U of A professor Brendon McDermott was honored last week at his alma mater, the University of Connecticut.

McDermott, an associate professor in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, received the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources Distinguished Alumni Award at a ceremony on March 29. 

The awards page cited McDermott's significant contributions to the field of exercise science and athletic training as a researcher, mentor and teacher. "Dr. McDermott takes a student-centered approach to his passionate, enthusiastic teaching. Since graduating from UConn, Dr. McDermott has maintained productive connections with other alumni to continue advancing the study of heat-related illness."

McDermott, a certified athletic trainer, has taught athletic training and exercise science courses for more than 20 years and has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications. He's a research fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and serves on UConn's Medical and Science Advisory Board for the Korey Stringer Institute. In this role, he helped establish treatment algorithms for mass participation events, like marathons.

"I am honored and humbled to be recognized for the CAHNR Distinguished Alumni Award," McDermott said. "This is a recognition that I do not take lightly, given the leading progress in medicine and science from the college within UCONN. This award is particularly special since my major adviser and mentor, Dr. Douglas Casa, as well as a former student, Dr. Robert Huggins, are also being recognized for excellence at the same event."

McDermott, a go-to expert in the field of heat illness and hydration, has spoken at more than 90 state, district and national-level meetings. He also serves his local community. McDermott has been the medical coordinator of the Hogeye Marathon in Fayetteville since he began teaching at the U of A in 2012.

McDermott attended UCONN from 2005-2009. While there, he served as a teaching and research assistant, researching thermoregulation, hydration and heat illness recognition and treatment. He also taught courses in UCONN's undergraduate athletic training program.