Trey Coker, PhD, FACSM, FTOS
Associate Director, Institute for Peak Performance/Director of Research
Office locationMemorial Hall, 009A,
Area(s) of Expertise: Human performance, exercise physiology, skeletal muscle physiology, operational physiology, nutrition, sarcopenia, obesity, musculoskeletal injury, warfighter resilience, predictive modeling, wearable technology, stable isotope methodology, clinical and field-based research
Courses Taught
- Exercise physiology
- Human physiology
- Metabolism
- Research methods
- Clinical exercise testing
- Nutrition and metabolism
- Obesity and chronic disease
- Hacking for Defense
- Seminar courses in health, performance, and translational physiology
Education
- Certificate, AI in Healthcare, Whiting School of Engineering, John Hopkins University
- Certificate; Entrepreneurship, Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
- Fellowship; Molecular Physiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
- PhD; Exercise Science, University of Mississippi
- MEd; Physical Education, North Georgia College
- BS; Physical Education, North Georgia College
Research/Special Field of Interest
Dr. Coker’s research focuses on skeletal muscle physiology, nutrient technology, physiological resilience, and the prevention of musculoskeletal injury under conditions of physical, nutritional, and/or environmental stress. His current work emphasizes predictive modeling for operational readiness, integration of wearable and biological data, and development of practical countermeasures to improve human performance. He also has SBIR/STTR commercialization experience through Essential Blends, LLC and was named to the Alaska Innovators Hall of Fame for his contributions to the acquisition of intellectual property and commercialization.
Publications/Exhibitions
Author of over 100 peer-reviewed publications in exercise physiology, metabolism, nutrition, obesity, sarcopenia, and human performance. His academic profile lists research interests in skeletal muscle, sarcopenia, obesity, nutrition, and resilience.
Work Experience
Dr. Coker’s prior teaching, research, service and leadership roles include tenured appointments at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Alaska, securing multiple federally funded research grants and contracts through NIH, DoD, NSIN/DEVCOM, USAMRDC/MTEC, and AFRL.
Personal Information
A native of the North Georgia region, Dr. Coker returned to Dahlonega after academic pursuits and professional appointments in Arkansas, Alaska, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Montana. A Gold Star father, his commitment to military-relevant research is deeply personal and grounded in a desire to support service members, cadets, and their families. Outside of his professional work, Dr. Coker has a longstanding personal interest in the outdoors, including hiking, rucking, hunting, and other activities connected to resilience, physical readiness, and life in North Georgia.