Getting To Know Your Kinesiology Family – Faculty Spotlights

Drew Parks, Ph.D.

Where did you grow up and what activities were you involved in?
I grew up in Quincy, Illinois and was very active in sports and the arts. I played soccer and hockey prior to middle school, then began playing football and continued that into college. I also played piano, saxophone, and guitar taking lessons in each from a young age (~5 years old). From grade school through high school I was in the school bands (marching, jazz, & concert), the school choirs (concert & show choir), and was active in the school and community theatre for both plays and musicals.

What was your first job?
I started two jobs right before high school. I worked as a bagger at a grocery store (HyVee) and at a concessions stand at a local racetrack.

Where did you attend undergrad and what was your major?
St. Ambrose University – Major: Exercise Science, Minor: Biology

Where did you attend graduate school and your activities during that time?  Ph.D.?
Miami University (Ohio) – M.S. in Exercise & Health Studies: During this time taught classes in the department and worked as a research assistant on multiple research studies examining the role of physical activity on child development and academics, and also on productivity and health in the workplace.
Michigan State University – Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Cognitive & Motor Neuroscience, and a Specialization in Cognitive Science: During this time I worked in the Health Behaviors & Cognition Laboratory to examine how health behaviors can impact cognitive function and development in children with and without special needs.

What brought you to Louisiana Tech?
The department and the region. Having spent my entire academic career at universities that were very supportive, collaborative, and student driven, I was looking for something similar and Louisiana Tech had that. Additionally, the community reminds me a lot of where a grew up, with a similar support system between the university and the community, and that was very intriguing to me.

What classes do you teach at Louisiana Tech?
KINE 333: Motor Learning
KINE 403: Neural Basis of Movement
KINE 514: Quantitative Data Analysis in Kinesiology
KINE 530: Psychophysiology of Sport
KINE 537: Cognitive Kinesiology
KINE 541: Exercise Psychology

What are your research interests?
My primary research interest is in the exploration of health-related behaviors and their impact on higher-order cognitive processes during preadolescence, specifically in individuals with developmental disabilities and/or cognitive impairments.  Currently, this research includes the application of these health-related behaviors to improve cognitive and physical health, classroom performance; and to better understand their effect on the specific cognitive components equated with the neuroelectric and behavioral impairments associated with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

What organizations are you affiliated with?
North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA)
Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR)