Dr. Jason Gillis is a professor in the Human Performance Laboratory within the Department of Sport & Movement Science at Salem State University. He specializes in human applied physiology and research methods, mentoring students as they explore the science of performance. An environmental physiologist by training, Jason’s research focuses on how menthol influences human temperature regulation, perception, and athletic performance.

Jason’s academic journey spans multiple countries. He earned his BSc (Hon.) in Kinesiology from Dalhousie University (Canada), followed by a Master’s degree from KU Leuven (Belgium) and the Norwegian School of Sports Science (Norway). He then completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Physiology at the University of Portsmouth (England) while working with the Research and Innovation Team at UK Sport in preparation for the Beijing and London Olympic Games.

Beyond academia, Jason is deeply passionate about Exercise science, and athletic performance. With a background in mixed martial arts, he has a particular interest in the science behind combat sports and optimizing performance under extreme conditions. Whether in the lab, the classroom, or the arena, Jason brings a unique blend of scientific expertise and hands-on experience to his teaching and research.