Kelvin Wu, Ph.D.

Departments

Programs

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • M.S., University of Taipei
  • B.Ed., University of Taipei

Courses

  • Medical Terminology
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology of Exercise
  • Sport Psychology
  • Internship

Research Interests

  • Physical Activity, Fitness, and Cognition
  • Exercise and Brain Health
  • Neurocognitive Kinesiology

Biography

Kelvin Wu, Ph.D., was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan and went to University of Taipei with plans to become an elementary physical education teacher. After volunteering on a research project, however, he realized that his true passion lay in Exercise Science, and he decided to work in Sport Psychophysiology Lab at University of Taipei for his master’s degree. He subsequently accomplished his two-year substitute civilian service, where he joined the Sport Science Team in Taiwan National Athletic Training Center to assist Olympic athletes as a sport counselor. Ready for a change of pace and scenery, Wu came to the U.S. and earned his doctoral degree in Neurocognitive Kinesiology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

After graduation, Wu initially worked at Schreiner University as a tenure-track assistant professor in the department of Exercise and Sport Science. He then moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina as the assistant professor and program director in the department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina Upstate, where he earned his tenure. After seven years of experience teaching and serving as a program administrator, Wu joined St. Mary’s University as the department chair in Exercise and Sport Science.

Wu’s research topics include how aspects of health-oriented behaviors modulate the maturation of neural networks underlying aspects of cognition in preadolescent children, with a focus on understanding factors that relate to increased cognitive health and the effective functioning of individuals across the lifespan. His research is highly collaborative and interdisciplinary, fundamentally drawing from the domains of kinesiology, physical education, developmental psychology, psychophysiology and cognitive neuroscience. Wu’s current research focuses on young adults and examines whether acute bouts of HIFT (High Intensity Functional Training) may be a feasible approach for facilitating cognitive control and memory, with ERP (Event-related Potential) indices of cognitive processing showing differential recruitment of task-related attentional resources. These findings may support the similar, yet differential, benefits of HIFT versus traditional exercise (i.e., aerobic exercise, resistance training) on various aspects of cognition in the young adult population and serve as a preliminary basis for further investigation into whether such acute benefits associated with HIFT can be extended to children.

Honors and Awards

  • 2019: USC Upstate, Student Affairs, Excellence in Teaching and Advising Award Nominee
  • 2019: USC Upstate, Annual Award for Faculty Scholarly and/or Creative Pursuits Nominee
  • 2018: USC Upstate, Student Affairs, Excellence in Teaching and Advising Award Nominee
  • 2015: National Interest Waiver Permanent Residence Award (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration)
  • 2010: Excellent Paper Award by the International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Certifications/Affiliations

  • American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP)
  • American Heart Association First Responder (CPR/AED)
  • American College of Sports Medicine (Local and National member)
  • ACSM Psychobiology & Behavior Special Interest Group

Brisebois, B., Kamla, J., Wu, C.T., & Goins, J. (2021). Strategies for Implementing High-Intensity Functional Training into High School Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, 92(5). (SSCI, IF = 1.797, accept rate = 30 %)

Lin, C.L., Chueh, T.Y., Hsieh. S.S., Tsai, Y.J., Hung, C.C., Huang, C.J., Wu, C.T., & Hung, T.M. (2019). Motor competence Moderates Relationship between Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Resting EEG in Children with ADHD. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 17. (SSCI, IF = 1.797, ranking in Psychiatry, 82/146 =56 %)

Lo, L.-C., Hatfield, B. D., Wu, C.-T., Chang, C.-C., & Hung, T.-M. (2019). Elevated state anxiety alters cerebral cortical dynamics and degrades precision cognitive-motor performance. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, 8(1), 21–37. https://doi org.uscupstate.idm.oclc.org/10.1037/spy0000155 (SSCI, IF =2.409, ranking in Psychology, applied=428/82, 51.2%, Q3)

Li, X., Xie, R., Peng, X., Wu, C.T., Guo, L., Rochester, C.A., Hung, T.M. (2019). The relationship between Physical Fitness and Academic Performance in College Students. Journal of Physical Education Research, 6(3), 24-32. (IF =0.519)

Huang, C.J., Huang, C.W., Hung. C.L., Tsai, Y.J., Chang, Y.K., Wu, C.T., & Hung, T.M. (2018). Effects of Acute Exercise on Resting EEG in Children with Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. (SSCI, IF =2.071; Ranking in Psychology: Developmental = 32/70 =45.7%)

Hsieh, S.-S., Huang, C.-J., Wu, C.-T., Chang, Y.-K., & Hung, T.-M. (2018). Acute Exercise Facilitates the N450 Inhibition Marker and P3 Attention Marker during Stroop Test in Young and Older Adults. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7(11). (SCI, IF =5.58, Ranking: 15/154 (9.7%) in Medicine, General, & Internal, Q1)

Drollette, E. S., Pontifex, M. B., Raine, L. B., Scudder, M. R., Moore, R. D., Kao, S-C., Westfall, D. W., Wu, C-T., Kamijo, K., Castelli, D. M., Khan, N. A., Kramer, A., & Hillman, C. H. (2017). Effects of FITKids physical activity randomized controlled trial on conflict monitoring in youth. Psychophysiology, 55(3). (SSCI/SCI, IF = 3.118, Ranking in Psychology, Biological = 3/14 = 21.42%; Ranking in Psychology = 18/74 = 24.32%)

Yu, C-L., Tsai, Y-J., Huang, C-J., Hung, C-L., Wu, C-T., & Hung, T-M. (2016). Effect of moderate intensity acute exercise on spatial working memory in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Physical Education Journal, 49(s), 33- 45. (TSSCI: Taiwan Social Sciences Citation Index, Ranked as a top-class journal by the Research Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences in 2008 and 2015 in Taiwan)

Parks, A. C., Moore, R. D., Wu, C-T., Broglio, S. P., Covassin, T., Hillman, C. H., & Pontifex, M. B. (2015). The association between a history of concussion and variability in behavioral and neuroelectric indices of cognition. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 98(3), 426 – 434. (SCI/SSCI, Impact Factor = 3.311)

Wang, C., Chu, C., Wu, C., Lin, C., & Chang, Y. (2014). A preliminary study of acute exercise effect on Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Bulletin of Sport and Exercise Psychology of Taiwan, 14(2), 15 – 31.

Hillman, C. H., Pontifex, M. B., Castelli, D. M., Khan, N. A., Raine, L. B., Scudder, M. R., Drollette, E. S., Moore, R. D., Wu, C., & Kamijo, K. (2014). Effects of the FITKids randomized controlled trial on executive control and brain function. Pediatrics, 134, 1063 – 1071.

Wu, C., & Hillman, C. H. (2013). Aerobic Fitness and the Attentional Blink in Preadolescent Children. Neuropsychology, 27(6), 642 – 653.

Moore, R. D., Wu, C., Pontifex, M. B., O’Leary, K. C., Scudder, M. R., Raine, L. B., Johnson, C., & Hillman, C. H. (2013). Aerobic fitness and intra-individual variability of neurocognition in preadolescent children. Brain and Cognition, 82, 43 – 57.

Kamijo, K., Pontifex, M. B., O’Leary, K. C., Scudder, M. R., Wu, C., Castelli, D. M., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). The effects of an afterschool physical activity program on working memory in preadolescent children. Developmental Science, 14, 1046 – 1058. (PMCID: 21884320)

Wu, C., Pontifex, M. B., Raine, B. R., Chaddock, L., Voss, M. W., Kramer, A. F., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). Aerobic Fitness and Response Variability in Preadolescent Children Performing a Cognitive Control Task. Neuropsychology, 25, 333-341. (PMCID: 21443340)

Pontifex, M. B., Scudder, M. R., Brown, M., O’Leary, K. C., Wu, C., Themanson, J. R., & Hillman, C. H. (2010). On the number of trials necessary for stabilization of error-related brain activity across the lifespan. Psychophysiology, 47, 767-773. (PMCID: 20230502)

Wu, C., Lo, L., Lin, J., Shih, H., & Hung, C. (2007). The relationship between basketball free throw performance and EEG coherence. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology-Chinese, 5(4), 448-469.

Wu, C., & Hung, C. (2007). Effects of skill levels on EEG spectral power and coherence during dart throw. Journal of Physical Education in Higher Education, 9(2), 39-50.

Wu, C., & Hung, C. (2006). The Relationship between Reaction Time and EEG Coherence. Bulletin of Sport and Exercise Psychology of Taiwan, 8, 1-14

Publications

Brisebois, M., Kramer, S, Kamla, J., Wu, C., Morneault, T., Corpuz, J., Fowler, K., & Lindsay, K. (submitted). Dietary Practices and Sources of Dietary Information among CrossFit® Participants: Preliminary Findings. Poster will be present at the SEACSM 2022 Annual Conference. Greenville, SC.

Kramer, S, Brisebois, M., Kamla, J., Wu, C., Morneault, T., Corpuz, J., Fowler, K., & Lindsay, K. (submitted). Dietary and Sport Supplement Use and Sources of Information among CrossFit® Participants: Preliminary Findings. Poster will be present at the SEACSM 2022 Annual Conference. Greenville, SC.

Wu, C., Li, X., Xie, R., Peng, X., Guo, L., Rochester, C.A., & Hung, T-M. (2019). The Relationship between Physical Fitness and Academic Performance among Students at A Large University in China. Poster presented at the ECSS 2019 Annual Congress. Prague, Czech Republic.

Wu, C., Williams, B.C., & Kamla, J. (2019). The Relationship between Aerobic Fitness and the Attentional Blink in College Students. Oral presentation at the SEACSM 2019 Annual Conference. Greenville, SC.

Wu, C., Williams, B.C., & Kamla, J. (2018). The Relationship between Fitness and Academic Performance in College Students. Poster presented at the SWACSM 2018 Annual Conference. Costa Mesa, CA.

Wu, C., Foli, M. F., Nichols, A. M., Nair, P., & Hillman, C.H. (2016). A Single Bout of Aerobic Exercise Benefits the Attentional Blink. Poster presented at the NASPSPA 2016 Annual Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Wu, C., Herring, J. T., Ford, K., & Hillman, C. H. (2015). The Effect of a Single Bout of Aerobic Exercise on the Attentional Blink. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 47, S5.

Saunders, L. & Wu, C. (2014). Effects of Acute Exercise on Attentional Blink. Poster presented at the 117th Annual Conference of the Texas Academy of Science. Galveston: TX.

Moore, R. D., Wu, C., Pontifex, M. B., Broglio, S. P., & Hillman, C. H. (2012). The persistent influence of concussion on neuroelectric function and response variability. Psychophysiology, 49, S88.

Wu, C., Moore, R. D., Pontifex, M. B., Steven, P. B., & Hillman, C. H. (2012). Persistent Influence of Concussion on Response Variability Measures of Cognitive Control. Poster presented at the 24th Annual Convention of Association for Psychological Science, Chicago, IL, USA.

Moore, R. D., Wu, C., Pontifex, M. B., Broglio, S. B., & Hillman, C. H. (2012). The influence of concussion on neuroelectric function, attention and response variability. Poster presented at the 2nd Annual Conference on Concussion in Athletics: Brain to Behavior. State College: PA.

Raine, L. B., Pontifex, M. B., Scudder, M. R., O’Leary, K. C., Wu, C., Drollette, E. S., Castelli, D. M., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). The FIT Kids trial: The beneficial effects of a 9-month physical activity intervention on preadolescent cognition. Psychophysiology.

Wu, C., Kamijo, K., Foreman, R. G., Grider, D. T., Polich, J., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). Effects of aerobic exercise on attentional orienting and processing: P3a and P3b. Psychophysiology.

Pontifex, M. B., Scudder, M. R., O’Leary, K. C., Raine, L. B., Wu, C., Drollette, E. S., Castelli, D. M., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). The beneficial effects of fitness training on neurocognitive function in preadolescent children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Kamijo, K., Pontifex, M. B., O’Leary, K. C., Scudder, M. R., Wu, C., Castelli, D. M., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). An afterschool physical activity program improves working memory in preadolescent children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Wu, C., Pontifex, M. B., O’Leary, K. C., Scudder, M. R., Raine, L. B., Johnson, C. R., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). Aerobic Fitness and Intra-individual Variability on Neurocognitive Function in Preadolescent Children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Kamijo, K., Pontifex, M. B., O’Leary, K. C., Scudder, M. R., Wu, C., Castelli, D. M., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). Aerobic fitness and brain health in preadolescent children. European Journal of Sports Sciences.

Raine, L. B., Kamijo, K., Scudder, M. R., Wu, C., Drollette, E. S., Pontifex, M. B., Castelli, D. M., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). The beneficial effects of an afterschool physical activity program on preadolescent cognition: the FITKids trial. Poster presented to the ACSM conference on physical activity, cognitive function, and academic achievement: Moving students to better performance.

Wu, C., Pontifex, M. B., Scudder, M. R., O’Leary, K. C., Raine, L. B., Drollette, E. S., Castelli, D. M., & Hillman, C. H. (2011). FITKIDS: The effects of an afterschool physical activity program on neurocognitive function in preadolescent children. Poster presented at the 2011 International Conference of Exercise for 3Q – Health Quotient, Emotion Quotient and Intelligence Quotient, Taipei, Taiwan.

Wu, C., Pontifex, M. B., O’Leary, K. C., Scudder, M. R., Raine, L. B., Johnson, C. R., & Hillman, C. H. (2010). Aerobic fitness and intra-individual variability in preadolescent children. Psychophysiology, 47, S43.

Kamijo, K., Wu, C., Polich, J., & Hillman, C. H. (2010). Acute Aerobic Exercise and Spatial Inhibition. Psychophysiology, 47, S42.

Pontifex, M. B., Scudder, M. R., Brown, M., O’Leary, K. C., Wu, C., Themanson, J. R., & Hillman, C. H. (2009). Stabilization of error-related brain activity across the lifespan. Psychophysiology, 46, S37.

Hung, T., Wu, C., & Shih, H. H. (2007). The Relationship between Basketball Free Throw Performance and EEG Coherence. Paper presented at the Joint Congress 2007 SEA Games & ASEAN Para Games Scientific Congress and 5th Bangkok ASPASP International Congress on Sport Psychology, Bangkok, Thailand.

Hung, T., Wu, C., Lin, J., Wang, J., & Tsai, H. (2006). The relationship between stimulus preceding EEG alpha power and reaction time in elite table tennis players. Proceedings book for the 9th ITTF Science Congress, 11-17.

Wu, C., Lin, J., Shih, H., Chen, Y., Hsien, C., Lin, M., & Hung T. (2005). The relationship between resting EEG and reaction time. International Society of Sport Psychology 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology.

Tang, H., Ke, T., Jwo, J., Lin, J., Wang, Y., Wu, C., & Hung, T. (2005). EEG Coherence Pattern and Motor Learning. International Society of Sport Psychology 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology

Shih, H., Lin, J., Ho, N., Wu, C., Chung, L., Lu, C., Yang, J., & Hung, T. (2005). Frontal EEG Asymmetry and Sport Motivation. International Society of Sport Psychology 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology.

Wang, Y., Ke, T., Lin, J., Tang, H., Wu, C., Yang, J., & Hung, T. (2005). Effect of Psychomotor Learning on EEG Activity during Aiming. International Society of Sport Psychology 11th World Congress of Sport Psychology.

Wu, C., Lin, J., Fong, D., Chen, Y., & Hung, T. (2004). An EEG Coherence Study on Basketball Free Throw. Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 26, s202.

Shih, H., Lin, J., Wu, C., Li, C., Chang, C., & Hung, T. (2004). An EEG Psychophysiological Study on the Effects of Physical Activity on Preschool Children’s Cognitive and Emotional Development. Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 26, s170

Hung, C., Lo, L., Lin, J., Chang, C., Wu, C., Lin, S., & Hung, T. (2004). Dimensional Complexity and Dart Throw Performance. Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 26, s95.

Lin, T., Lin, J., Li, C., Chen, Y., Wu, C., & Hung, T. (2004). Does Learning Facilitate Brain Closer to Optimal Mental States? An EEG Study. Journal of sport & exercise psychology, 26, s123.

Conference Papers

Wu, C. “The Relationship among Fitness, Temporal Attention, and Academic Performance in College Students” Invited Talk, Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, December 2018

Wu, C. “Fitness and Cognitive Function in Preadolescent Children” 23rd Annual Diversity Conference, Spartanburg, SC, March 2017

Wu, C. “Implementing Technology to Exercise in Children with Lower Fitness” 22nd Annual Diversity Conference, Spartanburg, SC, March 2016

Wu, C. “Implementing Online Portfolio Apps.” Summer Fellow Faculty Friday, Loftis Center, Texas, April 2014

Wu, C., & Grillo M. “Undergraduate Research.” Faculty Representative Schreiner Saturday, CCAC, Texas, March 2014

Wu, C. “Exercise, Brain, and Cognition.” Keynote Speaker International Conference of Exercise Science, Taipei, Taiwan, December 2013

Wu, C. “Data Reduction on Neuroelectrical Measurement” Invited Talk Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, December 2013

Wu, C. “Exercise and Brain Health” Faculty Friday Social Event at Schreiner University, Kerrville, TX, November 2013

Wu, C. “Implementing New Teaching and Learning Strategies.” Summer Fellow Faculty In-Service, Kerrville, Texas, August 2013

Wu, C. “Strategies for Effectively Teaching Freshmen.” Summer Fellow Faculty In-Service Presenting to IDST 110 faculty, Kerrville, Texas, August 2013

Wu, C. “Exercise with Technology” Health Fair at Schreiner University, Kerrville, TX, September 2013

Wu, C. “Fitness and the Attentional Blink” Invited Talk Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, October 2011.

Wu, C. “Preparation and Experiences of Study Abroad.” Invited Talk Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan, December 2009.

Seminars and Workshops Presented
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