Sandra Hunter, PhD, FACSM
Laboratory Director
School of Kinesiology Movement Science Program Chair
Francie Kraker Goodridge Collegiate Professor of Kinesiology
Co- Director of The Michigan Center for Innovation in Women's Sports
Co-Director of Human Performance & Sport Science Center
Sandra Hunter, PhD is the Francie Kraker Goodridge Collegiate Professor of Kinesiology and Chair of Movement Science in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Dr. Hunter earned her PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Sydney, Australia and subsequently completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Colorado Boulder under the mentorship of Dr. Roger Enoka. Prior to joining the University of Michigan in 2024, Dr. Hunter served as faculty at Marquette University for 21 years.
Since 2004, she has consistently secured federal research funding and is currently the Principal Investigator on multiple R01 grants from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Her current NIA funded research focuses on the physiological mechanisms underlying muscle fatigue associated with aging and metabolic conditions such as prediabetes and diabetes, as well as the protective effects of strength training.
As an internationally recognized leader in the field of neuromuscular physiology, Dr. Hunter investigates human movement across the lifespan, with a particular emphasis on age- and sex-related differences in athletic performance. She has authored more than 180 peer-reviewed publications and was recognized in both 2023 and 2024 as being among the top 2% of the world’s most highly cited scientists. Dr. Hunter has also served on the editorial boards of several high-impact journals, including her role as Associate Editor of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise and as Editor-in-Chief of Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews.
Game Changers: A pioneering hub at the School of Kinesiology dedicated to advancing the health, performance, and holistic well-being of female athletes across all ages, sports, and ability levels.
This initiative is supported by the U-M Strategic Initiative Fund through the Look to Michigan campaign.
