Dr. Engebretsen is a professor of Exercise Science and Public and Global Health. At WSC, she coordinated the development of a minor in Public and Global Health, authoring a textbook on “Applied Perspectives of Personal, Public, and Global Health." Collaborating with WSC colleagues and regional and global partners, she has coordinated the proposal for a novel interdisciplinary major in One Health Studies with anticipated implementation at WSC in Fall 2024.
Dr. Engebretsen is an active member of professional and service organizations, having held leadership positions in several, including the American Physiological Society, American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Public Health Association and Rotary International.
Dr. E, as she is known by students, is an active member of professional and service organizations, including the American Physiological Society, American College of Sports Medicine, the American Public Health Association, and Rotary International. She has held leadership positions in the Nebraska Physiological Society and Rotary Clubs. She advises the ACSM Exercise Is Medicine on Campus and co-advises the WSC Rotaract clubs, and is very involved with International Student Organization.
She has been honored as the Outstanding Student Presenter Award at the 2003 International Hypoxia Symposium in Banff, Canada, the 2015 State Nebraska Bank Teaching Excellence Award, the Wayne Rotarian of the Year in 2011, 2014, and 2016, and the 2022 Siouxland Women of Excellence Award. She was awarded the Fulbright Global Scholar Award (2017-2018) to address health capacity and promotion with colleagues in Ethiopia and Nepal.
Education
Ph.D., Physiology, Colorado State University, 2003
M.Ed., Exercise Physiology, Colorado State University, 1984
B.A., Biology and Physical Education, University of California-Riverside, 1977
Academic Interests
Dr. Engebretsen's journey of learning has evolved from basic physiology applications in altitude, exercise, and clinical health practices, to a One Health perspective for better understanding and addressing complex health consequences of social, environmental, and historical conditions and exposures. Her humble desire is to facilitate respect, understanding, and collaboration among diverse stakeholders for health and wellbeing of all people, animals, and the planet.
