Philip Ferrara PA-S, MS, CSCS

Bozeman, Montana

Education & Certifications

Rocky Mountain College

M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies – August, 2023

Montana State University

M.S. in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Sciences – May, 2018

3.9 GPA

Thesis: Change in Finger Force Production and Muscle Activation in the Forearms of Rock Climbers During Treadwall Climbing

University of Georgia

B.S. in Dietetics – May, 2014

Cum Laude, 3.5 GPA

Hope Scholarship: Fall 2009 - Spring 2013

Dean’s List: Fall 2009, Fall 2013

 

National Strength and Conditioning Association

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (C.S.C.S.)

American Red Cross

CPR/AED Certified

ServSafe® Certified

WORK EXPERIENCE

Coaching and Outreach

Founder, Head Coach

Mountain Sport Performance

January 2018 – Current

  • One-on-one personal training for mountain athletes (e.g. rock climbers, skiers, trail runners).

  • Individualized 4-, 8-, and 12-week programming for client’s goals.

  • Conducting exercise and nutritional needs assessments

  • Creation of educational material, online promotional material and branding.

Asst. Head Coach, Personal Trainer, Lecturer

Spire Climbing Center

Manager: Shauna Yahires

(406) 586-0706

July 2016 – Current

  • Coaching team of 15 national-level competitive youth athletes

  • Programming long-term exercise protocols for biannual competition season

  • Critiquing technique, identifying muscular imbalances and maintaining a well-rounded team.

  • Nutrition assessments and recommendations to fit macronutrient needs of each athlete

  • Lecturing youth team and public on topics such as:

    • Nutrition for Performance Rock Climbing

    • Bioenergetics of Rock Climbing

    • Physiology of Climbing Fatigue

    • Biomechanics of Climbing Technique

    • Trail Nutrition

Teaching

Exercise Nutrition and Physiology Teaching Assistant

Health and Human Development Department – Montana State University

Manager: Dr. John Seifert

(406) 994- 7154

January 2017/18 – May 2017/18

  • Leading lectures on exercise performance, nutrition and recovery

  • Directing weekly labs, applying knowledge in a laboratory setting.

  • Advising students on grades, course content and lab protocol.

  • Grading lab reports and providing constructive feedback.

Applied Anatomy and Physiology Teaching Assistant

Cellular Biology Department – Montana State University

Manager: Sam McColley

(406) 994-2953

August 2017 – December 2017

  • Leading lectures on anatomy and physiology utilizing human cadavers.

  • Preparing cadavers, quizzes and lectures for 3 weekly labs.

  • Managing 9 undergraduate student assistants during grading and demonstrations.

Anatomical Kinesiology Teaching Assistant

Health and Human Development Department – Montana State University

Manager: Dr. Milica McDowell

(406) 581- 2187

August 2016 – December 2016

  • Leading lectures on anatomical structures and kinesiology

  • Directing weekly labs, applying knowledge in a laboratory setting.

  • Advising students on grades, course content and lab protocol.

  • Grading lab reports and providing constructive feedback.


Research

Research Head, Coordinator

Movement Science Lab – Montana State University

Advisor: Dr. John Seifert

April, 2017 – May, 2018

  • Developing master’s thesis protocol.

  • Creating advertising; collecting & scheduling subjects

  • Collecting & analyzing data

  • Writing thesis report

  • Presenting and defending finished project

Research Assistant

August, 2016 – October, 2018

  • Supervising protocol and administering treatments during exercise physiology and nutrition experimentation in the Movement Science Lab and in the field.

  • Research Topics:

    • Effects of Ribose and Caffeine Supplementation on Cycling Performance and Cognition

    • Effect of Ski Width on Ski Performance

    • Directional Compression Tights and Ski Performance

  • Placing EMG electrodes & inertial measurement units on subjects.

  • Collecting blood work, rate of perceived exertion & other measured variables.

Professional Development

International Rock Climbing Research Association (IRCRA) – Chamonix, France

  • Oral presentation of thesis data at biennial conference

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) – Minneapolis, MN

  • Poster presentation of thesis data at annual conference

SKILLS

  • Experienced researcher in exercise nutrition and physiology:

    • Protocol development, data collection, analysis, and presentation of results.

    • Utilizing common laboratory tools such as spirometry, electromyography, inertial measurement units, and collecting blood work. 

  • Experienced in food handling, kitchen management, ordering and scheduling.

  • High-level working knowledge of general nutrition and sport nutrition principals, exercise physiology, human anatomy, food service and preparation techniques.

  • Experienced public speaker comfortable discussing a wide array of topics.

  • Integrated, rounded approach to wellness.

  • Independent thinker with a team-player approach.

 
IMG_2169.JPG