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Arnold School of Public Health

  • Callie Unrein

I Am Public Health: Callie Unrein

August 1, 2025 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu

Callie Unrein’s interest in women’s health began when she was playing softball at Truman State University – just three hours Northwest of her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. The exercise science major was noticing a disconnect between the advice her coaches gave her and the research she was reading in class.

“I became curious about optimizing performance, particularly for women, and joined several research projects with my mentor to understand more about women’s health,” Unrein says. “Over time, I’ve refined my interests to focus on exercise and nutrition as strategies to improve body composition and metabolism across the lifespan from a women’s health perspective.”

Mentorship truly shapes your experience. In mentorship-driven programs like you find at USC, it’s important to identify a potential mentor before applying and, if possible, secure your spot in their lab early. That foundation can make a big difference.

Callie Unrein, M.S. in Exercise Science '25

Determined to build on these experiences, a rich research and mentorship environment was a major priority for Unrein as she began looking at master’s programs. During her search for M.S. in Exercise Science programs, she connected with a few faculty members across various universities and research focuses.

“I was surprised to learn that two of them were not only leaders in the field but also former collegiate athletes from my undergraduate university,” says Unrein, who found her primary mentor in exercise science assistant professor Katie Hirsch. “I chose USC because of the opportunity for personalized and meaningful mentorship, and I feel fortunate to be part of a strong mentorship lineage and proud to be learning from leaders in the field.”

During her master’s program, Unrein received essential training from Sarah Schumacher in the Clinical Exercise Research Center – a key resource for the department and the greater university/Columbia community for conducting scientific research. She also immersed herself in the research projects taking place in Hirsch’s Sustain Lab, which often worked closely with exercise science department chair Shawn Arent’s Sport Science Lab.

Callie Unrein
Callie Unrein is a graduate of the M.S. in Exercise Science program and will begin the Ph.D. program this fall.

“Dr. Hirsch has been the most influential figure in my graduate training, creating a lab culture grounded in excellence, support and grace throughout each stage of the learning process,” Unrein says. “Dr. Arent has also played a significant role in my development. I’ve learned a great deal from his expertise and coursework, and he’s been a strong source of support – introducing me to various opportunities, particularly to a broad professional network.”

Unrein says these experiences have provided her with a strong foundation in research, a diverse skill set and meaningful relationships. She’s looking forward to continuing these collaborations during her doctoral program, which begins this fall. Unrein has also been selected to join USC’s Behavioral-Biomedical Interface Program – a National Institutes of Health T32 pre-doctoral research training program.

“I have greatly enjoyed having Callie in the lab and getting to play a role in her development as a researcher,” Hirsch says. “She has a lot of potential, and I am excited she chose to continue her academic and research journey here at USC. She contributes a lot to our team and what we are growing – can’t wait to see what the next four years holds for her.”

After completing her Ph.D. in Exercise Science, she plans to pursue an industry-based career focused on research and development. Unrein will use her advanced research training to design rigorous, ethical and methodologically sound studies that drive innovation to improve women’s health. Through her work and connections at the Sustain Lab, she’s already held an internship in Scientific Affairs at Bonafide Health, further cementing her interest in this path.

“Mentorship truly shapes your experience,” Unrein advises students considering graduate studies. “In mentorship-driven programs like you find at USC, it’s important to identify a potential mentor before applying and, if possible, secure your spot in their lab early. That foundation can make a big difference.”

“At the same time, it’s important to understand that grad school is a grind,” she adds. “You’re taking on the responsibility and intensity that comes with a graduate-level experience at an R1 institution. There’s beauty in that grind, but it helps to go in with realistic expectations. Surround yourself with friends who uplift you and make time for the things you enjoy. It may seem small but maintaining that balance is essential for your well-being and longevity in the program.”



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