She is also the associate director of the University of Pittsburgh Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (NMRL) and Warrior Human Performance Research Center. Beals completed her PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh and her Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition at Drexel University. She is a registered dietitian and board certified specialist in sports dietetics. Her research interests and involvement focus on: 1) the use of foods and nutrients to improve diet quality, physical performance and body composition and reduce systemic inflammation, 2) identifying body composition factors related to reducing musculoskeletal injuries and improving physical performance, 3) evaluating the impact diet has on a healthy gut microbiome and metabolome and how that affects overall health, recovery and resiliency.