Jaume Padilla, associate professor, nutrition and exercise physiology, has received CAFNR’s 2024 Roger L. Mitchell Fellow Award as part of the College’s annual Celebration of Excellence awards ceremony. 

The research of Padilla, who is also an investigator in NextGen Precision Health, focuses on the nexus of cardiovascular disease, physical inactivity, obesity and type 2 diabetes, incorporating diverse methodologies from in vitro tissue culture to clinical studies.   

His achievements include more than 175 peer-reviewed publications, more than $11 million in external funding, invited talks both nationally and internationally, and prestigious awards such as the 2023 Impact Award from the American Physiological Society. Notably, his work on the vascular effects of prolonged sitting garnered significant media attention and acclaim, showcasing the broad impact of his research.  

“Dr. Padilla is an outstanding researcher, teacher and citizen to the department and has clearly elevated CAFNR through collaboration and innovative thinking,” said nominators Jill Kanaley, professor and director of graduate studies, and Chris Hardin, professor, both in nutrition and exercise physiology. “As a mid-career faculty member, his research accomplishments have been exemplary and provide high recognition for the college and university at the national and international level.”