Education

2014 University of South Florida, B.A.
2016 University of South Florida, M.A.
2021 University of South Florida, M.S.
2025 University of Central Florida, Ph.D.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Exercise Science and Sports Studies
Adult Fitness
Tests and Measurements

Career Specialties

Vasenina studies how nutrition and exercise interact to help the body recover, adapt, and perform at its best. Her work focuses on protein and supplement research—especially collagen—and how these interventions can support muscle and tendon recovery after exercise. She is also interested in understanding muscle damage and recovery in different athletic populations, including tennis players and athletes following plant-based or omnivorous diets.

Professional and Community Activities

Her research explores questions that matter to both athletes and active individuals:

Can collagen supplementation speed up recovery from muscle and tendon strain?
How do different types of protein influence performance and adaptation?
What training and injury patterns emerge in competitive tennis players?

To address these questions, Vasenina has conducted controlled studies on collagen, whey, and plant-based proteins; examined muscle function and recovery in vegan versus omnivore recreational athletes; and tracked the long-term impact of sport specialization in tennis. Beyond the lab, she shares her findings through teaching, public talks, and writing for both academic and general audiences. She has presented at national and international conferences, advised companies on supplement research, and coached athletes on evidence-based nutrition strategies. She also mentors students and participates in community outreach, from STEM festivals to high school science programs.

Honors and Awards

Graduate Research Assistantship, University of Central Florida (2021–Present)
Graduate Teaching Associate, University of South Florida (2020–2021)
Microphyt Research Grant (Doctoral Lead) – $262,000 funded (2024)
College of Education New Researcher Grant (Co-Investigator) – $4,850 funded (2023)
UCF Graduate Student Travel Grant (2022)
Tennis Full Scholarship, University of South Florida (2011–2015)

Personal Website