Dawn Emerson

Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education
dawn.m.emerson@maine.edu
207.581.2480

118 Lengyel Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5740

Bio: Dawn Emerson joined the College of Education and Human Development in fall 2025. Prior to UMaine, she taught in the athletic training programs at the University of South Carolina (2022-2025), and the University of Kansas and University of Kansas Medical Center (2015-2022). Her teaching interests are in exercise physiology, human performance, therapeutic interventions, primary care and pharmacology.
 
Dr. Emerson’s research focus is in exertional heat illnesses. She is interested in exploring risk factors, particularly medications and pre-existing medical conditions, in the pathophysiology of exertional heat stroke. She is also focused on raising awareness of heat and other health related concerns among marching band artists. Dr. Emerson has served as a medical volunteer with the Boston Marathon for over 10 years. She is also actively involved with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation. She has served on the Board of Directors as an at-large member (2018-2024) and most recently as the Vice President for Education and Professional Development Programs. In 2023 she received the Foundation’s Volunteer Service Award.

Education
Ph.D. in Exercise Science – Applied Physiology, 2016, University of South Carolina
M.S. in Physical Education – Athletic Training, 2009, University of South Carolina
B.S. in Athletic Training, 2006, University of Alabama

Courses taught at UMaine

  • KPE 378: Physiology of Exercise
  • KPE 426: Exercise Prescription and Leadership
  • KPE 560: Assessment and Evaluation of Human Performance
  • KPE 588: Advanced Exercise Physiology

Sample publications