Savanna Knight

Savanna Knight, MS

2021 - Present

Doctor of Philosophy

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama

Exercise Science and Health Promotion

Concentration: Exercise Science

Anticipated graduation date: Spring 2024

Curriculum vitae

Doctoral program of study

Originally from East Texas, I currently reside in Florence, Alabama where I am pursuing a doctoral degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion at the University of North Alabama. I am a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant in the Kinesiology Laboratory. My main research interests include topics relating to endurance running and hydration status.

Education

2021 - Present

Doctor of Philosophy

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama

Exercise Science and Health Promotion

Anticipated graduation date: Spring 2024

Curriculum vitae

Doctoral program of study

2020 - 2021

Master of Science

University of North Alabama

Florence, Alabama

Health and Human Performance

Concentration: Exercise Science

Thesis: Impact of modest proximal loading on long run performance

2016 - 2019

Bachelor of Science

Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches, Texas

Major: Kinesiology

Minor: Health Science

About

Teaching Philosophy

After spending several years as a student, I like to think I have a decent understanding of what it’s like to be on the learning side of the classroom. I’m familiar with the anxieties and intimidation that students can sometimes face when presented with new information. As an educator, I’d like to take advantage of my experiences seated in a desk and bridge the gap between student and teacher. I want to create an environment where students feel comfortable asking for more explanation on topics they haven’t quite grasped, or start discussions when information interests them. As a student I craved interaction as it helped me to fully immerse myself in what we were learning. As a teacher, I strive to present material in a manner that it excites my students and encourages them to learn more. Link to full teaching philosophy.

Teaching Experience

HPE 105 - Walk, Jog, Run (3 Credits; Primary Instructor) - Fall 2020

HPE 175 - Essentials of Healthy Living (3 Credits; Primary Instructor) - Fall 2021

Click to view teaching evaluations.

HPE 102 - Weight Training & Conditioning (3 Credits; Primary Instructor) - Spring 2022 Click to view teaching evaluations.

HPE 451 - Applied Statistics in Health and Exercise Science (3 Credits; Student Teaching Practicum) - Fall 2022

HPE 451 - Applied Statistics in Health and Exercise Science (3 Credits; Primary Instructor) - Fall 2023

HPE 360 - Intro to Fitness Testing (3 Credits; Student Teaching Practicum) - Fall 2023

HPE 360 - Intro to Fitness Testing (3 Credits; Primary Instructor) - Spring 2024

Professional Philosophy

I take pride in my work ethic and my desire to continue improving in my field. As Kinesiology is constantly advancing, I believe I should follow suit. I aim to educate and update myself on endurance running, running economy, and hydration practices in order to offer my own research contributions to the growing body of literature. Upon completion of my academic career I vow to continue my education in order to grow as a student, a lecturer, and as a professional. Link to full professional philosophy.

Diversity & Inclusion Statement

Our similarities bring us together, but our differences bring us new perspective. These new perspectives allow us to see challenges from new angles, offering new solutions. My weaknesses may be another individuals’ strengths. It is for this reason that I aim to surround myself with people different from myself, to see situations through their eyes. Further, I strive to treat others with respect and create a welcome environment for individuals to express themselves.

Speakers

Service, Professional Development, & Collaboration

Service

Undergraduate Academic Advising - Fall 2021

Assistant Advisor

Howl-O-Ween Dash 5k & 1 Mile Run - Fall 2021

Volunteer Course Director

Bad Kitty 5k and 10k Trail Race - Spring 2022

Race Co-Director & T-Shirt Designer

Human Performance Research Group - Fall 2021 – Spring 2022

Treasurer

Central High School Mock Interviews - Spring 2022

Volunteer Interviewer

First Friday UNA Day - Fall 2022

Kinesiology Representative

Preview Day - Fall 2022

Kinesiology Representative; Laboratory Tour Guide

UNA West Study Away - Summer 2022

Chaperone

UNA Collegiate Cross-Country Meet - Fall 2022

Assistant to the athletic training tent

SEACSM Annual Meeting - Spring 2023

Pacer for group run

Professional Development

IRB Panel Discussion, Fall 2021

How to be an Inclusive Educator, Spring 2022

COEHS New Faculty/GA Orientation, Spring 2023

Professional Memberships

American College of Sports Medicine

January 2020 – Present

Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

Fall 2022 - Present

Collaboration

Mitchel West Center for Social Inclusion

Informational Handout Development - Spring 2022

Volunteer Designer

National Coming Out Day - Spring 2022

Guest Speaker

Coming Out and Staying Safe - Fall 2022

Panel Member

UNA Roar For Wellness Program

Wellness Screenings - Spring 2021 - Fall 2022

Screening Staff Member

UNA Roar for Wellness Health Screening Staff

Volunteering at UNA Preview Day

Informational Handouts designed for MWCSI

UNA West Study Away

Scholarship

Research Interests: Endurance running, running economy, hydration

Accepted Manuscripts

Carder MJ, O’Neal EK, Pribyslavska V, Knight SN, Bowling LR, Scudamore EM. Retrospective and contemporary predictors of NCAA Division I cross-country performance are sex-specific. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 2023. (Ahead of print).

Dean TM, Knight SN, Robinson MA, Russell AR, O’Neal EK, and Davis BA. 24-h hydration behaviors during once versus twice per day collegiate soccer practices in hot and humid conditions. Physiology & Behavior, 2023. (Ahead of print).

O'Neal EK, Waldman HS, Knight SN, Scudamore EM, Pribyslavska V, Bowling LR, Carder MJ. Are NCAA Division I women's and men's cross-country runners competing in the same race? A physiological perspective. Journal of Sports and Games, 2023. (Ahead of print)

Davis BA, Bowling LR, Dean TM, Knight SN, Robinson MA, Russel AR, O'Neal EK. Collegiate soccer players consistently underestimate sweat losses regardless of practice sweat loss volume. MJSSM Montenegro, 2022. Link to article.

Almalki, J, Killen LG, Waldman HS, Knight SN, & O’Neal EK. Hydration and cognitive task performance in children: A systematic review. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 2022. Link to article.

Waldman HS, Bryant AR, Knight SN, Killen LG, Davis BA, Robinson MA, O'Neal EK. Assessment of metabolic flexibility by substrate oxidation responses and blood lactate in women expressing varying levels of aerobic fitness and body fat. Journal of Strength and Conditioning, 2022. Link to article.

Manuscripts in Submission Process

Knight SN, Scudamore EM, Bowling LR, Pribyslavska V. V̇O2peak60: A proposal for standardizing assessment and reporting aerobic capacity in trained female runners. (Submitted to Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise).

Manuscripts in Progress

Bowling LR, Knight SN, Waldman HS, Scudamore EM, Pribyslavska V, Carder MJ, & O’Neal EK. Consideration for using respiratory exchange ratio as a secondary confirmation marker in trained runners.

O’Neal EK, Waldman HS, Knight SN, Bowling LR, Scudamore EM. Assessments of running economy at varying percentages of individual race pace.

Lara DA, Bowling LR, Knight SN, Waldman HS, Killen LG, O'Neal EK. Influence of post-activation potentiation via acute external loading on running economy and performance. Data collection in progress

Internal and External Funding

Knight SN, Bowling LR, Carder MJ, Scudamore EM, Pribyslavska V, & O’Neal EK.VO2max observation window differences in female NCAA cross-country athletes. UNA COEHS Graduate Student Research Grant ($450.00; February, 2023: awarded).

Knight SN, Dean T, Alghamdi BA, Davis BA, Killen LG, Waldman HS, and O’Neal EK. PILOT STUDY: Impact of 2.4 kg proximal external loading on 15-km run performance in collegiate cross-country runners. UNA COEHS Graduate Student Research Grant (February 2022; $400.00: awarded).

O'Neal EK (sub award PI; PTE PI Mahadevan-Jansen A, Vanderbilt Biomedical Engineering). Raman Spectroscopy for Non-Invasive Physiological Monitoring of Hydration. Army Research Office W81XWH-20-2-0064 ($131,679.00; February 2023: awarded).

UNA Data Collection Site Coordinator

Presentations

1. Funderburg AR, Liao R, Cousart A, Elstub L, Masson L, Knight SN, Bowling LR, O’Neal EK, Mahadevan-Jansen A. Non-invasive monitoring of hydration status using Raman Spectroscopy. Military Health System Research Symposium. August 2023: Orlando, FL. Oral Presentation.

2. Knight SN, Bowling LR, Carder MJ, Scudamore EM, Pribyslavska V, & O’Neal EK. Observation window influences metabolic profile data for trained female runners during a graded exercise test. Scholars Day. April 2023: Florence, AL. Poster presentation.

3. Bowling LR, Knight SN, Carder MJ, Scudamore EM, Pribyslavska V, & O’Neal EK. Observation window influences metabolic profile data for trained male runners during a graded exercise test. Scholars Day. April 2023: Florence, AL. Poster presentation.

4. Knight SN, Bowling LR, Carder MJ, Scudamore EM, Pribyslavska V, & O’Neal EK. Observation window influences metabolic profile data for trained female runners during a graded exercise test. Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine. February 2023: Greenville, SC. Poster presentation.

5. Bowling LR, Knight SN, Carder MJ, Scudamore EM, Pribyslavska V, & O’Neal EK. Observation window influences metabolic profile data for trained male runners during a graded exercise test. Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine. February 2023: Greenville, SC. Poster presentation.

6. Knight SN. The Rundown on Stand-ups. ASAPHERD Alabama State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. November 2022; Birmingham, AL. Oral presentation.

7. Knight SN, Dean T, Alghamdi BA, Davis BA, Killen LG, Waldman HS, and O’Neal EK. Pilot Study: Impact of 2.4-kg proximal external loading on 15-km run performance in collegiate cross country-runners. Research and Reunion. October 2022: Florence, AL. Oral presentation.

8. Knight SN, Dean T, Alghamdi BA, Davis BA, Killen LG, Waldman HS, and O’Neal EK. Pilot Study: Impact of 2.4-kg proximal external loading on 15-km run performance in collegiate cross country-runners. Scholars Day. April 2022: Florence, AL. Poster presentation.

9. Knight SN and O’Neal EK. Metabolic profiles of NCAA Division I cross-country runners at competition pace. Invited Rapid Research Pre-Conference Session. Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine. February 2022: Greenville, SC. Oral presentation.

10. Knight SN, Dean T, Alghamdi BA, Davis BA, Killen LG, Waldman HS, and O’Neal EK. Pilot Study: Impact of 2.4-kg proximal external loading on 15-km run performance in collegiate cross country-runners. Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine. February 2022: Greenville, SC. Poster presentation; Finalist for Masters Research Award.

11. Alves VA, Knight SN, Dean T, Alghamdi, Davis BA, Killen LG, Waldman HS, and O’Neal EK. Pilot Study; Impact of 2.4-kg proximal external loading on 10-km run performance in recreationally competitive runners. Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine. February 2022: Greenville, SC. Poster presentation.

12. Dean TM, Knight SN, Robinson MA, Russell AR, O’Neal EK, and Davis BA. 24-h hydration behaviors during once versus twice per day collegiate soccer practices in hot and humid conditions. Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine. February 2022: Greenville, SC. Poster presentation.

13. Robinson MA, Dean TM, Knight SN, Russell AR, O’Neal EK, and Davis BA. Male collegiate soccer players underestimate sweat losses regardless of sweat loss volume. Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine. February 2022: Greenville, SC. Poster presentation.

14. O’Neal EK and Knight SN. Factors of consideration when assessing running economy. Southeastern American College of Sports Medicine. February 2022: Greenville, SC. Symposium.