New Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Fabiano Amorim
Dr. Amorim, tell us about yourself. Where do you come from in Brazil? Where did you teach in Brazil? And, importantly, please tell us about your family!
I was born and grew up in Belo Horizonte (capital of the state of Minas Gerais) located in the north of southeastern Brazil. I earned a bachelor (Physical education/Exercise Science) and master's degrees (Sports Training) after attending the Federal University of Minas Gerais. During my undergrad, I spent a semester abroad in the University of Erlangen (Germany). In 2003, I got a scholarship from Brazil to do my PhD. at the University of New Mexico. In 2008, I returned to Brazil and started to teach and research at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys. Before returning to UNM, me, my wife Caroline and my soon Felipe were living in the historical city of Diamantina (state of Minas Gerais).

Dr. Amorim, please share with us your research interests over the last few years.
Over the past few years, most of my research has been focused on investigating the effects of exercise on obesity and insulin resistance. I am interested in the effects of acute and chronic exercise in the insulin signaling pathways in skeletal muscle tissue. Recently, we have finished a study where we examined the effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) in intramuscular insulin signaling using obese subjects. Other research interests include the effects of cold water immersion on exercise recovery and heat exposure in occupational physiology.

What research interests do you see starting or continuing at UNM?
I want to continue contributing to the current molecular knowledge on how physical exercise improves insulin sensitivity in obese individuals. Also, testing how different exercise programs (i.e. high intensity interval training) affect skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity is of great interest to me. In addition, I want to extend my research with heat exposure and occupational physiology.

Why did you choose to come to UNM and become a member of the Exercise Science Faculty?
For me, returning to UNM as a faculty was coming back to a place that I have wonderful academic and friendship memories. I want to be part of an active research group and use all the available resources at UNM to improve knowledge about physical exercise.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I most enjoy helping students to build a successful academic and professional career. Also, working as a teacher allows me to use science to improve student knowledge and help society.

Dr. Fabiano Amorim with wife Caroline and son Felipe