Dr. Riana Pryor began her faculty appointment with the University at Buffalo in 2019 and is the director of the Hydration, Exercise, and Thermoregulation (HEAT) Laboratory within the Center for Research and Education in Special Environments (CRESE). Her research examines 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. Such interventions include heat acclimation, optimizing work to rest ratios, body cooling, and hydration practices. Additionally, Riana investigates exertional heatstroke treatment and recovery as well as the impact of state high school athletic association policies on exertional heat illnesses. She previously investigated medical services provided to student-athletes in secondary schools throughout the United States. 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 road-race medical tents at races like the Buffalo Marathon, Falmouth Road Race and Marine Corps Marathon to diagnose and treat exertional heat illnesses. She serves the athletic training profession through her work with the NATA Foundation Free Communications committee and the Korey Stringer Institute Medical and Science Advisory Board, and previously served on the NATA Professional Responsibility in Athletic Training committee.

• 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