Professor of Health and Human Performance
Bio
Dr. Dena P. Garner is a full professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. She began work at The Citadel in 2004 while completing her post-doctoral fellowship in the Department of Neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston under Dr. Narin Banik. Before her move to Charleston, she worked at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon where she received a doctoral degree in muscle physiology. She received her Master of Science from the University of South Carolina in exercise physiology and an undergraduate degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.
Degrees
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship Neurology (Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC)
- Ph.D. Muscle Physiology (Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR)
- M.S. Exercise Physiology (University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC)
- B.A. Art History and Design (Furman University, Greenville, SC)
Courses Taught
- HESS 501: Nutrition
- HESS 534: Adapted Physical Activity
- HESS 540: Research Methods
- EXSC 305 Measurement and Evaluation
- EXSC 319: Exercise Physiology
Research Interests
Dr. Garner is involved in research which encompasses testing and evaluating physiologic neuro-assessment devices in healthy versus those with concussion. Specifically, the research focused on the effects of concussion, recovery, and exercise on the blink reflex. Additionally, she has explored the effects of mouthpiece use on human performance, assessing effects on cortisol, lactate, and respiratory changes.
Notable Publications
- Garner, D. P., Sparks, P.D., Chizuk, H.M., & Haider, M.N. (2023). Effect of exertion on blink reflex parameters in Division I football athletes. Cogent Eng. 10:1,2232166
- Yengo-Kahn, A.M., Garner, D. P., Lessing, N., Blough, J., Zuckerman, S.L., & Gifford, K. (2022). Normative data for the EyeStat device in high school and collegiate athletes. Cogent Eng. 9:1, 2024971
- Garner, D. P., & Lamira, J. (2020). Respiratory outcomes with the use of a lower custom fit genioglossal-effecting oral appliance. Clin Exper Dental Res 6 (1) DOI: 10.1002/cre2.254