Integrative Physiology and Health Sciences (IPHS) Center
The Integrative Physiology and Health Sciences (IPHS) Center at Purdue University Northwest leads research, teaching and outreach with a proactive and holistic approach to human health.
The IPHS Center is in the newly renovated space in GYTE 3 and 5. We are happy to be serving PNW and NWI, and have several active studies and free health screening through a project sponsored by the Indiana Department of Health!
Life’s Simple 7 Lecture Series
Faculty at Purdue University Northwest’s Integrative Physiology and Health Sciences Center will lead free, educational seminars for any community member looking for ways to improve heart health. Each of the 7 seminars will cover a different topic relating to heart health and seminars will be held in Lake and LaPorte Counties.
IPHS Information
- Expand research in human health at Purdue University Northwest
- Increase extramural funding to PNW
- Improve health-related initiatives and impact to PNW and Northwest Indiana
- Provide human performance testing and dietary analysis services (future)
The IPHS Center includes the following research areas:
- Physical activity/exercise
- Autonomic regulation of blood pressure
- Sleep physiology
- Nutrition and metabolism
- Epidemiology and public health
- Sensory physiology
- Health and exercise psychology
- Service and outreach focused on the ACSM Exercise is Medicine® initiative, community health, and occupational safety.
- Studying how acute and eight-week mindfulness interventions influence blood pressure regulation (sponsored through the National Institutes of Health)
- Evaluation and Implementation of Lifestyle Changes and Life’s Simple 7 in Northwest Indiana (Sponsored by the Indiana Department of Health)
- Determining the effect of downhill running on muscle soreness and arterial stiffness in men and women (sponsored by the PNW Research Office)
- Building a lower-body negative pressure chamber used to simulate gravitational challenges or hemorrhage (sponsored by the Indiana Space Grant Consortium)
- Examining the cardiometabolic effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa tea (sponsored by the PNW Research Office)
- Please contact the IPHS Center Coordinator Grant Thivierge if you have any questions.
- Hausmann motorized tilt table
- Finapres NOVA system
- SphygmoCor CPVH pulse wave velocity system
- Two Omron HEM-907XL automated blood pressure cuffs
- University of Iowa Nerve Traffic Analysis System
- Grass Technology S48 Stimulator
- Tuttnauer ValuKlave autoclave
- Four SunTech Oscar 2 ambulatory blood pressure monitors
- Four Philips Respironics Spectrum Pro actigraphy watches
- Trackmaster TMX58 programmable treadmill
- Baseline hydraulic hand dynamometer with pressure attachments
- Baseline skinfold caliper
- Two Dell research laptops
- One Dell desktop computer with dual monitors
- Dataq Instruments 16 channel hardware and software
Research Coordinator
Research Coordinator
(219) 989-2602
Hammond Campus, NILS 209
Core Faculty
John J. Durocher, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, CSCS
Nils K. Nelson Associate Professor of Integrative Human Health
(219) 989-2625
Hammond Campus, NILS 340D
Westville Campus, DSAC 1093
Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management
(219) 989-8304
Hammond, HTMB 123
Assistant Professor of Food and Nutrition
(219) 989-2615
Hammond, HTMB 131
Assistant Professor of Integrative Human Health
Hammond Campus, NILS 340B
Assistant Professor of Nursing
(219) 989-2399
Hammond, NILS 225
News and Announcements
NWI Times: NWI’s leading killer preys on poor lifestyle choices, social barriers
NWI Times Article: “Heart disease has been the top cause of death in the Region for over 20 years; the access residents have to healthy choices is a leading reason why. “
PNW awarded $133,000 from state of Indiana for work to improve local cardiovascular health
PNW’s Integrative Physiology and Health Sciences (IPHS) Center has received a grant for $133,000 from the Indiana Department of Health (IDH), as part of the department’s Health Issues and Challenges program, for local initiatives to improve and promote cardiovascular health.
Exercise is Medicine® On Campus premieres at PNW
The EIM-OC committee scheduled speaker sessions and hands-on activities during its first ever Exercise is Medicine® Month starting April 7. More than just finding ways to be physically active, programming will incorporate lectures on diet choices, physiological changes, stress management, and sleep all as additional building blocks of proactive health.