Cardiovascular Health and Respiratory Training Study
Get To Know Our Research Team
E. Fiona Bailey, PhD
Professor, BIO5 Institute Professor, Evelyn F Mcknight Brain Institute Professor, Physiology Professor, Speech/Language and Hearing, Chair of the Physiological Science Program Committee.
Dr. E. Fiona Bailey is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Physiology in the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine. She is a respiratory neurophysiologist with 20+ years experience.
Dr. Bailey’s research emphasis is the neural control of breathing in human and nonhuman mammals with particular emphasis and interest in nervous system control of upper airway muscle activities in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Beginning in 2013, her laboratory implemented a novel format of physical training known as inspiratory muscle strength training with the objective of assessing its effects on sleep, blood pressure, and respiratory muscle strength. This line of research was conducted in healthy young adults however, outcomes from preliminary studies showed promising reductions in blood pressure with just 5 minutes inspiratory muscle strength training per day. In recent years, her research interest shifted to sleep and breathing in older adults, especially those with mild, moderate or severe sleep apnea and the potential benefits of inspiratory muscle strength training as an inexpensive, effective and safe means of lowering blood pressure in adults who may be intolerant of CPAP and/or conventional exercise regimens.
In addition to her research endeavors, Dr. Bailey teaches within the large (~2300 student) undergraduate program in Physiology and Medical Sciences and oversees the training of undergraduate students, graduate and post-doctoral fellows. Currently, she serves as Chair of the Physiological Sciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Program.
In her spare time, Dr. Bailey enjoys reading, crosswords, going for walks with her dog Trevor and riding her bike up Mt Lemmon.
(520) 626-8299
Dallin Tavoian, PhD
Post-doctoral Research Associate
T32 Interdisciplinary
Cardiovascular Research Fellow
Dr. Dallin Tavoian is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Physiology at the University of Arizona. His research interests include the integration of cardiovascular, respiratory, and muscular physiology with exercise for the enhancement of physical function and independence in older adults. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and twin daughters, reading, and gaming. He also enjoys physical activity in a variety of forms, including racquetball, spike ball, softball, skiing, jiu-jitsu, golf, bowling, cycling, and water sports.
(520) 626-0836
Josie Mazzone, MS
Graduate Research Assistant
Josie Mazzone is a Doctoral student in the Physiological Sciences PhD program here at the University of Arizona. She is originally from Rapid City, SD and completed her undergraduate degree at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN as well as her master's degree at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI.
Josie helps run our morning and afternoon visits but mainly assists in blood processing. Outside of the lab favorite hobbies include soccer, jigsaw puzzles, and hanging out with her pets.
(520)626-0836
Kennedy Claud, BSHS
Research Technician
Kennedy Claud has a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in Physiology and Medical Science from the University of Arizona. She is currently getting ready to apply to graduate school but hopes to receive her PhD and continue a career in clinical research.
In the lab, Kennedy manages a majority of the initial participant enrollment aspects of the study and other administrative tasks. In her free time, you can find her skiing, cycling, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, or pretty much anything outside.
(520) 626-0836
Alyssa Magee, BS
Research Technician
Alyssa Magee is a Clinical Research Technician in the Department of Physiology at the University of Arizona's College of Medicine. She is from Avondale, Arizona. Alyssa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona.
In the lab, she performs our PWV/FMD measures and manages the tasks for our enrolled participants. She plans to attend medical school and continue her involvement in research. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys reading, camping, practicing Krav Maga, and caring for her plants.
(520) 626-0836
Nolan Dunn, BSHS
Masters Student
Nolan is currently receiving his Masters in Physiological Sciences here at the University of Arizona with an area of interest in cardiovascular health and the impact of blood flow shear pattern. He previously graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in Physiology. Nolan hopes to attend medical school in the near future.
When Nolan isn't in class or teaching Anatomy and Physiology lab, he helps the Bailey Lab run our afternoon training appointments. In his free time, Nolan enjoys spending time at the gym, hiking, or hanging out with friends.
(520) 626-0836
Robyn Almario
Research Technician
Robyn is a current undergraduate student majoring in Public Health with an emphasis in Quantitative Methods and a minor in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona who hopes to obtain her PhD and pursue a career in research.
She aids in the assessment visits within our study and is currently training to perform our FMD/PWV measures. In her free time, you can find her baking and cooking or watching musicals!
(520) 626-0836
Collaborators at University of Colorado Boulder
Dr. Douglas Seals
Professor • CU Distinguished Professor
INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
Daniel Craighead, PhD
Assistant Research Professor • Integrative Physiology of Aging Lab
INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY