Exercise students travel to Washington D.C. to generate conversations about research

In March, exercise science students Michael Bellot and Kayla McKinley walked the steps of Capitol Hill advocating the importance of undergraduate research.  

Following their acceptance into the Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) -- a national program hosted by the Council on Undergraduate Research – Bellot and McKinley attended a rigorous series of online training sessions, throughout the academic year, where they gained insight into advancing their research through funding and advocacy. Health & Kinesiology department chair and associate professor, Shannon Jordan, mentored the duo throughout the program.  

“I have gained insight into how lawmakers view research and how they make policy decisions. I also learned how to effectively write an op-ed,” McKinley said about her training experiences. 

For their final training session in March, Bellot and McKinley traveled to Washington D.C. The two were able to put their skills to the test and speak with congressional staffers to gain practical skills that could be applied to their respective research journeys.  

McKinley’s studies focus on the effects of vaping on oxidative stress, inflammation and lung function in 18 to 30-year-olds. Her end goal is to see if men and women have significant differences in oxidative stress despite vaping the same substances. 

“Law makers should see the benefit in more research projects seeking to discover more about the little-known consequences of vaping,” McKinley cautioned. “We need to know what is happening and once we do, then we will finally be able to make informed policy decisions on the legality of vaping -- especially for minors.” 

Bellot’s research focuses on a self-created weightlifting form that allows users to lift more using the Valsalva Maneuver, a breathing technique, without the additional support of a lifting belt. The form combines intrabdominal pressure generation and core musculature contraction. 

As a veteran and physical trainer, Bellot is no stranger to fitness injuries. His developments can contribute to safer weightlifting practices and protection of the spine – which he hopes can serve as a proactive approach to chronic pain. 

“I have learned that politics plays too big of a role in the world of research and science, and it has dampened the potential of development,” Bellot said. "The STR program was a unique experience that I would happily do again if given the opportunity. Between exploring our nation's capital and getting to meet with congressional attendees to express our plight in research and development, it was a life changing experience." 

The trio, along with other Texas university teams, was able to meet with staffers from the offices of Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz to discuss state-wide concerns. However, when it came time to focus on Southeast Texas, the three were the sole representatives who got to dive deeper with Rep. Randy Weber’s staff and participate in meaningful conversations about undergraduate research and federal funding opportunities.  

“Kayla and Michael represented Lamar University in a professional manner as they shared their research projects and detailed the importance of funding undergraduate research,” Jordan said. “I am proud to be their mentor and accompany them on this prestigious journey.” 

Bellot, Jordan and McKinley also had the opportunity to collaborate with university students from across the country. During the group’s first session, they worked with Stephen F. Austin students and worked together to plan timeline agendas for their capitol meetings. 

"It was neat to see how instead of ‘competing’ against all the Texas teams, we had a sort of comradery happening,” McKinley explained. “We were advocating on behalf of undergraduate research for our institution, our state, and ultimately our nation. We were all there for the same purpose: to promote the enhancement and continuance of undergraduate research because of how it enriches education, develops competent individuals, increases creativity and knowledge, and fosters growth and discovers new ideas that impact everyone's life in a beneficial way.”