Contact

Ayland Letsinger, Ph.D., Lab Director

Email: Ayland.Letsinger@Austin.UTexas.edu

Kinesiology & Health Education
Exercise Physiology
2109 San Jacinto, Bellmont Hall 200
Austin, TX 78712

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Research Methods & Partnerships

Our lab is happy to partner with others to advance physical activity related research. We offer expertise in the following methods and are happy to assist with grants, publications, advocacy, or outreach.

Rodent

Diversity Outbred mice, free access wheel running, restricted access wheel running, forced treadmill exercise, treadmill exhaustion tests, wire hang strength tests, home cage activity, rotarod motor function, open field exploration/anxiety, intracranial AAV injections, intracranial cannula implantations, fiber photometry, chemogenetics, nutrition interventions, microbiome modifications, tissue removal, machine learning tools (e.g., DeepLabCut, SimBA, B-SOID), other gene therapies.

We will use the Tecniplast DIGILAB | DVC® GYM 500 to monitor wheel running and cage activity of your favorite mouse model/intervention.

Human

Accelerometer monitoring, health activity questionnaires, maximal performance testing, and strength/endurance/mobility/stability training programs.

Previous Publications & Collaborations Include:

  • Cancer/Oncology
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Addiction/Compulsion
  • Neurotransmitters/Neuromodulators
  • Dopamine/Acetylcholine/Endocannabinoids
  • Nutrition/Caloric Intake
  • Metabolism/Metabolites
  • Body Composition/Lean Mass/Fat Mass
  • Microbiota/Microbiome
  • Bone Strength/Osteoporosis

What You Can Expect

  • 1

    Mentorship and Professional Development

    Regular one-on-one meetings (bi-weekly for graduate students and ad libitum for undergraduates) and bi-weekly lab gatherings (1st and 3rd for all members and 2nd and 4th for all graduate students) to discuss project updates, professional growth, and scientific discoveries.

  • 2

    Opportunities for Innovation

    Engage in cutting-edge research using advanced molecular, genetic, and neuroscientific techniques. Contribute to high-quality publications and presentations.

  • 3

    Inclusive and Respectful Culture

    We prioritize clear communication and professionalism. Your ideas and contributions are valued, and we strive to foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing and collaborating.

PAM Lab Philosophy

Growth Mindset

No matter your background or experience level, if you are eager to learn and contribute, you will find a welcoming place here. Members who are open to feedback, find learning intrinsically satisfying, and are proactive problem-solvers will achieve the most!

Independence and Collaboration

You will have the freedom to explore your novel ideas with the support and guidance of our collaborative team.

Work-Life Balance

We promote efficiency and time management to ensure you can excel professionally while enjoying life outside the lab.

Join the PAM Lab

If you are interested in uncovering the biological drivers of physical activity motivation and want to be part of a team committed to turning intentions into enjoyable, lasting habits, we encourage you to apply. Together, we will work toward developing effective therapies that promote health and wellness for individuals and communities.

Please email the Lab Director (ayland.letsinger@austin.utexas.edu) with:

  • Your CV or resume
  • Any questions you have
  • Brief responses (1-3 sentences) to the specific questions below based on your role
  1. What degree program are you currently enrolled in, and how many years do you have left?
  2. What are your career goals?
  3. Why does the PAM Lab research mission resonate with you?
  4. What do you want to do in the PAM Lab and why? (e.g., shadow graduate student, do hands on animal/human/data analysis work, present a scientific poster, generate a first author publication, test a hypothesis, etc.)
  5. What unique perspectives or skills will you bring to our team?
  6. How many hours per week are you willing to contribute to lab work?
  7. Do you want to take official research credits? Click here to learn more.
  1. Which degree program (MS, MEd, or PhD) are you interested in and why?
  2. What hypotheses related to the PAM Lab are you interested in studying? (This can change, of course).
  3. What techniques/expertise do you hope to learn?
  4. What techniques/expertise do you bring to our team?
  1. What hypotheses related to the PAM Lab are you interested in studying? (This can change, of course)
  2. What techniques/expertise do you hope to learn?
  3. What techniques/expertise do you bring to our team?
  1. What hypotheses related to the PAM Lab are you interested in studying? (This can change, of course)
  2. What techniques/expertise do you hope to learn?
  3. What techniques/expertise do you bring to our team?
  4. What is your ideal vision for your role in our lab?
  5. What are your salary expectations?