Nikhil Satchidanand PhD
Nikhil Satchidanand
PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Ageing; Community Based Research; Health Disparities; Translational Research
Professional Summary:
I am a PhD Exercise Physiologist with expertise in exercise physiological research, physiological assessment, motor development, community-based pragmatic trials and translational research, with the overarching aim of promoting successful aging. My research program is focused on the development and implementation of novel, engaging clinical, community-, and home-based exercise- and physical activity-based strategies to reduce frailty and fall risk, while enhancing physical and cognitive function and recovery capacity in older adults.
Through an ongoing partnership with local community organizations dedicated to supporting older adults, I am assessing the impacts of dual-task cognitive-motor exercise training on cognitive and physical function, and dual-task performance among older adults with and without cognitive impairment. I am not only interested in examining physical and cognitive functional outcomes, but also in evaluating novel methods by which to deliver these therapies to older adults in communities with unique strengths and challenges. Acquiring a complete understanding of older adult community members' training experiences, the appeal of training activities, and barriers and facilitators to participation, is a critical part of my work.
Education and Training:
- Fellowship, KL2 Mentored Career Development Award, University at Buffalo State University of New York: Department of Medicine (2018)
- Fellowship, T32 National Research Service Award: Clinical Research in Health Disparity, University at Buffalo State University of New York: Department of Family Medicine (2013)
- PhD, Exercise Physiology, University of Pittsburgh (2010)
- MS, Motor Development, University of Pittsburgh (2006)
- BS, Health and Wellness, State University College at Buffalo (2002)
Employment:
- Assistant Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2018-present)
- Research Scientist, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2013–2018)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2011–2013)
- Research Associate, University at Buffalo, State University of New York (2009–2010)
- Research Coordinator, University of Pittsburgh (2007–2008)
- Research Associate, Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh (2004–2008)
- Health Educator / Coordinator of Volunteers, State University College at Buffalo (1999–2002)
Awards and Honors:
- University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute KL2 Mentored Career Development Award (2016)
Research Expertise:
- Aging and Functional Assessment
- Community Engagement
- Community-based clinical trials
- Dual-Task Exercise Development and Training
- Exercise Physiology
- Exercise Testing and Prescription
- Falls Prevention
- Geroscience
- Motor Development
Research Centers:
- Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC)
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- December 2024–December 2027
The Movers and Makers Program: Implementation and Impacts of a Community-Based Recreational Program to Enhance Cognitive and Physical Functioning in Older Adults
Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
Role: Principal Investigator
$140,000 - January 2022–December 2026
Impacts of Nicotinamide Riboside on functional capacity and muscle physiology in older veterans
Veterans Affairs
Role: Consultant - January 2024–August 2025
Kitchen Table Art
Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
Role: Principal Investigator
$10,000 - March 2021–February 2023
Home-Based Dual-Task Training to Enhance Dual-Task Ability in Older Adults
National Center for Advancing Translational Science
Role: Principal Investigator - June 2021–November 2022
Movers and Makers Program: A Community-based Recreation Program to Improve Cognitive and Physical Function in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
Role: Principal Investigator - October 2018–September 2020
Enhancing functional capacity in older adults with short session high intensity interval training
Veterans Affairs
Role: Co-Investigator
$200,000 - January 2019–August 2019
Primary Care Providers' Perspectives and Practices Surrounding Depression Screening in Older Adults
Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
Role: Principal Investigator
$24,000 - May 2018–January 2019
Primary Care Providers‘ Perspectives and Practices Surrounding Fall Risk Screening in Older Adults
Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
Role: Principal Investigator
$31,000 - August 2015–August 2017
Pneumonia Mortality Risk Index to Support Discussions of Care Options with Elders
AHRQ
Role: Co-Investigator
$112,000
Journal Articles:
- Satchidanand N, Servoss TJ, Singh R, Bosinski AM, Tirpak P, Horton LL, Naughton BJ. (2018) Development of a Risk Tool to Support Discussions of Care for Older Adults Admitted to the ICU With Pneumonia. Am J Hosp Palliat Care (Feb)1049909118-1049909118.
- Satchidanand N, Lawrence M, Jhaveri S, Opalka-Satchidanand S. (2025) Group-based exergaming and artmaking improve cognitive and physical function in older adults: results of a pilot community-based recreation program. Journal of Medical Internet Research: Formative Research (Aug)
- Seldeen KL, Saurav S, Tang Z, Van Sciver A, Treadwell CL, Treanor OP, Satchidanand N, Troen BR. (2025) Provocative Testing In Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Path to Identify Physical Resilience. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences (Aug)
- Seldeen KL, Saqebur Rahman A, Redae Y, Satchidanand N, Mador MJ, Ma C, Soparkar M, Rose Lima A, Ezeilo IN Troen BR. (2024) VO2MAX, 6-minute walk, and muscle strength each correlate with frailty in US veterans. Frontiers in Physiology (Sep)
- Jhaveri S, Romanyk M, Glatt R, Satchidanand N. (2023) SMARTfit dual-task exercise improves cognition and physical function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: results of a community-based pilot study. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (Nov), 31(4): 621-632.
- Satchidanand N, Drake A, Smerbeck A, Hojnacki D, Kolb C, Patrick K, Weinstock-Guttman B, Motl R, Benedict RH. (2018) Dalfampridine benefits ambulation but not cognition in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler (Dec)1352458518-1352458518.
- Luong DTA, Tran D, Pace WD, Dickinson M, Vassalotti J, Carroll J, Withiam-Leitch M, Yang M, Satchidanand N, Staton E, Kahn LS, Chandola V, Fox CH. (2017) Extracting Deep Phenotypes for Chronic Kidney Disease Using Electronic Health Records. EGEMS (Washington, DC) (Jun), 5(1): 9. doi:10.5334/egems.226
- Polsinelli VB, Satchidanand N, Singh R, Holmes D, Izzo JL. (2017) Hypertension and aging in rural Haiti: results from a preliminary survey. J Hum Hypertens (Feb), 31(2): 138-144.
- Satchidanand N, Fine EJ, Cherr G. (2017) A Path Perspective On Bio-psychosocial Predictors of Health Status in Peripheral Arterial Disease. J. Clin. Transl Sci (Jan), 1(1): 73.
- Gudleski GD, Satchidanand N, Dunlap LJ, Tahiliani V, Li X, Keefer L, Lackner JM, . (2017) Predictors of medical and mental health care use in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in the United States. Behaviour research and therapy (Jan), 88: 65-75. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2016.07.006
- Satchidanand N, Withiam-Leitch M, Dickinson M, Pace W, Bublitz-Emmserman C, Allen G, Yang M, Vassalotti J, Arora P, Glasgow P, Fox C. (2016) The Positive Predictive Value of a Single Assessment of eGFR under 60mL/min in the Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease. Southern Medical Journal (Jun), 109(6): 351-355.
- Gudleski GD, Li X, Ma C, Dunlap LJ, Baweja V, Satchidanand N, Keefer L, Lackner JM. (2014) Modeling healthcare utilization in irritable bowel syndrome patients: Distinguishing factors that influence the decision to consult a doctor from those that influence frequency of doctor visits. Gastroenterology (May), 146(5(1)): S224.
- Neumann AM, Blondell RD, Hoey RF, Satchidanand N, Daigler GE. (2014) Differences between Female Adolescents Who Complete and Fail to Complete Residential Substance Abuse Treatment. Annual International Conference on Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology (May)
- Heider AR, Maloney NA, Satchidanand N, Allen GM, Mueller R, Gangloff S, Singh R. (2014) Developing a communitywide electronic health record disease registry in primary care practices: lessons learned from the Western new york beacon community. EGEMS (Washington, DC) (Jan), 2(3): 1089. doi:10.13063/2327-9214.1089
- Satchidanand N, Fox CH, Brunton K, Freudenheim JL, Hassett JM, Naughton BJ, Cherr G. (2013) Exploring Predictors of Walking Ability among Community Dwelling Older Adults. Aging Health (Apr), 9(2): 189-197.
- Lackner JM, Ma CX, Keefer LA, Brenner DM, Gudleski GD, Satchidanand N, Firth R, Sitrin MD, Katz L, Krasner SS, Ballou SK, Naliboff BD, Mayer EA. (2013) Type, Rather Than Number, of Mental and Physical Comorbidities Increases the Severity of Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol (Mar), 11(9): 1147-1157.
- Satchidanand N, Fox CH, Brunton, K., Freudenheim JL, Hassett JM, Naughton BJ, Cherr G. (2013) Exploring Predictors of Walking Ability Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Aging Health (Jan), 9: 189-197.
- Satchidanand N, Lam WY, Gunukula SK, McGuigan DM, New I, Symons AB, Akl EA. (2012) Attitudes of healthcare students and professionals towards patients with physical disability: A systematic review. Amer J of Phys Med and Rehab (Jun)533-545.
- Glasgow PD, Satchidanand N, Kowdley GC. (2012) The predictive value of micrometastasis in nonsentinel lymph nodes. The American surgeon (Jun), 78(6): 669-74.
- Singh R, Anderson D, McLean-Plunkett E, Brooks R, Wisniewski A, Satchidanand N, Singh G. (2012) IT-enabled systems engineering approach to monitoring and reducing ADEs. Am J Manag Care (Mar), 18(3): 169-175.
- Kahn LS, Satchidanand N, Kopparapu A, Goh W, Yale S, Fox CH. (2011) High prevalence of undetected vitamin D deficiency in an urban minority primary care practice. J Natl Med Assoc (May), 103(5): 407-411.
- Satchidanand N, Jhaveri S, Shaw M, Opalka-Satchidanand S. (1900) Does a Group-Based Exergaming and Artmaking Recreation Program Enhance Function and Quality of Life in Aging: Protocol for a Community-Based Project. JMIR Research Protocols (Jan)
- Satchidanand N, Wikerd Z, Hobler A, LaDue B. Lee J. (1900) What Matters to Patients: Common Values Identified by Hospitalized Older Adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology (Jan)
- Satchidanand, Nikhil Shaw, Mary Jahveri, Sameer Buffalo-Niagara YMCA. (1900) Development of a community-university partnership to develop and implement a recreation-based heathy aging program. Journal of Medical Internet Research (Jan)
Professional Memberships:
- Live Well Erie County Task Force (2024–present)
- Gerontological Society of America (2021–2022)
- American Geriatrics Society (2017–present)
- American College of Sports Medicine (2015–present)
Presentations:
- "Physical Resilience in Aging: Potential Applications to Promote Successful Aging" University at Buffalo-Catholic Health Virtual GME Saturday (2024)
- "Dual-Task Exercise and Artmaking to Enhance Function and Quality of Life in Older Adults: Results of a Community-Based Pilot Program" Health Foundation for Western and Central New York Board Meeting (2024)
- "Can Dual-Task Exergaming Help Older Adults Improve Function and Quality of Life?" William-Emslie Family YMCA Community Outreach Event (2024)
- "Development of a Community-Based Recreation Program to Enhance Function and Quality of Life in Older Adults" Igniting Hope: Building a Healthy, Just Community for All (2023)
- "Exploring the Impacts of Exercise on Cognitive Functioning in Aging" Aging Alliance: Answers on Aging Webinar (2023)
- "Dual-Task Exercise Improves Cognitive and Physical Function in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Introduction to the UB-Brothers of Mercy Resilience Center" Brothers of Mercy Board Meeting (2021)
- "Promoting Healthy Aging Through High-Intensity Interval Training" University at Buffalo JSMBS Mini Medical School (2021)
- "SMARTfit Training Improves Balance and Attention in Older Adults" William-Emslie YMCA (2021)
- "ThinkFIT: Training the Body and Mind Together to Support Cognitive Health in Older Adults" University at Buffalo Golden Reunion Event; University at Buffalo, SUNY (2019)
- "Does the Benefit of Dalfampridine for Ambulation in Multiple Sclerosis Generalize to Cognitive Function?" Department of Medicine Research Day; University at Buffalo, SUNY (2018)
- "My Path to the KL2 Mentored Career Development Award and an Introduction to my Research, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Summer Research Program, Buffalo, NY" University at Buffalo Clinical and Translational Science Institute Forum (2017)
- "Exploring Health Related Quality of Life among Elders with Peripheral Arterial Disease: a Path Perspective" Translational Science; Association for Clinical and Translational Science (2017)
- "Development of a Mortality Index to Facilitate Shared Decision-making among Elders Admitted to the ICU with Pneumonia" Translational Science; Association for Clinical and Translational Science (2016)
- "The Positive Predictive Value of a Single Measurement of Glomerular Filtration Rate under 60mL/min in the Diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease." Translational Science; Association for Clinical and Translational Science (2015)
- "Modeling Health Care Utilization in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Patients: Distinguishing Factors That Influence the Decision to Consult a Doctor From Those That Influence Frequency of Doctor Visits" Gastroenterology; Gastroenterology (2014)
- "A Pneumonia Risk Index to Assist Palliative Care Evaluation for Persons Age 75 Years and Older" National Seminar Poster Session; Center to Advance Palliative Care (2013)
- "Factors Predictive of Mortality in Elderly Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit" American College of Physicians Symposium; American College of Physicians (2013)
- "The Predictive Value of Micrometastasis in Non-sentinel Lymph Nodes" Southeastern Surgical Congress Annual Meeting; Southeastern Surgical Congress (2012)
- "Walking Ability is Associated with Chronic Pain, Depression and Overweight among Community Dwelling Older Adults" American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting; American Geriatrics Society (2012)
- "Patterns of Complex Chronic Disease In Two Family Practices Serving Low-income Minority Patients" North American Primary Care Research Group Annual Meeting; North American Primary Care Research Group (2010)
- "Psycho-social Factors Associated with Attainment of Physiological Criteria for Maximal Oxygen Uptake" American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting; American College of Sports Medicine (2009)
- "Development and implementation of a Community-Based Dual-Task Training Program for Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Complaints" University at Buffalo JSMBS Celebration of Scholarship
Service Activities:
- Frontiers in Sport and Active Living; Reviewer (2025–present)
- Media Mention: Prevention Magazine - Scientists Find That Your Grip Strength May Indicate Longevity; Consultant Content Expert (2025)
- Hospice and Palliative Care Buffalo Community Council; Council Member (2024–present)
- Developed and delivered a series of sessions to train community-based exercise interventionists on creating and implementing community-based programs to enhance cognitive and physical functioning in older adults; Presenter (2024–present)
- Geriatrics; Reviewer (2024–present)
- Live Well Erie County: Older Adults Group; Member (2024–present)
- Search committee to hire Chief, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine; Member (2024)
- Scientific Mentor to undergraduate and graduate students, medical students and residents on research methods, analytic techniques and manuscript preparation.; Research Mentor (2024–present)
- Journal of Medical Internet Research; Reviewer (2023–present)
- Community-Based Strategies to Support Healthy Aging: William-Emslie Family YMCA; Educator/Lecturer (2023–2024)
- BMC Trials; Reviewer (2023–present)
- Media Mention: Healthline Article - How Gaining Weight In Your Midsection After 45 Can Affect Your Future Health; Consulted Content Expert (2023–present)
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society; Reviewer (2022–present)
- Journal of Aging and Physical Activity; Reviewer (2022–present)
- Journal of Experimental Gerontology; Reviewer (2021–present)
- JSMBS Celebration of Scholarship; Faculty Facilitator (2020–2021)
- University at Buffalo Center of Excellence in Alzheimer‘s Disease; Clinical Educator (2019–2021)
- Team Alice; Member (2018–present)
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health; Reviewer (2018–present)
- University at Buffalo Center for Successful Aging; Board Member (2018–2022)
- William-Emslie YMCA Senior Center Provide ongoing guidance on development of physical activity-based methods to help older adults improve motor and cognitive function, as part of the YMCA wellness and fitness programming.; Volunteer (2017–present)
- Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise; Reviewer (2017–present)
- University at Buffalo CTSI Community of Scholars; Member (2016–present)
- University at Buffalo GME Scholarly Exchange Day Faculty Facilitator; Other (2012–present)
- Journal of Health and Physical Activity; Reviewer (2011–present)