Dr. Victor Romano is a distinguished academic and practitioner specializing in kinesiology, exercise science, and sport performance. With over 20 years of experience in academic instruction, research, and applied practice, Dr. Romano is a recognized expert in human and sport performance.
Dr. Romano holds a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) in Kinesiology from Drexel University, a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Physical Education from Gardner-Webb University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Pennsylvania Western University. His academic qualifications are further enhanced by an array of professional certifications, including Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP) from the American College of Sports Medicine. Additionally, he holds certifications in corrective exercise, kinesio taping, fitness nutrition, and sport performance analysis.
Currently, Dr. Romano serves as an Associate Professor for the PhD in Health Sciences program and Concentration Track Director for Human and Sport Performance. In this role, he mentors doctoral candidates and spearheads cutting-edge research in areas such as human performance optimization, injury prevention, and exercise science. His previous academic appointments include serving as an Associate Professor and Program Director for Exercise Science at Catawba College, where he played a pivotal role in developing a state-of-the-art human performance laboratory and launching a Master’s program in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. His leadership resulted in a more than 200% increase in student enrollment and significant program growth.
Dr. Romano’s research focuses on sport performance analysis, injury prevention, nutrition, and the integration of emerging technologies in sport science. He has contributed extensively to peer-reviewed publications and presented at numerous national and international conferences, with a particular emphasis on improving athletic performance, wearable fitness technologies, and evidence-based injury management strategies.
Beyond academia, Dr. Romano has an impressive background in applied sports performance, working with professional and Olympic athletes across disciplines such as football, basketball, track and field, and swimming. His expertise as a sport performance analyst, strength and conditioning coach, and medical team member for national track and field events highlights his commitment to elevating athlete performance at all levels.Dr. Romano is coming to RMU from Catawba College, where he served as the Program Chair of Exercise Science. At Catawba College he successfully grew and transformed the Exercise Science program, oversaw recruitment, curriculum development, and designing and establishing a state-of-the-art human performance laboratory. He also works with the Athletics Department as a Sport Performance Analyst. In this role he works with Men’s and Woman’s Soccer and Volleyball teams collecting, coordinating, analyzing, and interpreting data in relation to athlete development data. He uses this information to assist in establishing benchmark information to enable monitoring and reporting of student-athlete efforts to enhance physical preparation, injury prevention, and recovery programs.
Dr. Romano’s research interests are in sport performance, nutrition (sport and population), and health inequalities. Most recent publications include “An examination of WHOOP fitness band usage in college athletics” and “The effects of a posture compression shirt on performance in female college volleyball players.”