Carl V. Gisolfi, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Exercise Science and Physiology and Biophysics received his B.S. degree from Manhattan College in 1964 and his Ph.D. in Physiology from Indiana University in 1969. He joined The University of Iowa faculty in 1968, was promoted to associate professor in 1975 and to professor in 1981. Throughout his career, he held dual appointments in Exercise Science and Physiology and Biophysics. In 1975 he was recognized as Teacher of the Year in the College of Medicine and in 1996 was named one of the University's Distinguished Professors. His enthusiasm for his subject matter was contagious and his affection for his students well known. He was a highly productive scientist and internationally recognized for his work in thermoregulation and gastrointestinal function. He published over 100 articles in physiology journals and was the author of nine textbook chapters and one book. His last major publication was The Hot Brain published by the MIT Press in 2000.

Carl's service to his profession was exemplary. He served as president of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and received the ACSM's highest honor award in 1995. He was chairman of the ACSM Research Foundation and played a major role in establishing the foundation as an important source for research funding. In addition, he served as chairman of the American Physiological Society Section on Environmental and Exercise Physiology. He was an associate editor for the Journal of Applied Physiology and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. In 2000, he was selected to present the prestigious Adolph Lecture at the Experimental Biology meeting.

Dr. Gisolfi married Louise Petrash. Carl and Louise had three daughters, Kirsten, Tanya and Nicole. Those that knew Carl held him in the highest regard for he was a gentleman and a scholar. He greeted everyone with a smile and although he battled a nine-year illness and impending death, his courage was remarkable. In spite of horrendous odds against him, he never complained and remained positive to the day of his death. His only concern to the very end was simply how his problems might affect others. He died in June, 2000.