Brendon McDermott, a professor of exercise science and athletic training in the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, recently received the Tony A. Mobley International Distinguished Alumni Award.

The Indiana University Bloomington award is presented annually to a public health alum "who has demonstrated outstanding personal and professional achievements in fostering the broad missions of public health." The award is named in honor of Dr. Tony Mobley, who served as dean of the school from 1976 to 2002.

McDermott, a certified athletic trainer, has taught athletic training and exercise science courses for nearly 25 years. He's the director of the Heat & Hydration Optimization (H2O) Lab in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation at the U of A. McDermott is a leading researcher in thermoregulation and has helped treat more than 125 heat stroke survivors. He's also a staunch advocate for the improved safety of athletes, industrial workers and emergency medicine personnel.

After earning a master's degree in kinesiology at Indiana, he earned a Ph.D. in exercise science at the University of Connecticut. Prior to joining the U of A in 2012, he was a faculty member at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. McDermott has published more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered more than 100 professional presentations on topics related to his research expertise. He's on the Journal of Athletic Training and Nutrients editorial boards, is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, and received the 2022 Outstanding Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA).

McDermott serves on the University of Connecticut's Medical and Science Advisory Board for the Korey Stringer Institute. In this role, he has helped establish treatment algorithms for mass participation events, like marathons. He and U of A athletic training students have served on the medical team for the Boston Marathon multiple times.