Landon Deru, PhD, MBA, ATC
Education
- Postdoctoral Fellowship- Physical Activity and Weight Management, University of Kanas Medical Center, 2026
- PhD- Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, 2023
- MS- Exercise Sciences, Brigham Young University, 2020
- MBA- Healthcare Management, Rockhurst University, 2016
- BS- Athletic Training, Weber State University, 2010
Teaching Philosophy
Dr. Deru’s teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment where students feel valued, challenged, and empowered to succeed. He views education as an opportunity to foster curiosity, develop critical thinking, and move students beyond rote memorization toward meaningful understanding and practical application. He prioritizes experiential learning through hands-on activities, clinical scenarios, real-world examples, and collaborative learning that help students connect foundational knowledge to professional practice. As an instructor and mentor, Dr. Deru strives to lead by example, emphasizing honesty, humility, perseverance, and mutual respect while recognizing and supporting the unique needs and goals of each student. Ultimately, his goal is to cultivate independent, confident, and lifelong learners who can thoughtfully apply their knowledge, adapt to evolving challenges, and make meaningful contributions to their professions and communities.
Research
Dr. Deru’s research focuses on improving metabolic health through innovative, evidence-based lifestyle interventions, with an emphasis on the effects of diet and physical activity on insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, body composition, and chronic disease risk. His work investigates metabolic regulation and substrate utilization in response to fasting, refeeding, and exercise, as well as strategies to optimize weight management and preserve muscle mass, particularly among individuals using obesity management medications. He is particularly interested in the interactions between skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, including their roles in glucose metabolism, mitochondrial function, and metabolic adaptation. His research also explores the application of continuous glucose monitoring, remote monitoring technologies, and personalized exercise and nutrition interventions to improve metabolic outcomes across diverse populations, including individuals with chronic health conditions. Through translational clinical research and interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Deru aims to develop practical, scalable strategies that improve metabolic health, physical function, and long-term quality of life while providing meaningful opportunities for student involvement in research.
Outreach
Dr. Deru is actively engaged in the academic community. He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine where he serves on several national- and local chapter-level committees. He is also an ad-hoc reviewer for several journals in his field. As an Eagle Scout, Dr. Deru also serves a local Boy Scout troop.
Biography
Dr. Deru brings an intentionally diverse background in clinical healthcare, sports medicine, business administration, exercise science, research, and education. His professional journey began as a certified athletic trainer with Intermountain Healthcare, where he developed extensive clinical experience, including the unique opportunity to travel internationally with the U.S. Olympic Ski Teams to Finland as a medical provider and interpreter. Driven to expand his understanding of healthcare beyond clinical practice, he earned an MBA from Rockhurst University and subsequently managed a busy dermatology clinic in Kansas City, Missouri, integrating clinical expertise with healthcare administration and leadership. He later pursued graduate training in exercise science, earning both master's and doctoral degrees while developing a research focus on metabolic health, fasting, and exercise. His commitment to advancing translational research led him to a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where he gained experience in large-scale clinical trials, interdisciplinary collaboration, data analytics, and external grant development. Alongside his clinical and research pursuits, Dr. Deru has maintained a strong commitment to teaching and mentorship, with experience instructing courses in anatomy, athletic training, and weight management, as well as mentoring undergraduate researchers and serving as a seminary instructor. Collectively, these experiences have provided him with a broad perspective on human health, professional practice, scientific inquiry, and personal development. He believes that the intersection of these diverse experiences has made him a more thoughtful clinician, a more engaging educator, a more well-rounded researcher, and, most importantly, a better father, with a deeper appreciation for the individual needs, challenges, and opportunities that shape the lives of those he serves.