Sport Science Team
We are experts in various sports science disciplines.
Prof. Jerono Rotich
Jerono P. Rotich is a professor of Kinesiology & department chair of Kinesiology & Recreation Administration at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, USA. She is CEO and Founder of WOYO (Women & Youth) Global Diversity Consulting and JVV Wellness and Safety LLC, CEO, and Founder of Kenya Students in Diaspora ( KESID) Foundation. She is the current President of the Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA) and the National Deputy Director – Department of A Promise Generation (APG) for the Kenya Christian Fellowship in America ( KCFA). She serves on the Commission of Research & Publication of ICTSG established at the 2018 UNESCO Collective Consultation on TSG,National Executive Board member of Kenya Christian Fellowship and Board of Kenya Diaspora Alliance -USA, among many other organizations. She also served as a Commissioner on the Status of Women in Guilford County, NC, USA. Dr. Rotich served as a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and is on the board of Catch Foundation, Kenya.
She is a dedicated servant leader, educator, scholar, change agent, motivational speaker, women, youth, health, and peace champion who is committed to behavior modification, spiritual and physical wellness, youth empowerment, community engagement, and international collaboration.
Prof. Rotich's work in the academe and community has not gone unnoticed. Her exemplary work has earned her many recognitions and awards that include the: 2016 recipient of the Greensboro Community Partnerships Chamber of Commerce Other Voices Change Agent Award; 2015 recipient of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teacher award; 2015 recipient of the School of Education Senior faculty teaching excellence award; 2014 recipient of the University North Carolina A&T State University Faculty Community Engagement scholarship Award;2013 recipient of the National Phi Epsilon Kappa Honors Society, Distinguished Advisor Award; Gottabgaa International Community Empowerment Award, Dallas, Texas; North Carolina Kenyan Chapter; 2012 recipient, Health and Wellness Research and community Service Award; 2014 recipient of the School of Education Advising Award and was recently voted and recognized as one of the TOP 40 Kenyan women who inspire and motivate fellow Kenyans within the Kenyan America Diaspora and the 2019 Unspoken Diaspora Heroes among many others.
In addition, she serves on the editorial board of several professional journals.
Websites;
https://jeronorotich.com/
https://woyogdc.com/kesid/
Joseph Otundo PhD.
Joseph O Otundo is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, AR. Otundo earned PhD in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, and Master's degree in Health Studies and Promotion from Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA. Otundo is a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). His primary research is pedagogy and motivation in the field of Health Education and Promotion, with a special focus on physical activity and mental health issues. Among the courses taught are Statistics in Health Education, Epidemiology, Organization and Administration of Health Education, and Personal Health. Joseph's hobbies are soccer, swimming, basketball, and tennis. If you would like to learn more about Joseph or you are interested in joint research, please feel free to contact him.
Janet M. Mmbaha-Zarlenskey PhD.
An educator and researcher dedicated to using education, physical activity, and health to impact lives and empower girls, women, youth and other disadvantaged communities around the world.
Eric Kigen PhD
Dr. Kigen is currently an educator and scholar. His primary research interests are in cardiovascular, environmental, and exercise physiology. With his background in both clinical and human performance, he has an overarching desire in investigating human response and adaptation to extreme environments, especially the heat. In addition, he is aspiring to expand his research to aging adults.
Dr. Erick Kigen was born and raised in Eldoret, Kenya. He came to the United States in his early 20s through track and cross-country scholarship. He was recruited by Belmont University, NCAA D1 college in Nashville Tennessee. He earned All-Region Academic honors, Deans list, and won OVC 800 M championship his senior year, in 2014. Dr. Kigen studied nursing at Belmont University, and it is at that point that Dr. Kigen became interested in human physiology. He took classes such as Anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and did his clinicals at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dr. Kigen did his clinicals at geriatrics, orthopedics, Palliative care, oncology, psychiatry, pediatrics, and Cardiac progressive units.
Upon completing his Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Kigen decided to follow his passion in Exercise physiology. Dr. Kigen pursued and earned a MA.Ed in Human Performance and Sports Science/Exercise Science from Tennessee State University in May 2018. In the Fall of 2018, Dr. Erick Kigen pursued a doctorate degree and earned a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance/exercise science from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), in 2023. At MTSU, Dr. Kigen worked as a Graduate teaching assistant and was involved in various research projects such as A cross-sectional study analyzing sit to stand power and functional performance in older adults at a nearby assisted living facility, and also got experience in studies using Underwater Treadmill. It was a great exposure considering his holistic approach to exercise and healthcare.
Dr. Kigen teaching philosophy is to assist students not only comprehend information but also think critically. Dr. Kigen has experience teaching undergraduate students: Exercise Prescription and program planning, Principles of Exercise Assessments in Healthy and Special Populations, Physiology of Exercise, Physiology of Exercise Laboratory, Evaluation Performance and Resistance Training, Applied Research in exercise science, First Aid & CPR-AED, and Beginners Tennis. Member: ACSM, USATF, NAKHE. Honors: Golden Key International and Gamma Beta phi.
