Rate My Professor Laura Richardson

Laura A. Richardson is a clinical associate professor of Applied Exercise Science and Movement Science at the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology in Ann Arbor, where she also serves as associate program chair for Applied Exercise Science since 2023 and has been graduate faculty in Movement Science. She joined the University of Michigan as a lecturer in Movement Science in 2020, advancing to her current roles in 2022. Previously, she was professor of clinical instruction in Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology at The University of Akron from 2003 to 2021, clinical instructor adjunct at Temple University from 2020 to 2021, and lecturer in cardiovascular rehabilitation at University of Mount Union from 2009 to 2011. Richardson holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from The University of Akron (2016), M.S. in Exercise Physiology from The University of Akron (1997), and B.A. in Dance from The University of Akron (1996). Her extensive clinical experience includes ongoing PRN work as a clinical exercise physiologist at Summa Health System's Bariatric Center Weight Management Institute since 2003, previous roles in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and diabetes education at Summa Health System, and cardiology consulting from 1997 to 2008.

Richardson's expertise centers on clinical exercise physiology, specializing in exercise interventions for patients with immunological, metabolic, pulmonary, neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and orthopedic disorders, with particular emphasis on behavior modification for lifelong weight management in bariatric surgery patients. Her research explores obesity stigmatization, fat bias among fitness professionals, and barriers to physical activity adherence in chronic conditions. Key publications include chapters on clinical exercise testing in ACSM’s Clinical Exercise Physiology (2nd ed., 2023) and digital resources for ACSM Certification Review (6th ed., 2023); peer-reviewed articles such as "Role of the exercise professional in bariatric surgery: A multimethod analysis for evidence-based recommendations" in Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases (2024), "Clinical Exercise Physiologists in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Clinical Exercise Testing" in Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology (2023), "CEPA 2020 Clinical Exercise Physiology Practice Survey" (2022), and "Exercise Science Student Views about Implementing Physical Activity with Older Adults" (2023). She has earned the Fellowship from the Clinical Exercise Physiology Association (2024), Students’ Excellence in Teaching Award from the UMich School of Kinesiology (2022, 2023), American College of Sports Medicine Fellowship (2020), Clinical Exercise Professional of the Year from Midwest ACSM (2017), and International Donald J. Brenner Award (2017). Elected president of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Association, she advocates for the profession's recognition through national committees and holds Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification.