Overview
Associate Professor
1194A Graves Hall
333 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43210
Office: (614) 247-6231
Professional Areas of Interest
- Exercise Physiology
- Body Composition
- Obesity
- Strength and Conditioning
Research Focus
One area of my research seeks to advance and validate methods to assess body composition across diverse clinical and special populations. This work includes laboratory-based techniques such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, air displacement plethysmography (BOD POD), bioelectrical impedance analysis and ultrasonography. I am also interested in the validity of digital health and wearable technologies for the assessment of body composition. One of my current research projects involves working with a research team on an industry-funded study examining longitudinal changes in body composition, muscular strength, VO2 max and physical function in men undergoing androgen-deprivation therapy for prostate cancer. I am also helping lead a multi-site NIH-funded study in adults with Down syndrome aimed at validating wearable technologies for assessing body composition and physical activity in this population. Lastly, I am increasingly focused on research involving anti-obesity medications that monitor body composition changes in response to targeted dietary and exercise interventions during treatment.
Recent Publications
Perez III J, Snarr RL, Saenz C, Park K-S, Czerwinski SA, Nickerson BS. Hispanic adults demonstrate higher fat-free mass density compared to cadaver reference values: a 4-compartment model approach. Journal of the American Nutrition Association (Accepted for Publication).
Mehra A, Snarr RL, Russell AR, Perez III J, Aguiar EJ, Esco MR, Czerwinski SA, Nickerson BS. Individuals with Down syndrome possess lower handgrip strength, appendicular lean mass, and muscle quality versus weight-matched adults. Nutrition, 112857, 2025.
Nickerson BS, Esco MR, Schaefer G, Aguiar EJ, Czerwinski SA. A descriptive analysis of sarcopenia markers in young adults with Down syndrome. Experimental Gerontology 199, 112655, 2025.
Mehra A, Starkoff BE, Nickerson BS. The evolution of bioimpedance analysis: from traditional methods to wearable technology. Nutrition 129, 112601, 2024.
Nassar B, Tinsley GM, Park K-S, Czerwinski SA, Nickerson BS. Comparisons between DXA and bioimpedance devices for appendicular lean mass and muscle quality in Hispanic adults. British Journal of Nutrition 131(12), 2031 – 2038, 2024.
Recent Presentations
Mehra A, Snarr RL, Schaefer G, Aguiar EJ, Esco MR, Czerwinski SA, Nickerson BS. Handgrip strength, appendicular lean mass and muscle quality are lower in adults with Down syndrome. American College of Sports Medicine 2025 Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Perez III J, Snarr RL, Park K-S, Czerwinski SA, Nickerson BS. Hispanic adults demonstrate higher fat-free mass density compared to cadaver reference values: a 4-compartment model approach. American College of Sports Medicine 2025 Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
Major Awards
- Principal Investigator: Improving body composition assessment and physical activity monitoring in adults with Down syndrome using mobile technology. Funded by NICHD (1R21HD115191-01)
- Principal Investigator: Critical analysis of a rapid 4-compartment model in Hispanic adults: effect of age and level of body fatness. Funded by NIGMS (1SC1GM135099-01A1)
- 2024 Graduate School Centennial Scholar – University of Alabama
- 2023 Kinesiology Alumni Award – Auburn University of Montgomery
- 2021 – Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine
Education
PhD – Exercise Physiology, University of Alabama, 2016
EdS – Special Education, Auburn University Montgomery, 2013
MEd – Physical Education, Auburn University Montgomery, 2011
BS – Sport Management, University of South Alabama, 2008