He has done his Post-doctoral Fellow, 1994, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation, Minneapolis, Ph.D., 1992, University of South Carolina, Columbia, M.S., 1988, Springfield College, Massachusetts, B.S., 1984, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

The broad goal of our research program is to generate a public health message regarding the effects of exercise and targeted dietary supplementation on immune function and susceptibility to disease. The current belief is that moderate exercise enhances immune function, whereas intense, prolonged exercise suppresses it. Specifically, our experiments are designed to (1) describe the effects of different doses of exercise on immune functioning, (2) determine the mechanisms responsible for exercise-induced changes in immunity, (3) define the physiological significance of exercise-induced changes in immunity in relation to disease susceptibility and progression (inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, obesity related comorbidities and infection), and (4) explore the use of appropriate forms of exercise as adjunct therapy for those with deranged immune systems (e.g. elderly, obese). We use both human and animal models in our research. We have found that exercise can protect mice from death due to influenza, speed wound healing, and reduce inflammation and blood vessel density in growing tumors and attenuate colitis. We have shown that regular exercise can improve immune responses to vaccination in older adults. We believe that exercise improves health by reducing acute and chronic inflammation. We explore the additive and synergistic effects of exercise and targeted dietary supplementation on age-related inflammation and cognitive dysfunction in aging. Our recent focus has been on the effects of exercise on the gut microbiome and its role in mediating the beneficial effects of exercise. Our laboratory is fully equipped with state-of-the-art tissue culture facilities, equipment for biochemical measurements, animal telemetry, molecular biology and clinical exercise and body composition testing. We enjoy collaborations with investigators in diverse fields such as veterinary medicine, psychology, molecular virology, immunology, animal sciences as well as kinesiology. Jeff Woods joined UIUC's faculty in 1994 and is currently a Full Professor. We are always seeking bright, motivated graduate or undergraduate students to join our lab.