The annual Kevser Ermin Memorial Lecture in Health and Kinesiology will take place April 3, featuring guest speaker Kathleen Janz, professor of health promotion at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Janz’s speech, entitled “Jump Starting Bone Health” will focus on the relationship between physical activity and bone health.
Internationally recognized as a researcher in areas of physical activity and health promotion, Janz was selected as the guest speaker for her close connections with Kevser Ermin, former doctoral student from Turkey in the health, exercise science and recreation management department. In 2011, Ermin was killed by a motorist while cycling on Old Sardis Road.
“She was an accomplished academic, athlete and volunteer; a daughter, sister, wife and aunt who cherished her family, both in Oxford and back in her native Turkey,” said Michael Upton, director of development for the School of Applied Sciences.
Similar to that of Janz, Ermin’s area of interest was in physical activity and bone health. Ermin developed her master’s thesis on the relationship between playing tennis and bone health.
Upton said the annual lecture series is a chance for faculty, students and area professionals to interact and learn from a leader in the field of health sciences.
“It is important for students to come because they will have the opportunity to hear an internationally recognized researcher speak on an important health-related topic,” said Scott Owens, associate professor of health, exercise science and recreation management.
Owens said he thinks the lecture may also serve as motivation for audience members to become more physically active.
Ermin’s family has made donations to The University of Mississippi Foundation that directly support the lectureship series.
“Kevser’s family saw the annual memorial lecture as a way to perpetuate Kevser’s legacy of promoting physical activity for better health,” Owens said.
Thursday’s lecture is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m. in Bondurant 204C.
