Laura Stewart

PhD, Purdue University, 2005
Area of Study: Interdisciplinary Program in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition

MS, Purdue University, 2000
Area of Study: Health Promotion

BS, Colorado State University, 1998
Area of Study: Exercise Science

BS, University of Mary Washington, 1996
Area of Study: Biology

Professor, University of Northern Colorado
(2018 – Present)

Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado
(2015 – 2017)

Adjunct Assistant/Associate Professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
(2007 – 2016)

Associate Professor, Louisiana State University
School of Kinesiology (2013-2014)

Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University
School of Kinesiology (2007-2013)

Postdoctoral Fellow, Adipocyte Signaling Laboratory
NIH-T-32 Botanical Training Program (2005-2007)

Areas of Interest

Exploring the relationship between cannabis compounds and physical and mental health.

Optimizing health and human performance using complementary and integrative techniques.

Recent Publications

• Flores V, Ramani A, Rodriguez E, Hayward R, Stewart LK. Use of Complementary and Integrative Medicine Among Cancer Survivors in Exercise Rehabilitation – A Cross Sectional Analysis. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine (2025).  http://dx.doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2504054
• Bell ER, Elias B, Gutierrez SM, Stewart LK. The effects of an acute dose of cannabidiol on health and two-mile time trial performance – a pilot study. Nutrients. (2025). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18010029
• Pastina JT, Stewart LK. Nootropic Supplements and Exercise: Patterns and Perceptions of Cognitive Enhancer Use in Physically Active Individuals. Journal of Dietary Supplements. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2025.2589784
• Townsend R, Ramani A, Rodriguez E, Haughian JM, and Stewart LK. Low dose daily CBD beverage consumption for eight weeks does not improve physical and mental health measures in healthy individuals: A randomized clinical trial. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Integrative. (2024). 7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbii.2024.100079
• Ramani A, Townsend R, Rodriguez E, Haughian JM, and Stewart LK. Daily cannabidiol and L-theanine beverage consumption does not alter anxiety, fatigue, cognitive function, or natural killer cell function. A randomized, controlled trial in healthy, young adults. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Integrative. (2024). 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbii.2024.100045
• Kisiolek JN, Flores VA, Ramani A, Butler B, Haughian JM, Stewart LK. Eight Weeks of Daily Cannabidiol Supplementation Improves Sleep Quality and Immune Cell Cytoxicity. Nutrients (2023). 15(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194173
• Flores VA, Kisiolek JN, Ramani A, Townsend R, Rodriguez E, Butler B, Stewart LK. Effects of Oral Cannabidiol on Health and Fitness in Healthy Adults: An 8 Week Randomized Trial. Nutrients. (2023). 12(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122664.
• ⁺Lisano J, Kisiolek J, Flores V, Smoak P, Pullen N, Stewart LK. Chronic Cannabis Use is Associated with Altered Monocyte Phenotype, Immune Response, and Depression in Physically Active Individuals. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. (2023). 101(6). https://doi.org/10.1139/cjpp-2022-0451   ⁺ Editor’s Choice
• Lisano J, Flores V, Kisiolek J, Stewart LK. Regular Use of Cannabis in Female Athletes is Associated with a Reduction in Early Anaerobic Power. Journal of Strength and Conditioning. (2023). 37(3). 612-622. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004297.
• Kisiolek JN, Kheredia N, Flores V, Ramani A, Lisano J, Johnston N, Stewart LK. Short Term, Oral Supplementation with Optimized Curcumin Does Not Impair Performance Improvements Associated with High Intensity Interval Training. Journal of Dietary Supplements. (2022). 19(6). 733-746. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2021.1936335.
• Smoak P, Harman N, Flores V, Kisiolek J, Pullen NA, Lisano J, Hayward R. Stewart LK. Kefir is a Viable Exercise Recovery Beverage for Cancer Survivors Enrolled in a Structured Exercise Program. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. (2021). 53(10). 2045-2053.
• Smoak P, Flores V, Harman N, Lisano J, Hayward R, Stewart LK. Structured Exercise in Cancer Survivors: Is it Enough for Neural, Mental Health and Well-being? International Journal of Exercise Science. (2021). 14(3). 162-176.