Barbara Engebretsen, Ph.D.
Professor
Department:Health, Human Performance, and Sport
Office:Rice Auditorium 013B
Phone:402-375-7044
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Barbara Engebretsen is a professor of One Health and exercise science at Wayne State College. She coordinated the development of a minor in Public and Global Health implemented in 2016 and a novel interdisciplinary major in One Health Studies that prepares students for a wide range of human, animal, environmental, and social health careers in 2024. With input from WSC honors students, she published a textbook in 2023 on “Applied Perspectives of Personal, Public, and Global Health.”
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 and advises the WSC Exercise Is Medicine on Campus and Rotaract clubs. She is also the advisor for UNMC College of Public Health RHOP students.
Engebretsen was honored as the Outstanding Student Presenter at the 2003 International Hypoxia Symposium in Banff, Canada, the Wayne Rotarian of the Year in 2011, 2014, and 2016, and has received the 2015 State Nebraska Bank Teaching Excellence Award, the 2022 Siouxland Women of Excellence Award, and in 2025 the Student Senate Professor of the Year Award. In 2018-19, she was a Fulbright Global Scholar to address health capacity and youth empowerment with colleagues in Nepal and Ethiopia.
Engebretsen's journey of learning has evolved from basic physiology applications in altitude, exercise, and clinical health practices, to the One Health perspective for better understanding and addressing complex health issues. Her ultimate desire is to facilitate respect, understanding, collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and ultimately the humility to keep learning for the health and well-being of all people, animals, and the planet.
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