Chantal A. Vella, Ph.D., graduated from The University of New Mexico with a doctorate in Exercise Physiology from the Department of Health, Exercise and Sport Sciences. Her post-doctoral work in Endocrinology and Metabolism focused on factors associated with glucose regulation in patients with type 2 diabetes. Professor Vella’s education and research expertise give her a unique perspective on chronic disease prevention across the lifespan. Her primary research focus is understanding the health benefits of physical activity and health consequences of sedentary behavior. Specifically she is interested in understanding the independent effects of physical activity and sedentary behavior on cardiometabolic disease risk factors such as obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance. She also works with grizzly bears as they are showing promise as a unique animal model for studying obesity, inactivity, and insulin resistance.

In 2014, Vella was awarded the University of Idaho Presidential Mid-Career Faculty Excellence Award for excellence in research, teaching and engagement. She is a certified Exercise Physiologist and Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and is actively involved in ACSM as well as the American Heart Association.

• University of Idaho Presidential Mid-career Faculty Excellence Award for excellence in research, teaching and engagement, 2014-2016

• Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine, 2013

• Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Minority Access to Research Careers Conference Travel Award, 2010

• Outstanding Performance for Securing Extramural Funding, University of Texas at El Paso, 2009 

• Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Minority Access to Research Careers Conference Travel Award, 2009 

• Endocrinology Scholar Award, American Federation for Medical Research, Western Regional Conference, 2006

• Interactions among physical activity, sedentary behavior and cardiometabolic health across the lifespan

• Independent effects of physical activity and sedentary behavior on obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance

• Effects of obesity on cardiovascular function during and after exercise

• Health disparities in physical activity, obesity, and cardiometabolic disease

• Obesity and insulin resistance in grizzly bears

• National Institutes of Health NIGMS 1U54GM104944-01A1, Clinical Translational Research - Infrastructure Network Mini Grant Program, PI Vella, Sedentary Behavior and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors During College; the SuRF study, $13,507 (1/15/2016-6/30/2016)

• Cambia Health Foundation, subaward via Community Council of Idaho, Inc, PI: Brown, H.  Building Capacity to Prevent Obesity and Diabetes among Children and Families of Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers, $49,974, Role: co-investigator (11/1/2014-10/31/2016)

• National Institutes of Health NIGMS 1U54GM104944-01A1, Clinical Translational Research, PI Vella. Exercise and c-reactive protein in young, overweight and obese adults, $84,500 (7/1/2014-6/30/2015)

• Technology-Infused Research Project, College of Education, PI Scruggs. Physical Activity Motion Sensor Technology Validation in Physical Education, $12,769 (6/1/2013-5/30/2014)

• Diann L. Haslett Faculty Excellence Fellowship Fund, College of Education, PI Vella. Exercise Intensity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Young Women: A Pilot Study, $12,000 (2013-2014)

• Blue Cross of Idaho, Foundation for Health, Inc., PI: Brown, HEAL- Healthy Eating and Active Living, $50,000 (2012-2013)

• University of Idaho Seed Grant, PI Vella, Physical Inactivity, Inflammation, and Metabolic Syndrome risk factors in Young Women, $12,000 (2011-2012)

• National Institutes of Health NIDDK 3SC2DK083061-02S1, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Supplemental Grant Program, PI Vella, Supplement to Characteristics of Metabolically Obese but Normal-weight Hispanic Women, $99,225 (2009-2011) 

• National Institutes of Health NIDDK 1SC2DK083061-01, Pilot Grant Program, PI Vella, Characteristics of Metabolically Obese but Normal-Weight Hispanic Women, $333,000 (2008-2011)

• Paso del Norte Health Foundation, Center for Border Health Research, PI Vella, Metabolic Syndrome in Young Normal-Weight Hispanic Women, $75,000 (2008-2009)

Dr. Vella's Publications in PubMed