Gary A. Dudley, 54, Distinguished Research Professor of Kinesiology who was internationally known for his research on exercise science and muscle biology, died Sept. 29.
A UGA faculty member since 1992, Dudley received the university’s Creative Research Medal in 2004 in recognition of his work on the treatment and rehabilitation for spinal cord and brain injuries and diseases involving muscle cells such as multiple sclerosis.
He conducted extensive research at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta and helped start a UGA-Shepherd research partnership that became part of the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute.
One result of the research was development of an improved treadmill to help people recuperating from spinal injuries-a device Dudley himself used when he spent several months at the Shepherd Center as a patient after suffering severe injuries in a vehicle accident in 2002.
Dudley received extensive research funding from the National Institutes of Health and was author or co-author of more than 100 research publications. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and was named Outstanding Sport Scientist in 1996 by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Funeral services were held Oct. 3 at Antioch Christian Church in Watkinsville.
