Michaliszyn, PhD
Sara Michaliszyn, PhD, is an associate professor and chairperson in the Kinesiology and Sport Science department where she has been a faculty member since 2013. Prior to her administrative position, she served as program director for the exercise science program. She has taught a variety of courses within the exercise science program as well co-teaching an interprofessional education course within a wide-variety of health professions.
Dr. Michaliszyn completed her Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh and her undergraduate studies at Youngstown State University. Her investigative foci focuses on the effects of physical activity during pregnancy and its effects on fetal outcomes as well as establishing an interdisciplinary student-driven interprofessional comprehensive healthcare clinic. She has collaborated actively with researchers in several other disciplines within the health sciences, particularly dietetics, social work, respiratory care, physical therapy, and medical assisting.
Dr. Michaliszyn has received honors within the Golden Key Honors Society and Phi Kappa Phi as well as awards in mentorship. She is currently serving on the board for the American College of Sports Medicine’s Exercise is Medicine Educational Committee and the YMCA’s Medical Advisory Committee.
Nicole Mullins, PhD
Nicole Mullins, PhD, is a professor of exercise science, in the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Science, where she has served since 2002. In her time at YSU, she has earned several distinctions for her teaching and service to students, including the Distinguished Professorship for Excellence in Teaching, the Honors College Professor of the Year, and the Student Service Award. Mullins is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), as a Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP), and by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). She has taught numerous courses at YSU, and has diverse research interests and publications, most notably in the areas of areas of sport-specific training, effects of gender socialization on physical activity, and pedagogical aspects of exercise science.
Dr. Mullins earned her PhD and MA in exercise physiology from Kent State University, and her BS in exercise science from the University of New Hampshire. At UNH, she competed in gymnastics, where she earned several Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards and where she now holds a spot in the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame. Mullins is a lifetime competitive athlete and staunch physical activity advocate, with a mission of educating as many people as possible on the essentiality of regular physical activity and sound nutrition for making the most out of life.
Michelle Van Dyke, MS
Michelle Van Dyke, MS, C.S.C.S, is a lecturer in the Kinesiology and Sport Science department where she has been a faculty member since fall of 2018. Prior to coming to YSU, she taught as an adjunct at the University of Central Florida and was a full time lecturer at Georgia Southern University in their Kinesiology department.
Ms. Van Dyke completed her master’s course work at Georgia Southern University. Her main research focus falls under the monitoring of athletes during their competitive season via the use of performance and psychological testing. Aside from her academic endeavors, Michelle has been a strength and conditioning professional for a variety of athletes and sports. Most recently, she worked under the Chinese Olympic Committee training Chinese Olympic athletes in Kunming, China. She also opened and operated a strength and conditioning facility for 3 years in Georgia. Prior to opening her gym, she served as a strength and conditioning professional at Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She also worked as an intern at Georgia Southern University and West Virginia University coaching a wide range of athletic teams.
Ms. Van Dyke graduated with honors and is currently holds her Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certificate from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She is also a CrossFit Level 2 certificate holder and a USA-W L1 sports performance coach.