Modesto A. Lebron is a doctoral candidate in Kinesiology under the mentorship of Dr. David Fukuda in the Physiology of Work and Exercise Response (POWER) Laboratory. His research focuses on performance testing and interventions that reflect the demands of combat sport athletes, military personnel, and first responders. His dissertation investigates the use of jammer arm presses as a testing modality and examines how cognitive stimuli, fatigue, and dehydration affect coordinated upper- and lower-body dynamic power and complex reaction performance.
He has contributed multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented his work regionally and nationally. His work has appeared in journals such as Sports, Metabolites, the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, and the International Journal of Exercise Science, covering topics in exercise physiology, load-velocity profiling, and metabolic function in combat sports. Modesto has also played key roles in industry-funded clinical trials, including projects with Abbott Nutrition and Microphyt.
In addition to research, Modesto is committed to teaching and mentorship. He has taught undergraduate courses such as Kinetic Anatomy and Strength and Conditioning, receiving the Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching Award in 2025. He has also mentored undergraduate and graduate students, guiding them in research skill development, transitions into advanced degree programs, and conference presentations.
Originally from Northeast Ohio, Modesto is a proud Cleveland sports fan. Outside of academics, he enjoys running, cycling, and training jiu-jitsu.
