Center for Sports Surface Research

Dr. Andrew McNitt, Director of the Center for Sports Surface Research

Areas of Expertise: Maximizing the safety and playability of athletic field playing surfaces through development of improved construction and maintenance techniques. Current projects include: Evaluation of the playing surface characteristics of infilled synthetic turf systems; Evaluation the effectiveness of antimicrobial and disinfectants on survival of S. aureus on synthetic turf. Dr. McNitt is currently the technical advisor to the NFL’s Ground Keepers Association.

Thomas Serensits, M.S. Agronomy, Manager of the Center for Sports Surface Research

Mr. Serensits has practical experience in the NFL working for the Philadelphia Eagles and has extensive research experience as a research technician at Virginia Tech. Tom’s masters thesis evaluated the surface stability of NFL playing fields.

Dianne Petrunak, M.S. Plant Pathology, Primary Research Technologist

Ms. Petrunak has an M.S. in plant pathology and has extensive research experience. She was the primary researcher implementing the S. aureus studies conducted at Penn State and has been implementing research on infilled synthetic turf systems for seven years.

Dr. John Challis, Director of Biomechanics Lab, Department of Kinesiology

Areas of Expertise: Measurement and simulation modeling of the human musculo-skeletal system, with the aim of examining the role, function, and coordination of muscle in vivo. Development of improved biomechanical measurement protocols.

Dr. George Salvaterra, Head Athletic Trainer

Dr. Salvaterra is the head athletic trainer for all intercollegiant sports at Penn State. He oversees graduate students working toward their degree as sports trainers. Dr. Salvaterra’s has an international reputation and has published numerous research articles concerning athlete injury prevention and treatment.

Dr. Gary Perdew, Director of the Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis

Areas of Expertise: Mechanisms of toxicity of dioxin and related compounds. Ah receptor mediated signal transduction. Role of heat shock proteins and co-chaperones in soluble receptor and kinase function. Physiological role of the Ah receptor.

Dr. Carmen Enid Martínez, Center for Environmental Chemistry

Areas of Expertise: The occurrence, distribution, and transformations of trace elements in the environment and their interactions with soil surfaces. The biogeochemical behavior of trace elements in conjunction with their solid- and solution- phase chemical speciation, and the effect of speciation on trace element biological availability, mobility, and transport in both complex environmental systems as well as model systems in the laboratory.

Bob Hudzik, Assistant Athletic Director/Director Of Outdoor Athletic Facilities

Bob Hudzik has over 30 years experience building. preparing and maintaining athletic surfaces at Penn State. Mr. Hudzik received his two-year degree in turf management from Penn State in 1972. Numerous private companies seek out Mr. Hudzik’s consultation on new products, equipment, and techniques related to athletic surfaces.

Herb Combs, Supervisor of Outdoor Athletic Facilities

Mr. Herb Combs is in charge of preparation and maintenance of all outdoor athletic surfaces at Penn State. Mr. Combs received his B.S. degree from Penn State and previously held a similar position at the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Evangelos Manias, Leader of Center for the Study of Polymeric Systems

Areas of Expertise: Novel nanometer-structured polymers and nanocomposites, as they lead to the next generation of materials, enable new applications, and unravel the relevant science in the field. This approach spans the range of engineering development of nanocomposites, chemistry-processing-structure-property-relationships, synthesis and characterization, experimental physical chemistry and polymer science, and molecular modeling theory.