Ryan Mays, PhD

Expertise:
Development of novel approaches to improve adoption and adherence to exercise therapy in patients with chronic disease; evaluation of therapeutic methods to improve health-related outcomes in peripheral artery disease; research focused on innovative ways to evaluate cardiorespiratory performance.

• Fellow of the American Heart Association (AHA), 2019
• Fellow of the Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM), 2019
• Blue Ribbon Peer Reviewer, Top reviewer award from the journal Vascular Medicine, 2017
• Jacqueline M. Leaffer Prize in Cardiology, Center for Women's Health Research, 2013
• Student Honoree, 33rd Annual Honors Convocation, University of Pittsburgh, 2008
• Most Outstanding Doctoral Student, Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, 2008
• Honorable Mention Student Research Award, National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) National Conference, 2007
• Student Honoree, 32nd Annual Honors Convocation, University of Pittsburgh 2007
• Most Outstanding Doctoral Minority Award, Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, 2007
• Most Outstanding Doctoral Minority Award, Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, 2006

Editorial Activity

Mays, R. J., & Regensteiner, J. G. (2021). Quantifying meaningful change: Improving how we evaluate functional ability in peripheral artery disease. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 73(1), 277-278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2020.11.016

Schorr, E. N., & Mays, R. J. (2017). Patient perspectives on claudication: An opportunity to improve the adoption and adherence of exercise therapy. Vascular Medicine, 22(5), 385-386. https://doi.org/10.1177/1358863X17722266

Mays, R. J., & Regensteiner, J. G. (2014). Therapy for PAD: Gaps in treating patients with claudication. Circulation, 130(12), 929-931. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.011990

• Northwest Regional Chapter of ACSM, Professional Member, 2014-2018
• CCTSI, Postdoctoral Member, 2009-2012
• Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, Postdoctoral and Student Member, 2009-2012
• National Postdoctoral Association, Affiliate Member, 2009-2012
• NSCA, Student and Professional
• Society of Vascular Medicine, Associate Member
• AHA, Postdoctoral Member; Early Career Member
• University Physicians, Inc., Faculty Member

Mays, R. J., Kahnke, R., Schorr, E. N., & Treat-Jacobson, D. (2023). Relation of non-exercise walking activity with exercise performance in patients with peripheral artery disease: NEW Activity for PAD. Journal of Vascular Nursing, 41(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvn.2022.11.002

Mizner, R. L., Mays, A. A., & Mays, R. J. (2023). Mechanical adaptations in walking using carbon fiber ankle-foot orthoses for patients with peripheral artery disease. Gait & Posture, 101, 14-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.01.008

Mays, R. J., Wesselman, C. W., Brass, E. P., White, R., Creager, M. A., Amato, A., Greenwalt, M., & Hiatt, W. R. (2021). Automated detection of exercise sessions in patients with peripheral artery disease. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 41(3), 176-181. https://doi.org/10.1097/HCR.0000000000000553

Treat-Jacobson, D., McDermott, M. M., Beckman, J., Burt, M., Creager, M., Ehrman, J., Gardner, A., Mays, R. J., Regensteiner, J. G., Salisbury, D., Schorr, E., & Walsh, E. (2019). How to implement supervised exercise therapy for patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease: A science advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 140(13), e700-e710. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000727

Mays, R. J., Mays, A. A., & Mizner, R. L. (2019). Efficacy of ankle-foot orthoses on walking ability in peripheral artery disease. Vascular Medicine, 24(4), 324-331. https://doi.org/10.1177/1358863X19831765

Mays, R. J., Goss, F. L., Nagle, E. F., Gallagher, M., Jr., Haile, L., Schafer, M. A., Kim, K. H., & Robertson, R. J. (2016). Cross-validation of peak oxygen consumption prediction models from OMNI perceived exertion. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 37(10), 831-837. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-103029

Mays, R. J., Hiatt, W. R., Casserly, I. P., Rogers, R. K., Main, D. S., Kohrt, W. M., Ho, P. M., & Regensteiner, J. G. (2015). Community-based walking exercise for PAD: An exploratory pilot study. Vascular Medicine, 20(4), 339-347. https://doi.org/10.1177/1358863X15572725

Mays, R. J., Rogers, R. K., Hiatt, W. R., & Regensteiner, J. G. (2013). Community walking programs for treatment of PAD. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 58(6), 1678-1687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2013.08.034

Mays, R. J., Casserly, I. P., Kohrt, W. M., Ho, P. M., Hiatt, W. R., Nehler, M. R., & Regensteiner, J. G. (2011). Assessment of functional status and quality of life in claudication. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 53(5), 1410-1421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2010.11.092

Invited Presentations

Mays, R. J. (2023, April). Review of AFO trial and publications [Invited talk]. University of Minnesota School of Nursing Research Day Community Partner breakfast, Minneapolis, MN.

Mays, R. J. (2020, November). Exercise as therapy: What we know and what we don't [Invited lecture]. "Tailored Therapy for PAD Comorbidities" panel session at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Virtual Experience.

Mays, R. J. (2019, October). Supervised exercise programs for vascular disease [Invited lecture]. New Cardiovascular Horizons Conference – Updates on Peripheral Vascular Disease, Minneapolis, MN.

Mays, R. J., Mays, A. A., & Mizner, R. L. (2015, June). Effect of ankle-foot orthoses on walking ability and patient-reported outcomes in PAD: The AFO for PAD trial [Invited oral and poster presentations]. 2nd Annual Meeting of the NIH NIGMS, Mountain West Clinical and Translational Research Infrastructure Network, Las Vegas, NV.

Mays, R. J., & Casserly, I. P. (2011). The role of exercise training in treating PAD [Invited tutorial lecture]. ACSM's 58th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

Competitive Presentations

Mays, R. J., Kahnke, R., Schorr, E. N., & Treat-Jacobson, D. (2020, November). Relation of non-exercise walking activity with exercise performance in patients with peripheral artery disease [Poster presentation]. "Walk It Off: Adherence, Surrogate Measures and Implications of Exercise on Cardio-Metabolic Outcomes and Disease" poster session at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions Virtual Experience.

Mays, R. J., Treat-Jacobson, D., & Regensteiner, J. G. (2019, May). Improvement of community-based structured exercise therapy using perspectives of patients with PAD: A mixed-methods study [Best of Science oral presentation]. SVM 30th Annual Scientific Sessions, McLean, VA.

Mizner, R. L., Mays, A. A., & Mays, R. J. (2017). Mechanical adaptations in walking performance using ankle-foot orthoses for patients with PAD [Poster presentation]. 64th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine and 8th World Congress on Exercise is Medicine. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 49(5S), 588.

Mays, R. J., Mays, A. A., & Mizner, R. L. (2016, June). Efficacy of ankle-foot orthoses on walking ability in PAD: The AFO for PAD Trial I [Moderated poster presentation]. Society for Vascular Medicine 27th Scientific Sessions, Long Beach, CA.

Laskin, J. J., & Mays, R. J. (2016, April). The proliferation of accelerometry for the public: Reliability, validity, and utility [Symposia proposal]. Northwest ACSM Annual Meeting, Tacoma, WA.

Mays, R. J., Casserly, I. P., Rogers, R. K., Main, D. S., Hiatt, W. R., Kohrt, W. M., Ho, P. M., & Regensteiner, J. G. (2014). Community-based walking for patients with PAD: A pilot study [Moderated poster presentation]. American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 63(12), A2035.

Award: Supervised Treadmill intervention to Reduce Inflammation and Depression through Exercise in HIV: The STRIDE Pilot Study
Co-Investigator (Lofgren PI)
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Academic Health Center Grant-in-Aid of Research
Award Dates: July 2023 - January 2025

Award: Community-based exercise to improve physical functioning and cardiovascular health following revascularization for peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: Olafson Trust/University of Minnesota Foundation
Award Dates: June 2019 – August 2023

Award: Using smartphone sensory technology to characterize ambulatory patterns of patients with PAD
Co-Principal Investigator: (Wolfson)
Sponsoring Organization: University of Minnesota Academic Health Center Faculty Research Development Grant 
Award Dates: June 2019 – May 2023

Award: A community-based exercise program to improve walking outcomes in patients with PAD
Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: National Institutes of Health (NIH) Division of Loan Repayment – Renewal 
Award Dates: June 2016 – June 2018

Award: A community-based exercise program to improve walking outcomes in patients with PAD
Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) K01 Career Development Award to Promote Faculty Diversity in Biomedical Research (*Tribal Member of the Cherokee Nation)
Award Dates: August 2012 – August 2017 

Award: Community-based walking exercise enhanced by orthoses to improve walking ability in patients with PAD
Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: Pilot Grant
Award Dates: July 2014 – June 2015

Award: A community-based exercise program to improve walking outcomes in patients with PAD
Principal Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: NIH Division of Loan Repayment – New
Award Dates:  August 2013 – July 2015 

Award: A community-based exercise program following endovascular therapy for patients with PAD.
Principle Investigator
Sponsoring Organization: NIH NHLBI F32 Individual Fellowship
Award Dates: July 2011 - June 2012

Award: A community-based exercise program following endovascular therapy for patients with PAD
Principal Investigator: Buttrick
Sponsoring Organization: NIH NHLBI T32 Training Grant 
Award Dates: July 2009 – June 2011

• Development of novel approaches for improving adoption and adherence to exercise in peripheral artery disease
• Signal detection in physical activity
• Perceived exertion and practical assessment methods for cardiorespiratory fitness