Astrid Mel

Astrid Mel is Program Head and Assistant Professor of Exercise Science at Mercy College.   She is responsible for planning and implementing program initiatives, including the development of a state-of-the-art lab for teaching and research, developing, teaching and supervising curricular activities within the program and serving on committees such as Faculty Senate. She is also the Faculty Athletic Liaison on campus. Dr. Mel is certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a Sports Nutritionist from the International Society of Sports Nutrition, an Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine, and holds a National Coaching Diploma from the National Soccer Collegiate Athletic Association.

Dr. Mel earned her Masters degree in Advanced Level Coaching from Springfield College and her thesis explored gender differences in soccer officiating. She earned her Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, also from Springfield College, where she studied the effects of hydration status on soccer performance in female intercollegiate athletes. Prior to her current position, Dr. Mel served as Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Health and Exercise Science at Methodist University (Fayetteville, NC), Lab Coordinator, Instructor of Exercise Physiology and Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at Springfield College (Springfield, MA), Instructor of Physical Education, Head Soccer/Head Lacrosse Coach at Sweet Briar College (Sweet Briar, VA) and Assistant Soccer and Lacrosse Coach at William Smith College (Geneva, NY).  Dr Mel played semi-professional soccer in the W-League with the Rochester Ravens (Rochester, NY) and the Laval Dynamites, as team captain (Montreal, Canada).