Dr. Sean Mullen
Associate Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Director, Exercise, Technology, and Cognition Laboratory

For over a decade, Dr. Sean Mullen has served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Kinesiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. His research bridges the fields of exercise science, cognitive neuroscience, and digital health—leveraging a social neuroscience lens to examine what motivates people to move, and how movement shapes the way we think, feel, and function.

I believe we all have the capacity to change—our behavior, our health, and our minds. My mission is to help people move more, think better, and feel more in control of their health.”

Dr. Mullen and his team focus on designing and testing innovative, evidence-based interventions that combine behavioral science, wearable technology, and cognitive training. From app-based exercise programs to sauna + fitness protocols, his work seeks to maximize the mental and physical benefits of movement—especially among populations at risk for cognitive decline or cardiovascular disease.

Recent projects explore the synergistic effects of aerobic activity and thermotherapy (e.g., sauna, steam rooms) on brain health, neurovascular function, and hypertension—leveraging cutting-edge methods to monitor autonomic nervous system responses and optimize interventions for long-term impact.

🔗 For Dr. Mullen’s CV, educational background, and media features, visit his personal website.