Colleen Muñoz

Education

PhD, University of Connecticut

MS, California State University, Fullerton

BS, California State University, Fullerton

Teaching Focus

Dr. Muñoz teaches upper-level Health Science courses, including Cardiovascular Disease, Introduction to Human Pathology, Principles of Exercise Science, and Research Methods in Health Science. Her teaching emphasizes interactive lectures, collaborative learning, and project-based assignments designed to build students’ critical thinking, scientific writing, and oral communication skills. She also integrates current scientific advances into her courses and provides meaningful experiential learning by engaging undergraduate students directly in her research.

Professional Interests

Dr. Muñoz is the Co-Founder and Director of the Hydration Health Center, established in 2022. Her research focuses on hydration physiology, biomarkers, perception, and related behaviors in both laboratory and field environments. She has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications in hydration science and has received institutional and international recognition for her work, including selection as the 2022 recipient of the University’s prestigious Ribicoff Endowed Professorship and the 2016 Hydration for Health Initiative Young Researcher Award, respectively. Dr. Muñoz has created an interdisciplinary research enterprise that advances scientific discovery while providing exceptional student training. Undergraduate research assistants and honor’s students gain hands-on experience applying classroom knowledge to real-world problems, strengthening their professional preparation and deepening their sense of connection to the university.