Meet the Directors

Dr. Claudio Battaglini is a new assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Department of Exercise and Sport Science. Prior to his arrival to Chapel Hill, Dr. Battaglini conducted research on exercise and cancer as a graduate student at the University of Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute. This work has culminated into published research articles involving the management of cancer treatment related symptoms throughout the administration of prescriptive exercise intervention. Dr. Battaglini has presented his work nationally and internationally, and is currently implementing a cancer and exercise line of research at UNC-CH, collaborating with the UNC-CH Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, UNC-CH Hospitals, Navitas Cancer Rehabilitation Centers of America, Inc., and the UNC-CH Department of Exercise and Sport Science. The Phase I research projects include the administration of prescriptive exercise intervention for in-hospital and in-treatment leukemia patients, in-treatment lung cancer out-patients, in-hospital bone marrow transplant patients, and  two observational studies involving the analysis of a panel of 25 different cytokines and the relationship of the these inflammatory proteins on the development of muscular fatigue in different cancer populations. Prior to Dr. Battaglini’s involvement in cancer and exercise research, he was an international level endurance sports coach, with some of his athletes achieving World Champion top rankings, Pan-American Champion status, and Olympic Game appearances. (Click here to see a profile of some of the athletes he coached). 

Dr. Diane Groff is an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH), Department of Exercise and Sport Science. Prior to her arrival at UNC-CH she was an assistant professor of Recreation Therapy at East Carolina University. Her research has focused on the effects of recreation therapy and adapted sports on individuals with disabilities. She specifically focuses on the impact of these interventions on identity, physical self-perceptions and quality of life. Her publications appear in Therapeutic Recreation Journal, Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, and Journal of Sport Behavior. Her work also appears in numerous edited books including Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation, Trends in Therapeutic Recreation, and Leisure Services in North Carolina. In addition Dr. Groff has presented at numerous national and international recreation therapy conferences. She currently serves on the Physical Activity Board for the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health, is the committee chair for the Carolina Leadership Development Advisory Council, and is a co-chair on the registration committee for the 2006 N.C. Triangle Race for the Cure. She also is the faculty advisor to the Chapel Hill Adapted Sports Experience which is a student led group that is dedicated to increasing opportunities for UNC-CH students with disabilities to be more physically active. Dr. Groff also has an extensive background in adventure recreation where she has served as a ropes course facilitator, rock climbing instructor, whitewater canoe instructor and raft guide for a variety of populations.