Praveen Veerabhadrappa

Associate Professor, Kinesiology
Beaver Athletics and Wellness Center, 201F

Dr. Praveen Veerabhadrappa (Dr. V) is passionate about research, innovation and inspiring the next generation of leaders (students) to further scientific research.

Dr. Veerabhadrappa considers his most important work to be on the longterm effects of exercise training on the cardio-metabolic risk factors, prevalence of masked hypertension and blood pressure variability, which has earned international recognition. Currently, his research focuses on incorporating wearable technology to enhance physical activity and improve health. Dr. Veerabhadrappa’s research group studies the cardio-metabolic effects of sedentary behavior using novel devices such as Actigraph, Fitbit, Vibralite and Apple Watch. His research students have presented their research at local, regional and national professional conferences.

Dr. Veerabhadrappa is also recognized internationally with many awards. He has published 22 manuscripts and more than 60 abstracts in peer-reviewed journals. He serves on the editorial board and as a peer-reviewer for many high-impact journals in science and medicine, and is the founding member of the New Investigator Network of The International Society of Hypertension. Dr. Veerabhadrappa has organized and moderated many national and international symposia, liaising with the American Heart Association and the European Society of Hypertension.

Membership of editorial board

  • Annals of Clinical and Experimental Hypertension (2015-present)
  • Internal Medicine Open Journal (2012-present)
  • Asian Journal of Medical Sciences (2012-present)

Journal peer-reviewer

  • American Journal of Hypertension
  • Hypertension
  • Annals of Internal Medicine
  • Hypertension Research
  • Journal of American Heart Association
  • Integrated Blood Pressure Control
  • Gender Medicine

Conference abstract reviewer

  • International Society of Hypertension
  • American Heart Association Scientific Sessions
  • Council on Hypertension of the American Heart Association

International leadership in professional organizations

  • Founding Member of International Society of Hypertension New Investigator Committee (2010–2016)
  • Member of International Society of Hypertension Membership Committee (2014–present)
  • Member of the International Society of Hypertension Corporate Liaison Committee (2016-present)
  • Member of Trainee Advocacy Committee of the High Blood Pressure Research Council of American Heart Association (2012-2014)

Research awards

  • American Society of Hypertension/Boehringer Ingelheim Young Investigator Travel Award (2010)
  • American Heart Association-Pfizer 7th Hypertension Summer School Travel Award (2010)

Research grants

  • Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties (APSCUF)
  • Welfare and Carlisle Area Health & Wellness Foundation (CAHWF) Wellness at Work initiative
  • Summer undergraduate research experience grant
  • Frank Franco Undergraduate research grant

Undergraduate research supervision

  • Principal supervisor of 17 undergraduate research projects (seven projects funded through undergraduate research grants)

Diaz KM, Veerabhadrappa P, Brown MD, Whited MC, Dubbert PM, Hickson DA. Prevalence, Determinants, and Clinical Significance of Masked Hypertension in a Population-Based Sample of African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study. Am J Hypertens. 2015 Jul;28(7):900-8. doi: 10.1093/ajh/hpu241. Epub 2014 Dec 12. PubMed PMID: 25499058; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4481565.

Veerabhadrappa P. Blood pressure variability: does speed matter? Hypertens Res. 2013 Dec;36(12):1035-6. doi: 10.1038/hr.2013.114. Epub 2013 Sep 12. PubMed PMID: 24026040.

Diaz KM, Veerabhadrappa P, Kashem MA, Feairheller DL, Sturgeon KM, Williamson ST, Crabbe DL, Brown MD. Relationship of visit-to-visit and ambulatory blood pressure variability to vascular function in African Americans. Hypertens Res. 2012 Jan;35(1):55-61. doi: 10.1038/hr.2011.135. Epub 2011 Aug 4. PubMed PMID: 21814215; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3629695.

Veerabhadrappa P, Diaz KM, Feairheller DL, Sturgeon KM, Williamson ST, Crabbe DL, Kashem AM, Brown MD. Endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation in African Americans with masked-hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2011 Oct;24(10):1102-7. doi: 10.1038/ajh.2011.103. Epub 2011 Jun 16. PubMed PMID: 21677701; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3711226.

Veerabhadrappa P, Diaz KM, Feairheller DL, Sturgeon KM, Williamson S, Crabbe DL, Kashem A, Ahrensfield D, Brown MD. Enhanced blood pressure variability in a high cardiovascular risk group of African Americans: FIT4Life Study. J Am Soc Hypertens. 2010 Jul-Aug;4(4):187-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jash.2010.04.005. PubMed PMID: 20885987; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2945908.

Ph.D., Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

M.S., Kinesiology (Exercise Physiology), Temple University, Philadelphia, PA