New Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences Chair Brings Decades of Experience to the Role
06/02/2025
By Karen Angelo
After two decades in military research and biotech entrepreneurship, Robert Kenefick has circled back to where his scientific journey began—academia. Kenefick, who was named chair of the Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences Department in January, brings decades of leadership and research experience in the private sector, academia and for the U.S. military to the role.
“I’m thrilled to be at UMass Lowell working with dedicated staff, students and the best faculty, who are all well-recognized in their fields,” says Kenefick.
As an applied physiologist, Kenefick has studied the impact of environmental extremes, such as heat, cold and altitude, on human performance. He has conducted studies all over the world, from Mount Kilimanjaro to military bases in the U.S. and beyond. His research has helped craft military and occupational health guidance to keep soldiers and workers safe during training, deployment and labor in extreme environments.
Kenefick’s journey began at Southern Connecticut State University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise physiology. He completed his doctoral work at the University of Connecticut in 1995 and served as an associate professor of exercise science at the University of New Hampshire in the Department of Kinesiology for 10 years. He left academia to work as a research physiologist in the Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, where he later became the deputy chief of the division.
“I always welcomed the challenge of conducting research in real-world settings so that it can directly benefit those in academia, industry and the military,” says Kenefick. “And I’ve always enjoyed collecting data, mentoring students, junior scientists and young professionals.”
After 14 years of conducting research for the U.S. military, Kenefick was presented with an opportunity to join a biotech startup. In his role as senior vice president of research and development for Entrinsic Health Solutions, Kenefick led clinical studies on the treatment of gastrointestinal illnesses, focusing on individuals undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments for cancer.
Kenefick says he’s excited to be back on a college campus and is looking forward to his role as chair of the Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences.
“I’m so grateful for the leadership of Dean Mary Gallant and for the warm welcome from the college department chairs, faculty, staff and students,” says Kenefick. “To be back in academia at UMass Lowell, using my experience to guide and support the next generation, feels like coming home.”