Dr. Riana Pryor is the director of the Hydration, Exercise, and Thermoregulation (HEAT) Laboratory within the Center for Research and Education in Special Environments (CRESE). Her federally funded projects examine the impact of extreme environments on physiological responses during work and exercise. Research topics include the prevention and treatment of heat strain in warfighters, workers, and athletes using interventions including heat acclimation, work to rest ratios, and hydration practices. Additionally, Riana investigates exertional heatstroke treatment and recovery and previously investigated medical services provided to student-athletes in US secondary schools. Her benchmark article was the first to show nationwide data regarding athletic training services in secondary schools, which led to the Athletic Training Locations and Services (ATLAS) database through a partnership with the Korey Stringer Institute and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). As an athletic trainer, Riana volunteers at the Buffalo Marathon medical tent to diagnose and treat exertional heat illnesses alongside her athletic training students. She has served the athletic training profession through her work with the NATA Foundation Free Communications committee and the NATA Professional Responsibility in Athletic Training committee, as well as her current service on the Korey Stringer Institute Medical and Science Advisory Board.

• Director of Research, Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
• PhD in Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
  
• MS in Exercise and Sport Sciences, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY
• BS in Exercise Physiology and Athletic Training, SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY

• American Physiological Society
• American College of Sports Medicine
• National Athletic Trainers’ Association