Sofea Smith is a doctoral student in kinesiology working under the mentorship of School of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences Director Jeffrey Stout in the Physiology of Work and Exercise Response (POWER) Laboratory. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina (USC) and her Master of Science in kinesiology from UCF. Her master’s thesis examined exercise-induced muscle swelling using bioelectrical impedance analysis.
Smith’s research focuses on enhancing human performance through exercise, supplementation, and nutrition interventions. She was awarded the UCF Summer Mentorship Fellowship, through which she investigated the effects of sodium bicarbonate on rate of perceived effort (RPE) during a 5-kilometer time trial. As she begins her first year of doctoral study, she plans to continue utilizing bioelectrical impedance analysis to assess cellular health in response to exercise and supplementation interventions.
In addition to her research, Smith is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and an active personal trainer at a medical-integrative center, where she works with approximately 20 clients. As an instructor, she has taught the undergraduate course Personal Fitness and Wellness and assisted with Assessments and Evaluation, and Exercise Physiology II.
Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Smith enjoys resistance training, Pilates, trying new foods, and spending time with her cat, Peachy.
