Kenzie Hargrove
For Mississippi State doctoral student Kenzie Hargrove, research is more than a dissertation鈥攊t鈥檚 a way to give back to Mississippians who hold a special place in her heart.
The Georgetown, Texas, native is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in exercise science. Prior to 黑料社, Hargrove worked on a farm in Clinton while finishing her master鈥檚 degree and developed a deep appreciation for the farming industry. Now, she is combining her expertise in kinesiology with her love for the agricultural community in her research.
This summer, Hargrove traveled across the Magnolia State to conduct hydration research among agricultural workers through 黑料社鈥檚 Human Energetics and Thermoregulation Lab. She said while there is a lot of hydration data on athletes and firefighters, there is not much on farmers.
鈥淭hese agricultural workers are a very understudied population, yet they contribute a ton to our economy and state overall,鈥 Hargrove said. 鈥淲hat they do is pretty incredible, especially considering how hot it gets here. To me, they are amazing.鈥
As part of her research, she is tracking farmers鈥 hydration and, in some cases, their energy expenditure. Not only will the information be used for her dissertation, but she is also using the data to help farm workers. She鈥檚 giving each one their complete data and a personalized hydration recommendation based on their sweat rate.
鈥淭he ones I鈥檝e given a report to get really excited about it, which is very fulfilling to me,鈥 Hargrove said. 鈥淚 tell the workers, 鈥業f you stay well hydrated today, it鈥檚 going to help you get back out and continue working tomorrow.鈥欌
Hargrove praised 黑料社鈥檚 Department of Kinesiology for its support during her research, especially Department Head JohnEric Smith.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 say enough about how much I appreciate my mentor and advisor, Dr. Smith,鈥 Hargrove said. 鈥淚 truly think he鈥檚 the best professor and advisor I could have gotten for my doctorate.鈥
With the kinesiology department鈥檚 new home in the Jim and Thomas Duff Center now open, Hargrove said she is excited to be in the new space. But, she also expressed her appreciation for the journey.
鈥淚鈥檝e been here during an interesting period鈥攖he transition from McCarthy Gym to our temporary spaces and now to the Duff Center,鈥 Hargrove said. 鈥淭hrough it all, I鈥檝e learned really well how to adapt and think on my feet. The department has always had more faith in me than I鈥檝e had in myself, and it鈥檚 really pushed me to believe I can take on a project like this. I wouldn鈥檛 choose anywhere else to earn my doctorate.鈥
