Matthew Komelski

• Effects of mind-body practice on healthy longevity and resilience
• Best practices for introducing mindfulness to novices and college-aged individuals 
• Best mindfulness-based practice protocol for use with special populations, such as individuals with anxiety and trauma, as well as individuals with age-related chronic and neurological conditions

• Long-term effects of learning mindfulness-based practices in college
• Basic biomarker and brain structure/function research related to Taiji and Qigong practice
• The use of Taiji partner training (novel protocol) to improve balance and reactive recovery in middle-aged and older adults

• B.A.- History, Philosophy and Religious Studies 
• M.A.- Asian Studies (language and mind-body culture in China, Korea, & Japan) 
• M.S. and Ph.D.- Human Development Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

• Director, Adaptive Brain and Behavior Minor, Department of Human Development & Family Science, VT
• Senior Fellow, Honors Residential College, VT
• Member, Advisory Council for First Year Experiences, VT
• Coach, Amateur Athletic Union

• 2020 Excellence in Teaching Award- Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, VT
• 2020 VT Engage Faculty Fellow- VT Engage, VT
• 2019 Learning Systems Innovation and Effectiveness Fellowship (2019)
• 2018 Faculty Scholar- Virginia Tech Graduate Academy of Teaching Excellence
• 2017 Teacher of the Week Award- Center for Instructional Design and Educational Research
• 2016 Favorite Faculty Award- VT Housing and Residence Life
• 2014 Favorite Faculty Award- VT Housing and Residence Life
• 2013 Favorite Faculty Award- VT Housing and Residence Life
• 2012 Excellence in Access and Inclusion Award- Office of Services for Students with Disabilities and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion
• 2011 IDDL: Enterprise fund $2,500- Development of Stage I of an interactive interface for learning mindbody practices online. (PI Dr. Ico Bukvic)
• 2011 CIDER: Instructional Enhancement Grant $2,000 (co-applicant Dr. Shannon Jarrott)
• 2010 Vetra R. & Jay A. Mancini Research Prize: Department of Human Development, VT

Komelski, M. F., Shankar, M., Allen, K. R., Janac, B. R., (2022) Challenges, Adaptation, and Learning in an Immersive Mindfulness-Based Practices Course: College Student Perspectives. Educational Review. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131911.2022.2146056

Munro, S., Komelski, M., Lutgens, B., Lagoy, J. and Detweiler, M., 2019. Improving the Health of Veterans Though Moving Meditation Practices: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study. Journal of Veterans Studies, 5(1), pp.16–23. http://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v5i1.128

Komelski, M. F., Blieszner, R., & Miyazaki, Y. (2016). Curriculum, practice and diet predict health among experienced Taiji and Qigong practitioners. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 22, 154-159. http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2015.0071

Komelski, M. F, Blieszner, R., & Miyazaki, Y. (2012). Comparing the health status of US Taijiquan and qigong practitioners to a national survey sample across ages. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 18, 281–286. http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2011.0008

Komelski, M. F., & Kim, K. Y. (2012). Taiji self-care: Program development for extended care nursing staff at a local Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Federal Practitioner, 29, 9-14.