Department of Kinesiology Faculty Listing

Dr. Bruce Etnyre (Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin) Professor

Bruce Etnyre is a professor and department chair in the Kinesiology Department at Rice University. His primary research interests have included the study of flexibility and the study of movement when rising from sitting, especially for those who suffer from back pain. His current research involves motor control and biomechanical analysis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgical repair in athletic women. Dr. Etnyre received his bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University with a double major in Kinesiology and English. He completed two Master of Science degrees, one from Purdue University with majors in Kinesiology and English, and another from Texas Woman's University in Physical Therapy. His doctoral degree is from the University of Texas at Austin with specialization in Motor Control and Biomechanics. As a Licensed Physical Therapist he treats students with varying pathologies who seek his assistance. Dr. Etnyre's professional career began as a teacher and coach (assistant football, basketball, wrestling and track) in a small high school in Indiana. After a few years, he became a head football coach at another high school. Following a three-year tenure as a head football coach, while obtaining his first masters degree, he entered the doctoral program at the University of Texas. He served as a teaching assistant in the Kinesiology Department, while also working as a graduate assistant for the University of Texas football team. After completing his doctoral work he joined the faculty at Rice University. The classes Dr. Etnyre teaches include: Motor Control; Motor Learning and Motor Learning Labs; and Scientific Foundations of Kinesiology. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Texas Women's University where he directs graduate student studies. He has nearly 30 published papers in refereed journals, more than 80 presentations of scholarly research at state, regional, national and international professional meetings, and has been an invited speaker to over 20 national and international conferences. In addition, he directs undergraduate research experiences as independent studies at Rice. He is a professional member of the Society for Neuroscience and American College of Sports Medicine. He has served on more than 50 dissertation and masters thesis committees. His service also includes editorial board appointment for the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology.

You may email Dr. Etnyre at etnyre@rice.edu.

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