College of Humanities and Sciences

Matthew Babcock, Ph.D., grew up in central Pennsylvania where his love for the sciences and exercise was evident from an early age. He combined that early passion to earn his B.A. in exercise science from Messiah College, his M.S. in exercise science from Syracuse University, and his Ph.D. in applied physiology from the University of Delaware. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Integrated Physiology of Aging Laboratory at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Outside the lab, Babcock is an avid trail runner and road cyclist who enjoys time outdoors with his dog, Winnie. Matt also enjoys sailing and supporting Tottenham Hotspur FC. He and his wife, Sarah, are proud parents to their young son, Charlie.

Q&A with Matt Babcock

Where did you grow up? Can you tell us a little about your educational journey?

I grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pa., a suburb of Harrisburg. I started undergrad at Clemson University but after a semester I had shoulder surgery, so I transferred to Messiah College (now University), which shared a property line with the house I grew up in. After testing the waters in engineering and physics, I earned a B.A. in exercise science. After working for a few years, I completed my M.S. in exercise science at Syracuse University, followed by a Ph.D. in applied physiology at the University of Delaware. I then completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in the Integrated Physiology of Aging Lab, and then was an assistant professor of medicine in the division of geriatric medicine prior to joining VCU.

When did you first fall in love with your field of study? What made you decide to work in academia?

As an undergraduate student I thought I would pursue a career in physical therapy, until I got involved with a research study on human performance among triathletes as a junior. I fell in love with research through my participation as a part of the study team — the opportunity to be creative in developing protocols to test our hypotheses, troubleshoot our approach when things didn't work as planned, and interpret our data to try and tell a compelling story all hooked me. I still thought I might become a PT after graduating, but after a few years of work in a PT clinic after graduation convinced me to go back to school and pursue a career in academia.

Can you explain the focus of your research?

My primary research program centers on blood pressure control in aging, with a particular emphasis on the role of declining sex hormones. Currently, this is focused on the effects of low testosterone on blood pressure control using androgen deprivation therapy, a treatment for prostate cancer, as a model. My current research project, supported by an NIH K01 award, aims to determine the mechanisms by which androgen deprivation therapy may lead to high blood pressure, focusing primarily on kidney function and the autonomic nervous system. He also leads a secondary line of research investigating cardiovascular health in ultramarathoners — exploring both the acute effects of running races longer than 26.2 miles and the chronic impacts of very high levels of exercise training.

What attracted you to VCU? What are you most excited about in regards to VCU and Richmond?

The faculty in KHS were a major draw for me at VCU, as well as the opportunities to engage students in research. One downside to working at a medical school as Ph.D. faculty is that teaching opportunities were very limited and it was nearly impossible to involve students in the laboratory. I'm very excited about the fact that so much emphasis for VCU students is placed on them getting involved in research. I look forward to having undergraduate and graduate students in the lab.

Can you tell us either a quirky fact about yourself or some of your hobbies?

I am a trail runner currently training for a 100-mile mountain trail race and I like to sail with my dad. Two years ago we sailed from Florida to the Bahamas and this year we sailed the British Virgin Islands.