NiCole R. Keith, Ph.D., FACSM, is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and the associate dean of faculty affairs in the School of Health & Human Sciences. Dr. Keith is dedicated to research and programming that increases physical activity participation, improves fitness and positively influences health outcomes while addressing health equity. She has served on the IUPUI faculty since 2002 and is also a research scientist at the Center for Aging Research in the IU School of Medicine, as well as a Regenstrief Institute investigator. Dr. Keith was the 2014–16 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) vice president of membership, communication, education and policy. She currently serves as the 2020-2021 ACSM president, on ACSM's Exercise is Medicine^® and American Fitness Index^® Advisory Boards and on several other ACSM committees.

Dr. Keith earned a B.S. in Physical Education from Howard University in 1992, an M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Rhode Island in 1994, a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from the University of Connecticut in 1999, and an M.S. in Clinical Research from Indiana University in 2011. She is trained in physical activity, community and clinical research. Her areas of expertise include health promotion, development and implementation of appropriate physical activity and fitness measures, and sustainable community programs for adult fitness. She has worked with patient populations in Indianapolis for nearly two decades.

COL(R) Francis G. O’Connor, M.D., M.P.H., FACSM, graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Dr. O’Connor earned his degree in Medicine from the State University of New York, Syracuse in 1985, and obtained a Master’s in Public Health from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in 2005. He completed a residency in Family Medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse in 1988 and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Nirschl Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center in Arlington, Virginia in 1992. He is board certified in Family Medicine, Sports Medicine and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound.  Dr. O’Connor currently serves as the medical director, Consortium for Health and Military Performance, and a professor in the Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, USUHS.

COL(R) O’Connor’s military postings included Chief of Family Medicine, Fort Dix, New Jersey (1988-1991); director of Sports Medicine at the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (FBCH) Family Medicine Residency (1992-1996); Sports Medicine Fellowship Director, USUHS (1997-2004); chief of the Family Medicine Department, FBCH (2004-2006); and medical director, Consortium for Health and Military Performance, USUHS (2007-2013), Professor and Chair, Military and Emergency Medicine, (2013-2018). He has been deployed twice; initially as a the ARCENT K Surgeon to Kuwait in 1995, and served one year as a Command Surgeon with Special Operations in the Middle East (SOCCENT/CFSOCC) (2005-2006). 

COL O’Connor has been a leader in sports medicine education and research for the military for over 25 years. Dr. O’Connor has authored over 100 peer reviewed articles in scientific journals and numerous book chapters/technical reports/health promotion resources for the military. In addition, Dr. O’Connor is the editor of 10 texts on sports medicine including, the Textbook of Running Medicine, Sports Medicine for the Primary Care Physician 4th Edition and ACSM’s Sports Medicine: A Comprehensive Review. He is considered an authority on running injuries and a subject matter expert in the areas of exertional heat illness and exertional rhabdomyolysis.

He has been on the board of several leading organizations in sports medicine including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Athletic Association, and he is a past president of the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine. He is a Fellow of ACSM and AMSSM.

COL O’Connor is the recipient of multiple military awards including the Order of Military Medical Merit and the Army “A” Proficiency-designator. He graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in 2001; he was selected for AOA academic recognition in 2005. His military medals include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and the Parachutist Badge. Dr. O’Connor is additionally the recipient of several civilian awards for excellence in sports medicine research and education including the Korey Stringer Institute’s Lifesaving Research Award, presented by the NFL and Gatorade in 2012, an ACSM Citation Award in 2016, and the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine Founder’s Award in 2017.

He and his wife, Janet, also a physician, live in Northern Virginia. His son Ryan, a Clemson graduate, is a construction engineer at LF Jennings, while his son Sean, a University of Virginia graduate, works as an analyst with Deloitte. Brendan, a William and Mary graduate, works as an analyst for Merkle.