You are invited to the UGA Mary Frances Early College of Education Department of Kinesiology's Abbie DeLoach Lecture Series featuring distinguished alumnus Dane Cook (M.S. '95, Ph.D '98), Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Cook will speak on “Using Exercise to Illuminate the Psychobiology of Chronic Multisymptom Disease” at the Paul D. Coverdell Center on Friday, October 3 at 2:30 pm. The Michael E. Penland Family Scholarships & a reception will immediately follow the lecture.

Please RSVP to https://forms.office.com/r/cEhDrJFj90 by October 1.

This presentation will provide an overview of Dr. Cook's research into chronic multisymptom diseases such as Gulf War illness, myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome, and Long COVID; using exercise as a stimulus to uncover pathophysiological mechanisms of these complex diseases. 

About the Speaker: Dr. Dane Cook is a professor of kinesiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Career Scientist awardee at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. He serves as director of the Exercise Psychology Lab where his research focuses on exercise neuroscience and how various physiological systems interact to produce and maintain complex diseases. He is also the Director and Chair of the Marsh Center for Research in Exercise and Movement and the Director of Human Exercise Research Center.

Early in his career, he received the Junior Investigator Award from the American Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the New Investigator Award from the American College of Sports Medicine, the Honored Instructor Award from the UW-Madison, and more. Later in his career, he was elected as a Fellow in the Academy of Behavioral Medicine Research, gave the Clifford Lewis Lecture for UGA’s Department of Kinesiology, received the 2020 Best Advisor Award from UW-Madison, and was promoted to Career Scientist by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Most recently, he received the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Researcher Award from UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education.

Dr. Cook has also chaired numerous federal scientific committees in the NIH and Department of Veterans Affairs to advance the science of chronic multisymptom illnesses. His research has received continuous federal funding for 25 years. Dr. Cook received both his master’s and doctoral degrees from the Department of Kinesiology here at UGA and completed his post-doctoral training in neuroscience at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dr. Cook credits UGA for establishing his methodological and exercise science roots and fostering joy in scientific discovery.

About the lecture: Abbie Lorene DeLoach (February 2, 1994-April 22, 2015) was dearly loved by all those who knew her. A graduate of Savannah Christian Preparatory School in 2012, Abbie was an excellent student and athlete. During her tenure in high school, she lettered in basketball, volleyball, and track. While her athletic prowess was strong, it was her leadership on the court and as part of the team that made her outstanding.

Dedicated to succeeding in all that she did, Abbie believed in making those around her believe in themselves. This work ethic continued as Abbie went off to college at Georgia Southern University where she was in the nursing program. A devoted student and friend, she excelled in her calling as a nurse. Not only did her love of learning further her studies, but it was also her love of the Lord that deepened her satisfaction of serving others.

The Abbie DeLoach Foundation continues the good work Abbie started, partnering with organizations closest to her heart to give scholarships and support worldwide missions. In 2018, Abbie's father, Jimmy DeLoach (B.S.Ed. '82), established the Abbie DeLoach Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship through the foundation