Hans Dreyer’s research interests focus on muscle physiology and metabolism in young and older individuals. His lab uses stable isotope tracer methodologies in combination with molecular biology techniques to measure muscle protein synthesis rates, alterations in cell morphology, cell signaling and gene expression. His current grant, entitled Muscle Regrowth during Physical Rehabilitation and Amino Acid Supplementation, is funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development / National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research / NIH. The aims of this grant are to determine the effects of total knee arthroplasty on muscle physiology and metabolism before, during and after surgery and whether or not essential amino acid supplementation may help to augment muscle strength and physical function.

Dr. Dreyer earned a B.S. degree in Physical Therapy from the California State University, Long Beach in 1998. He earned his Ph.D. in Biokinesiology from the University of Southern California in 2004. He subsequently trained as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Dr. Dreyer joined the Department of Human Physiology in the summer of 2009.