Hirofumi Tanaka, Ph.D., was inducted as a fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology, one of the highest honors bestowed upon a kinesiology scholar. Tanaka has been a faculty member at The University of Texas at Austin since 2002 and is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and director of the Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory.
“Inclusion in the National Academy of Kinesiology is a tremendous honor. I am thrilled to be in such distinguished company,” said Tanaka. “The leaders in kinesiology are implementing transformational changes through the academy, and I am looking forward to joining them in this important work.”
Tanaka’s research focuses on the influence of aging and lifestyle modifications on cardiovascular disease risk and functions in humans. In particular, he is interested in determining the efficacy of regular physical activity for primary and secondary prevention of age-related changes in arterial function and structure. He is also currently involved in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, the Jackson Heart Study and the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study on Latinos.
Tanaka has published more than 350 peer-reviewed research papers and is also a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, the Gerontological Society of America and the Society of Geriatric Cardiology. As a member of the National Academy of Kinesiology, Tanaka will join other members in working to encourage and promote the study and educational applications of the art and science of human movement and physical activity.
