Joanne Donoghue, Ph.D, ACSM-CEP, serves as the Director of Clinical Research and a Professor at the New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Old Westbury, NY.
Donoghue has been at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) since 1998 and has dedicated her expertise to the study of exercise physiology and nutrition.
Her extensive clinical research over the past 25 years has resulted in over 21 peer-reviewed publications, contributing significantly to the field of esports medicine. She has also presented her findings at 29 conferences, both nationally and internationally.
Donoghue has emerged as a leading figure in the field of esports medicine, conducting pioneering research in this area. Her groundbreaking work has earned her recognition as a keynote speaker on multiple occasions. She has received funding from renowned organizations such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the American Osteopathic Association, The Marfan Foundation, General Electric, Fntic, Secret Lab, and the National Institute of Health. She has gained recognition on various radio and news platforms, both domestically and internationally in the field of health and esports.
Beyond her research endeavors, Donoghue is an accomplished athlete, having completed numerous marathons, triathlons, and the Ironman twice.
Donoghue currently serves as a board member on the Esport Research Network, she holds the position of Associate Editor for The Journal of Electronic Gaming and Esports, and serves as a member of the American College of Sports Medicine Research Committee for the Greater New York region.
Recent Projects & Research
- Objective Assessment of Healthy Lifestyle Compliance with Public Health Guidelines in Collegiate eSport Athletes
- Oxidative Stress and Hormone Biomarkers in Collegiate eSport Athletes
- Physiological Changes that Occur after Prolonged eSport Play
- Metabolic Differences in Middle Distance and Long Distance Recreational Female Runners
- FIT-PHYSICIANS: A Novel Physical Activity Integration Program to Improve Fitness and Activity in Medical Students
- Metabolic and Body Composition Changes in Parkinson’s Disease Subjects Compared to Non-Parkinson Disease Subjects
Scholarly Work
- Novel ways to reduce injury through physical activity in competitive esport players and young video game players
- Metabolics and body composition changes in recreational and competitive female athletes
- The role of physical activity in providing therapy in chronic diseases, focus includes Parkinson's disease, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and geriatrics
- Campus activities and clinical interventions to promote physical activity and lifestyle modifications
Selected Publications
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Southard V, Margulies M, Jung MK, Allera A, Riley B. J Assessment of gastrointestinal function and its' effect on bone mineral density and body composition in hypermobility spectrum disorder and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Clin Densitom. 2022 Jul 28:S1094-6950(22)00058-0. DOI: 10.1016/j.jocd.2022.07.005. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35945116.
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., Schmidt, JG., Stafrace, KM., Balentine, JR. Editorial: Esports: Playing Into the Future. Front. Sports Act. Living, 08 July 2022. Sec. Movement Science and Sport Psychology doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.967560
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J., Chan, T., Jensen, A.S. et al. The Effect of Pedal Pump Lymphatic Technique Versus Passive Recovery Following Maximal Exercise: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial. Sports Med – Open 8, 8 (2022). doi.org/10.1186/s40798-021-00402-x
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Jenny SE, Douris PC, et al. Breaking up prolonged sitting with a 6 min walk improves executive function in women and men esports players: a randomised trial. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2021;7:e001118. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001118
- Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue, William G. Werner, Peter Douris, Hallie Zwibel, Esports players, got muscle? Competitive video game players' physical activity, bodyfat, bone mineral content and muscle mass in comparison to matched controls. Journal of Sport and Health Science (2020). doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2020.07.006
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Balentine J, Schmidt G, et al. Managing the health of the eSport athlete: an integrated health management model. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2019;5:e000467.doi:10.1136
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue J, Min-Kyung Jung, Alexander Stangle, William G. Werner, Hallie Zwibel, Patricia Happel, Jerry Balentine, Utilizing wearable technology to increase physical activity in future physicians: A randomized trial. Prev Med Rep. 2018 Dec; 12: 122–127. Published online 2018 Sep 11. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.09.004
- DiFrancisco-Donoghue, J. Rabin, E, Lamberg, EM, Werner, WG. Effects of Tyrosine on Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Movement Disorder Clinical Practice Oct. 2014. Epub ahead of print. dx.doi.org/10.1002/mdc3.12082
Honors and Awards
- Secret Lab Inc. 2023 – Principal Investigator. "Examining differences between different types of gaming chairs"
- General Electric (GE) 2023 – Principal Investigator. "Effects of chronic PC gaming on the muscle-strength relationship in the dominant and nondominant forearms"
- Fnatic Inc. – Investigator. "The impact of upper body compression wear on muscle tissue oxygen saturation in video game play in competitive gamers."
- "The impact of lower leg compression sleeves on endothelial function and blood flow in extended video game play"
- The Marfan Foundation Clinical Research Grant, 2021. "Assessing Gastrointestinal Function and its effect on Bone Mineral Density in Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome"
- American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Research Grant, 2018. "A novel lifestyle intervention program to improve body composition and chronic disease biomarkers in overweight medical students: A randomized trial"
- Michael J Fox Foundation Rapid Response Innovation Award, 2013. "The effects of supplementing tyrosine on orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson’s disease"
Courses Taught at New York Tech
- Biomarkers of Aging
- Introduction to Exercise Physiology
- The Obesity Crisis
- Exercise and the Lower Back