COLLEGE STATION, Jan. 17, 2013 – Texas A&M University-- specifically its Department of Health & Kinesiology (HLKN) – has been named the “most visible research institution” during the last 20 years by the Research Consortium of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
In support of researchers, AAHPERD hosts an annual national convention at which peer-reviewed research findings are presented. Since 1992, the organization’s officials have kept track of the frequency of research abstracts published in the Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport by faculty at the top 20 high-visibility research institutions in America.
They report that from 1992 through 2011, the Department of Health & Kinesiology at Texas A&M had more than 200 research abstracts published – more than any of the top 20 high-visibility institutions.
Ping Xiang, a Texas A&M professor in the HLKN department, ranked fourth on the list of high-visibility researchers with 58 publications.
“Perhaps the biggest impact this recognition has on the department is that it reinforces the view that HLKN provides an environment that supports its faculty to become leading researchers in their respective fields,” Xiang said.
George Cunningham, associate dean for academic affairs and sport management professor, ranked ninth on the list.
“HLKN has long had a commitment to engaging in meaningful scholarship that impacts the discipline and societal members. The results of this study really show the fruits of our labor and that the work in which we engage can meaningfully impact people's health and well-being,” Cunningham said.
“The recognition will further strengthen the visibility of HLKN in the field of health, physical activity, and exercise sciences, which in turn will contribute to attracting outstanding graduate students,” Xiang added.
Texas A&M was followed by Ohio State, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Wayne State and Louisiana State University.
