Alex Moore, who joins the 蜜桃传媒 faculty this fall as assistant professor of kinesiology, is no stranger to the college. Moore, a Wheaton College alumnus, was an adjunct instructor at 蜜桃传媒 for both the kinesiology and biology departments from 2004-06. He taught a wide range of classes, including anatomy, tennis, physiology, biochemistry lab and Fit for Life, a freshman wellness class.
Alex then accepted a fellowship to study at the University of Missouri, which has one of the best microcirculatory programs in the country. He left 蜜桃传媒 not knowing if a job would be open when he returned. While in Missouri, he earned his doctorate in biomedical sciences.
He returned to Westmont in fall 2010 as a sabbatical replacement in the biology department, teaching physiology, genetics and cell biology. 鈥淚t was fortuitous another position opened up 鈥� very providential,鈥� Moore says. 鈥淕od鈥檚 timing is perfect.鈥�
He began the tenure-track position this fall in the kinesiology department, teaching physiology, biomechanics and a research course.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of overlap in what I do, working with pre-health professional students,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was a kinesiology major in my undergraduate work, and it鈥檚 where my heart is. My doctorate and recent experience focused more on biology, so it鈥檚 fun to come back to kinesiology.鈥�
Moore鈥檚 research specializes in microcirculation, focusing on hair-sized arteries and the regulation of blood flow to tissue. 鈥淲e鈥檙e interested in the responsiveness of these microvessels and how they change as we age,鈥� he says. 鈥淭heir responsiveness goes down when we age, leading to ischemic conditions, which is lack of oxygen to tissue.鈥�
Moore, who ran track in high school and college, earned his master鈥檚 degree in exercise and sport science from the University of North Carolina. By teaching upper-division courses at a young age, Moore says he gained perspective. 鈥淚 want to spend my career teaching students and getting them excited about a topic they have little experience with,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he prestigious fellowship allowed me to focus on my research, but I enjoy teaching. The students are at a stage of their lives where role models can make a great impact on their lives.
鈥淢y message to students is to explore and take risks. I love when a student discovers their passion and their calling and place in God鈥檚 kingdom.鈥�
Moore met his wife, Kirsten, at 蜜桃传媒 when she was hired as head coach of 蜜桃传媒鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball team in 2005. They got married in 2008.