I believe we all have the capacity to change and I focus on exercise because of its many benefits, including enhancing the way we think and process information.

Dr. Sean Mullen is an Assistant Professor who works in the Department of Kinesiology & Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research employs a social neuroscience perspective to understand the antecedents and outcomes of regular exercise participation. For details about Dr. Mullen’s educational background and training, visit his personal website.

My goal is to develop programs that work to keep people exercising, thinking effectively, and thinking positively about exercise.

Sean is interested in developing evidence-based technologies and methods for improving exercise adherence and cognitive functioning. He is also studying mind-body training and the combined effects of aerobic exercise with adjuvant training approaches for optimizing well-being, such as thermotherapy (e.g., sauna, steam-room).

Sean is currently accepting applications from graduate students with interests in any of the following:

• Understanding mechanisms responsible for the reciprocal relationship between exercise and cognitive functioning
• Testing intervention methods that involve exercise and cognitive training (mind-body training)
• Designing research aimed at enhancing exercise adoption and maintenance
• Exploring applications of adjuvant therapies that work in harmony with exercise for the purpose of optimizing health and well-being