Newswise — In his fourth year of study in the University of Northern Colorado’s (UNC) Sport and Exercise Science Ph.D. – Exercise Physiology Concentration program, Edwin Rodriguez is embarking on research for cancer patients.
“My dissertation research will compare a rapid breathing protocol — cyclic hyperventilation with retention — to a high-intensity interval training on heart rate variability and immune function,” he said, noting the two-week study focuses on improving immune cells’ ability to kill cancer cells.
It’s been years in the making.
Rodriguez enrolled at Carroll University, where several of his professors were UNC alumni. He programmed cancer survivors’ exercises while interning at the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute.
“One patient had uncommon physiological responses. He meditated all the time, and I realized meditation masked his autonomic neuropathy symptoms. I had that light bulb moment where it all clicked, and I wondered if there was something more to this breathing stuff,” he said.
He worked as an exercise physiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital before coming back to UNC, this time as a doctoral student. His fascination with using exercise to treat chronic disease is foundational to his research.
“Being able to give back and help individuals during this time in their life when they are dealing with cancer is important and fulfilling,” he said.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) employs quick, intense bursts of exercise followed by short, active recovery periods. His work with cancer patients demonstrated the importance of exercise, which also is backed up by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Still, he wondered if guided breathing could be an effective alternative for those unable to do HIIT.
As Rodriguez delved into various breathing interventions, he also learned about flow cytometry, a technique for identifying and sorting cells and their components in which cells are stained with fluorescent dye for detection by laser beam illumination. Flow cytometry enables him to find and visualize natural killer cells.
“This cell population circulates in the blood looking at cells to see if they’re expressing signs of stress or distress. If cells are not acting how they should, natural killer cells kill them. I’m trying to see if we’re able to enhance the cytotoxic ability of natural killer cells in individuals who can’t perform high-intensity interval training but can do this rapid breathing intervention,” Rodriguez said.
His research could guide healthcare providers’ recommendations to patients, and not just the Americans diagnosed with cancer every year. It’s applicable to chronic inflammation associated with numerous disease states, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune conditions effecting nearly 125 million Americans and contributing to approximately 60% of premature deaths worldwide.
As a graduate assistant, Rodriguez teaches cardiac rehabilitation classes and conducts research. When he arrived on campus, he joined Professor Laura Stewart’s lab and became an inaugural member of the Complementary Health and Integrative Physiology Center (CHIPC), which supports physiology research.
“Dr. Stewart is a fantastic mentor. She’s supportive, yet she also pushes her students to become their best,” he said.
Stewart is the director of CHIPC and graduate coordinator for the College of Natural and Health Sciences’ Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition and Dietetics. She describes Rodriguez as “dedicated, professional and kind.”
“When Eddie arrived, he had to dive into a large, externally funded study. He faced the challenge head on, and I think it helped him develop into the scientist that he is today,” Stewart said.
The two meet weekly to discuss their projects, including his dissertation, which she oversees. She said Rodriguez showed initiative by dedicating several months to becoming familiar with flow cytometry, with mentorship from Associate Professor Nicholas Pullen and Assistant Professor James Haughian, both in the School of Biological Sciences.
“Our goal is to use this breath technique to determine if it could elicit immune changes similar to those induced with high-intensity interval training. If we can induce a positive immune change, it could be a great option for people who can’t exercise yet or aren’t feeling well,” she said. “That would be really valuable.”
After graduation next summer, Rodriguez hopes to become a postdoctoral researcher.
“My top choice would be to look at the immune system using flow cytometry to fine tune that research method and then go into academia,” Rodriguez said.
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