Tyrone Washington, an associate professor in the Exercise Science program at the U of A, was recently named a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, the most prestigious distinction within the college.

J. Larry Durstine, a past president of ACSM and one of Washington's mentors at the University of South Carolina, said, "This award is given under the strictest criteria and to only the highest qualified individuals. Dr. Washington has gained recognition for his published manuscripts in prestigious journals and his international, national and regional presentations."

Durstine, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at USC, noted that Washington has participated in science presentations with various colleagues across the country who are fellows. "The recognition as an ACSM fellow is given by his professional peers and is a strong indication regarding his present and potential future professional contributions," he said.

Washington, a member of ACSM since 2000, received his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. While there, he participated in various projects that included skeletal muscle hypertrophy, skeletal muscle atrophy, skeletal muscle regeneration and cancer cachexia. Washington's doctoral work focused on the role of Interleukin-6 during skeletal muscle hypertrophy and recovery from disuse atrophy. Previously, Washington taught Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and he oversaw the Anatomy and Physiology labs at the University of Evansville in Indiana.

Washington joined the U of A's College of Education and Health Professions in 2011 and subsequently won various awards for his research, teaching and mentorship. His research laboratory employs molecular biology techniques with in vivo and in vitro models examining muscle plasticity. He's currently examining how age-induced sarcopenic obesity and cancer cachexia alters cellular signaling within skeletal muscle.

ACSM Fellow Nic Greene, a professor and interim director of the U of A Exercise Science Research Center, has worked with Washington for many years.

"Tyrone Washington is a critical part of our exercise science faculty," he said. "His service to the program and to exercise science is nothing short of outstanding. I am proud to have called him my friend since we were both graduate students at the University of South Carolina in the early 2000s and to have been his close research collaborator since I arrived at UAF in 2013."

Greene said Washington's recognition as a fellow of the ACSM is richly deserved and has been a long time coming. "This officially recognizes Tyrone for what he is as an accomplished leader and servant-leader in our field," he said.

Washington said he is "so deeply humbled" to be recognized as a fellow of the ACSM. "Dr. Durstine instilled in us graduate students the importance of supporting not only the national ACSM but the regional chapters as well," he said. "I have been blessed to be a member of the Southeast, Midwest and now the Central States chapter of the ACSM. None of this would have been possible without the support of my lovely wife, Lynette Washington. I want to thank her as well as my wonderful children, Jeremiah, Maiesha, Lydia and Chole."

The American College of Sports Medicine advances and integrates scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.

Representing 70 sports medicine professions, and with more than 50,000 members and certified professionals from 90 countries, ACSM helps people worldwide live longer, healthier lives.