Our Alumni
John Griffin
John Griffin came to the University at Buffalo to study civil engineering—which he did for a year. Realizing his heart wasn’t in it, he began exploring other interests.
“As an avid runner, one of these interests was how exercise and nutrition could be implemented to improve sport performance,” said Griffin.
“After discovering the exercise science program offered at UB, I decided that there could be no better way to discern fitness fact from fiction than by studying the relationship between human physiology and exercise academically.”
Program Versatility and Flexibility
Once in the exercise science and nutrition program, he learned the value of its versatility for careers or as preparation for professional programs such as physical therapy or medicine.
“The elective choices allow students to build the program around their interests while the core courses provide a solid foundation in physiology and exercise prescription,” he said. “I personally took advantage of the program’s flexibility by pursuing a biology minor with my elective choices and expanding into the study of nutrition science.”
Originally drawn to UB because of its program diversity and affordability, Griffin said he has grown to appreciate the vastness of the university. “When I was deciding on schools, I was intimidated by the size but, upon attending, I found that it is the size that makes UB great. There is so much opportunity at a large institution.”
Room to Explore
Griffin explored those opportunities and advises current and prospective students to do the same. “Not only are there a plethora of clubs to join—Schussmeisters is a favorite of mine—but there are a multitude of options available academically as well,” he said. “I have taken courses from departments far outside of exercise science, including geology and media study. You should not limit yourself to choosing classes that will only count towards your major. To make the most of your stay at UB, you should explore all your interests. You will find that the diversity is not only refreshing but beneficial.”
Griffin graduated in 2012 and is now pursuing a PhD in nutrition. “Nutrition science is a fascinating blend of basic science, clinical and public health research areas. There are many exciting questions that have not been answered in this field, and I hope to spend my career seeking those answers.”
