Education

2018 - Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Delaware, DE.

2013 - Ph.D. in Clinical Exercise Physiology, Bangor University, Wales, UK.

2008 - M.Sc. in Exercise Rehabilitation, Bangor University, Wales, UK.

2009 - B.SC. in Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, Wales, UK.

Teaching Assignments

HPEX 440 - Chronic Disease and Exercise Management

HPEX 475 - Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

HEMS 600 - Introduction to Research Methods

HEMS 675 - Clinical Exercise Physiology

HEMS 692 - Independent Study

HEMS 797 - Directed Research Study

REMS 798 - Research in Rehabilitation and Movement Science

Research Interests

In the Cardio-Renal Physiology Lab, our research is focused on integrative physiology at the nexus of cardiovascular and renal health. We study populations currently living with or at risk of developing cardiovascular and renal diseases. We aim to identify novel treatment targets and implement interventions that may have a direct clinical impact (through improving exercise tolerance and quality of life) and a disease modifying impact (by way of preventing or slowing the progression of cardiovascular and/or renal disease). 

Select Publications

Mihalick VL, Canada J, Arena R, Abbate A, Kirkman DL. Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 2021; S0033-0620(21)00049-9.

Kirkman DL, Robinson AT, Rossman M, Seals DR, Edwards DG. The Role of the Mitochondria in Vascular Dysfunction. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2021; doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00917.2020

Kirkman DL, Bohmke N, Carbone S, Garten RS, Rodriguez-Miguelez P, Franco RL, Kidd JM, Abbate A. Exertional Fatigue in Kidney Diseases. American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology. 2021; 320:F161-F173.

Kirkman DL, Scott M, Kidd J, Macdonald JH. The effects of intradialytic exercise on hemodialysis adequacy: a systematic review. Seminars in Dialysis. 2019; 32:368-378.

Kirkman DL, Ramick M, Muth BJ, Stock JM, Pohlig RJ, Townsend RR, Edwards, DG. The Effects of aerobic exercise on vascular function in stage 3-5 Chronic Kidney Disease: A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Physiology, Renal Physiology. 2019; 316: F898-F905.

Kirkman, DL, Ramick MG, Muth BJ, Townsend RR, Edwards DG. Mitochondrial derived reactive oxygen species contribute to microvascular dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease. American Journal of Physiology, Renal Physiology. 2018; 314: F432-429.

Kirkman DL, Mullins P, Junglee NA, Kumwenda M, Jibani M, Macdonald JH. Anabolic exercise in haemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. 2014; 5:199-207.

Kirkman DL, Roberts LD, Kelm M, Wagner J, Jibani M, Macdonald JH. Interaction Between Intradialytic Exercise and Hemodialysis Adequacy. American Journal of Nephrology. 2013; 38: 475-482.

Full list of publications on PubMed.

Awards

2019 - Certificate of Distinction for Contributions as a Principal Investigator, College of Health Sciences, VCU.

2018 - Postdoctoral Poster Award, Delaware Center for Cardiovascular Health Symposium.

2017 - Travel Award, Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Program.

2016 - Travel Award, Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Program.

Grant Support (active and prior)

Title: Chronic Kidney Disease and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: The Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction (2019-2022).
Agency: American Heart Association
Role: Principal Investigator.

Title: Impact of a Low Carbohydrate Diet on Metabolic Inflexibility and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Liver Transplant Recipients (2019-2021).
Agency: VCU CTSA and CCTR Endowment Fund
Role: Co-Principal Investigator.

Title: Chronic Kidney Disease and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: The Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction (2019-2020).
Agency: VCU CTSA and CCTR Endowment Fund.
Role: Principal Investigator.

Title: The Interplay Between Adiposity and Skeletal Muscle Function in Liver Transplant Recipients (2018-2019).
Agency: VCU CTSA and CCTR Endowment Fund.
Role: Co-Principal Investigator.

Title: Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress in Chronic Kidney Disease (2017-2019).
Agency: American Heart Association
Role: Co-Investigator.