INFORMATION FOR
Major: Exercise Physiology, Class of 2019
My interest in exercise science and training goes back to the early days in my hometown in Turkey. Growing up, I played a lot of basketball. In addition to being an enjoyable activity, it taught me discipline, focus, and teamwork. I had the opportunity to practice leadership and realized my enthusiasm for teaching. As a result of devastating injury, I was forced to slow down to continue playing in the team. Nevertheless, exploring the different aspects of various sports guided me to continue my education in the Physical Education major. Throughout my time in Turkey at the University of Kastamonu, I gained applied practical knowledge of strategies, concepts, principles and tactics for movement and performance in sports. Moreover, I attended a series of seminars and earned coaching certifications in fencing, badminton and basketball. I had an opportunity to apply my theoretical and practical knowledge by working as a physical educator at three different high schools over the course of 1.5 years in order to complete my internships.
Coming to America was one of the most difficult and rewarding challenges I endured. I was not familiar with the community and was without knowledge of the language, but I was eager to learn and experience a new culture throughout the two years of opportunity I had in the United States. I met my mentor, Professor Gordon Schmidt of William Paterson University, while searching for master’s programs in exercise physiology. Thanks to his guidance, I was able to become a master student at WPU with a full scholarship. My studies in exercise science at WPU have given me a comprehensive education in different aspects of exercise physiology, including the chronic conditions and stability of physiological balance. I have also taken courses related to assistive technology, sports nutrition and adaptive sport. My passion for exercise prescription and health along with a tremendous assistance by Dr. Figueroa inspired my thesis research topic. I was conducting a research study on the determination of anaerobic threshold for heart rate percentage, and the accuracy of different types of heart rate monitors. Understanding the accuracy of physiological measurement devices is paramount when developing individualized prescriptions based on specific needs and/or goals. Thus, this research study has given me a comprehensive knowledge of individual assessment for patient. Throughout my time at WPU, I have learned extensive theoretical and practical knowledge of exercise science and chronic conditions that qualify me for pursuing my goal in variety of research activity in Exercise Science.
