People Background
Headshot of Alex Alvarez.

Alex Alvarez MS

Instructor, Researcher, Recruiter

Education

MS, Western Colorado University, Applied Exercise Science and Performance, 2025
BS, Western Colorado University, Clinical Exercise Sports Science, 2024
BA, Western Colorado University, Psychology, 2024

Biography

Alex Alvarez first discovered Western Colorado University in 2018 and began his undergraduate journey here in 2019. Drawn by the wrestling program’s history and achievements, he earned a scholarship to wrestle. While at Western, the adventurous culture of the Colorado mountains led Alex to call Gunnison home.

As he completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Alex found countless opportunities to grow, from conducting research to instructing courses he developed a passion for teaching. One of the highlights of his career was completing his master’s thesis with the support of a close-knit cohort and a faculty that inspired him from the start. Today, he’s proud to work alongside those same faculty members as a colleague.

Alex’s academic focus lies in human physiology and performance, with a particular passion for research. He thrives in collaborative environments where ideas are exchanged, assumptions are challenged, and innovative solutions for human health and performance can emerge.

Beyond the classroom and lab, Alex finds joy in Gunnison’s natural beauty and tight-knit community. Whether hiking, camping, or simply running into familiar faces around town, he embraces the sense of connection and adventure the Gunnison Valley offers.

Courses Taught

BIOL 150
BIOL 372
BIOL 495
ESS 605

External Professional Affiliations

I have conducted studies on a range of interventions such as Alete Nutrition’s electrolyte fastchews, blood flow restriction (BFR), ischemic preconditioning (IPC), and recovery methods aimed at understanding and enhancing human health and performance.