David Walzik
About the person
Research focus:
My research focuses on the influence of exercise on immune cell metabolism and the resulting adaptation processes in humans. In the context of my PhD, I am investigating the exercise-dependent regulation of different immune cells, especially with respect to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism. Using these fundamental insights into exercise-induced immune regulation and alterations of NAD+ metabolism, my long-term goal is to leverage these findings for clinical populations and objectify the positive impact of exercise as non-pharmacological treatment option in several chronic diseases.
Teaching:
- Sport theory seminar "Inclusion and heterogeneity in school sport", part "diagnosis and individual support I", module G, Bachelor of Education "Sport teaching degree"
- Accompanying seminar, "Introduction to the fields of sports science", module B/II.A, part sports medicine, Bachelor of Education "Lehramt" (teacher training)
Administration:
- Advisor for disadvantage compensation
Occupation
Since April 2024: Research Associate, Department of "Performance and Health (Sports Medicine)", Institute of Sport and Sports Science, Technical University of Dortmund, Germany
Since September 2021: Lecturer, M.Sc. "Sport, Exercise and Nutrition", German Sport University Cologne
Since January 2021: Lecturer, M.A. "Training Science and Sports Nutrition", IST University of Management GmbH, Düsseldorf
May 2020 - March2024: Research assistant, Department of "Performance and Health (Sports Medicine)", Institute of Sport and Sports Science, Technical University of Dortmund, Germany
October 2018 - April 2020: student assistant, department of "Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine", Institute of Circulatory Research and Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany
Education
Since May 2022: PhD student, Department of "Performance and Health (Sports Medicine)", Institute of Sport and Sports Science, TU Dortmund University
Since April 2020: Medical student, University of Cologne
April 2020 - April 2022: Fast-Track Master "Doctoral Preparatory Studies", TU Dortmund University
October 2016 - February 2020: Bachelor of Science "Sport and Performance", German Sport University Cologne
International research experience
September 2019 - February 2020: Research internship, Mechanobiology Research Laboratory, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
March 2019 - May 2019: Internship as a sports therapist, Department of Research and Development, Rehabilitation Center Valens, Valens Clinics, Switzerland
Awards and prizes
July 2022: Travel grant, German Physiological Society, poster contribution for Europhysiology 2022
February 2020: Graduation prize, German Sport University Cologne, Best Graduate 2020.
September 2019: PROMOS scholarship, German Academic Exchange Service, research internship Mechanobiology Research Laboratory, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia.