Dain LaRoche
Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Professor, Rehabilitation and Movement Science
- Ph.D., Exercise and Sport Science, University of Utah
- M.S., Exercise Science, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
- B.S., Kinesiology: Exercise Science, University of New Hampshire
CNHS Dean's Office, Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science
Areas of expertise
Technology for dementia care, exercise program delivery, assistance for independent living, and rural health; neuromuscular, metabolic, and biomechanical function effects on mobility and fall risk in older adults; neuromuscular responses to exercise, strength and power asymmetry, passive-elastic muscle-tendon unit properties.
BIO
Dain LaRoche is Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Professor of Rehabilitation and Movement Science. He came to UVM in 2026 after 19 years at the University of New Hampshire where he served as Associate Dean for Research in the College of Health and Human Services and Professor and Chair of Kinesiology. Dr. LaRoche received his B.S. in Kinesiology: Exercise Science from the University of New Hampshire in 1996, M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 1998, and Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Utah in 2004. Dr. LaRoche’s current research aims to develop assistive robotics and wearable sensors for dementia care, exercise program delivery, assistance for independent living, and physical performance assessment. He has studied the interplay of neuromuscular, metabolic, and biomechanical function in the limitation of mobility of older adults and neuromuscular responses to exercise, strength asymmetry, and passive-elastic muscle-tendon unit properties. Dr. LaRoche is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a Past President of the New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, and serves on the Gait & Posture journal editorial board. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.
Publications
Awards and Achievements
- Innovative Research on Aging Bronze Award, Mather Institute, 2022
- Chase Faculty Scholar, University of New Hampshire, 2013
- Teaching Excellence Award, University of New Hampshire, 2012
- Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, 2011
- Torch Bearer, Olympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, 2002
Bio
Dain LaRoche is Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and Professor of Rehabilitation and Movement Science. He came to UVM in 2026 after 19 years at the University of New Hampshire where he served as Associate Dean for Research in the College of Health and Human Services and Professor and Chair of Kinesiology. Dr. LaRoche received his B.S. in Kinesiology: Exercise Science from the University of New Hampshire in 1996, M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 1998, and Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Utah in 2004. Dr. LaRoche’s current research aims to develop assistive robotics and wearable sensors for dementia care, exercise program delivery, assistance for independent living, and physical performance assessment. He has studied the interplay of neuromuscular, metabolic, and biomechanical function in the limitation of mobility of older adults and neuromuscular responses to exercise, strength asymmetry, and passive-elastic muscle-tendon unit properties. Dr. LaRoche is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, a Past President of the New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, and serves on the Gait & Posture journal editorial board. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation.
Publications
Awards and Achievements
- Innovative Research on Aging Bronze Award, Mather Institute, 2022
- Chase Faculty Scholar, University of New Hampshire, 2013
- Teaching Excellence Award, University of New Hampshire, 2012
- Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, 2011
- Torch Bearer, Olympic Winter Games, Salt Lake City, 2002