Press Release
Havre, MT – Montana State University-Northern’s College of Health Sciences has been awarded a $112,156 research grant to launch a year-long study titled Exploring Relationships Between Vitamin D, Exercise, Stress, and Illness with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Led by Dr. Chad Spangler, this project will examine the impact of exercise, vitamin D levels, and stress on upper respiratory infections in students. The study will begin on May 1, 2025, and run through April 30, 2026, with MSU-Northern as the primary performance site.
This fall, upper-level Integrated Health Sciences students will track three cohorts of MSU-Northern students based on their physical activity levels:
Sedentary students (no regular exercise)
Moderate exercisers (regular but non-intense exercise)
Vigorous exercisers (high-intensity training)
Researchers will collect data on illness frequency, severity, and duration while measuring participants’ perceived stress, vitamin D levels, and immune response. To encourage participation, students who complete the study will receive a $100 gift card at the end of the semester.
Interested students can get involved by enrolling in one of two new 1-credit elective courses launching in Fall 2025:
ACTV 191 (Exercise for Health and Wellness) – For those in the moderate exercise cohort
HTH 191 (Participating in Human Subjects Research) – For those in the sedentary cohort
Students interested in participating should contact Dr. Chad Spangler or register for the appropriate course.
“This research gives students hands-on experience in exercise science, data collection, and biological analysis, preparing them for future careers in health, fitness, and research. Whether they’re designing exercise programs, tracking illness patterns, or analyzing vitamin D levels, students will gain valuable skills that bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application,” said Dr. Chad Spangler.
This research has been made possible through key collaborations with expert faculty and research partners:
Dr. Praveen Dubey (Education) – A specialist in structural equation modeling (SEM), Dr. Dubey played a crucial role in securing the grant and will develop statistical models to analyze the relationship between upper respiratory infections, biological factors (vitamin D levels and innate immunity), psychological factors (perceived stress), and social factors (exercise behavior).
Dr. Stephen Martin & the Translational Biomarkers Lab at MSU Bozeman– Blood and saliva samples will be analyzed under Dr. Martin’s supervision. Dr. Spangler will work with the lab to quantify salivary immunoglobulin concentrations and serum vitamin D levels while also exploring new methods to measure vitamin D bioavailability.
Dr. Spangler envisions that this collaboration will help MSU-Northern develop its own biomarker research capabilities in the future, integrating lab-based analyses into its health sciences curriculum. With additional funding, he hopes to expand the university’s research infrastructure and create more opportunities for students to engage in advanced scientific inquiry.
A core objective of this initiative is to establish a sustainable, student-centered research experience that can continue year after year. Engaging in hands-on research strengthens graduate school applications and boosts student confidence in pursuing advanced degrees. MSU-Northern has seen an increase in students applying to allied health graduate programs, and Dr. Spangler believes that experiential learning opportunities like this are a key factor driving that trend.
The project has also benefited from the guidance and support of MSU-Northern’s Office of Sponsored Programs, as well as faculty mentors Dr. Giuseppe Cortese, Dr. Terri Hildebrand, and Dr. Randy Maglinao, who have contributed to building a student-focused, research-driven learning environment.
Dr. Spangler and his team aim to expand this research beyond its initial phase, collecting additional data each year to refine and strengthen the study’s models. With continued support from faculty collaborators and MSU-Northern leadership, this project represents a significant step toward growing the university’s capacity for high-impact, student-led research.
