Ingrid K.M. Brenner
Assistant Professor

B.P.H.E. (University of Toronto) B.Sc. (University of Toronto) M.Sc. (Queen’s University) B.Sc.N. (University of Toronto) Ph.D. (University of Toronto) Office: DNA B108.1 Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7253 Email: ibrenner@trentu.ca Webpage:

Research interests:
Exercise and Environmental Stress
Exercise Immunology
Exercise, Aging and Special Populations

My research examines the impact of exercise (acute and chronic) and environmental stress on immune function and molecular physiology.   I am also interested in examining the role of exercise in health promotion and disease prevention in special conditions (for example; cancer, pregnancy, renal failure and aging).

Teaching
BIOL 4190H: The Biology of Physical Activity
BIOL 1050H: Human Anatomy
BIOL 1051H: Physiology

Selected publications

Natale VM, Brenner IK, Moldoveanu AI, Vasiliou P, Shek P and Shephard, RJ. Effects of three types of exercise on blood leukocyte count during and following exercise. Sào Paulo Med. J. 121: 9-14, 2003.

Castellani JW, Brenner IKM and Rhind SG. Cold exposure: human immune responses and intracellular cytokine expression.  Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 34: 2013-2020, 2002.

Rhind SG, Castellani, JW, Brenner IKM, Shephard RJ, Zamecnik J, Montain SJ, Young AJ, and Shek PN.  Intracellular monocyte and serum cytokine expression is modulated by exhausting exercise and cold exposure. Am. J. Physiol. Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol. 281: R66-R75, 2001.

Brenner IKM, Severs YD, Rhind SG, Shephard RJ and Shek PN. Immune function and incidence of infection during basic infantry training. Military Medicine 165, 878-883, 2000.

Brenner IKM, Natale VM, Vasiliou P, Moldoveanu AI, Shek PN and Shephard RJ. Impact of three different types of exercise on components of the inflammatory response. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 80: 452-460, 1999.

Brenner IKM, Wolfe L, Monga M, and McGrath MJ. Physical conditioning effects on fetal heart rate responses to graded maternal exercise. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc.  31: 792-799, 1999.

Brenner IKM, Castellani JW, Gambaree C, Young AJ, Zamecnik J, Shephard RJ and Shek PN. Immune changes in humans during cold exposure: effects of prior heating and exercise. J. Appl. Physiol. 87: 699-710, 1999.

Brenner I, Shephard RJ, and Shek PN. Immune function in hyperbaric environments,diving and decompression. Undersea Hyper. Med. 26: 27-39, 1999.

Information for prospective students :Students in my laboratory have the opportunity to work with an animal (mouse) model or with human subjects.  Within this context, research projects fall within two separate streams with either (1) a biological emphasis or (2) a nursing/health promotion emphasis.  Those projects designed to examine biological questions (ie., cellular stress pathways and immune activation) enable students to master concepts/analytical skills and assays related to the study of molecular physiology and immunology (including Westerns Blots, Elisa techniques, Immuno-histochemistry, Flow Cytometry and Microarray techniques).   Research with humans involves projects conducted within the hospital and in long-term care settings.   Areas of current investigation focus on the role of exercise in promoting activities of daily living (ADL), improving balance and preventing falls in the elder