Education

  • Marquette University - PhD

Professional Activities

Dr. Sundberg plays an active role in advancing scholarly dialogue in his field. He serves as a Reviewing Editor for The Journal of Physiology, following his service as an Editorial Board Fellow and lead editor of a special issue on aging skeletal muscle. He is a frequent invited speaker at national and international conferences, including keynote lectures in the U.S. and abroad, and contributes to professional societies such as the American Physiological Society and the American College of Sports Medicine. His editorial work, invited lectures, and society service reflect his standing as a trusted scholar whose academic leadership strengthens both institutional training environments and the broader scientific community.

Research Interests

Dr. Christopher Sundberg’s research program focuses on understanding the fundamental biology of skeletal muscle fatigue and how it changes across the lifespan. Fatigue—the decline in the ability of muscle to generate force—affects nearly everyone but is especially impactful in older adults and individuals with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. By integrating approaches from human physiology, biomechanics, and cellular biology, Dr. Sundberg investigates how neuromuscular function is altered with age and disease, and how these changes contribute to declines in mobility, independence, and quality of life. This work addresses one of the central challenges in medicine and public health: preserving physical function and healthspan in an aging population.

His program is distinctive for its multi-scale approach, spanning from whole-muscle performance to molecular pathways. Dr. Sundberg combines advanced imaging, muscle biopsies, and electrophysiological techniques to link cellular and molecular processes with human movement and fatigue. By identifying mechanisms that accelerate functional decline, his lab aims to inform the development of targeted interventions—ranging from exercise prescriptions to potential therapeutic strategies—that can delay or prevent age-related losses of muscle function. In doing so, his research not only advances basic understanding of human physiology but also provides a translational bridge toward interventions that promote resilience, independence, and healthy aging.

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