Research Physiologist. University and military laboratory research in 
human performance in normal to extreme environments (subaquatic, 
aviation, thermal, terrestrial, forensic) for acute and extended 
durations.

Clinical specialist in back and neck pain rehabilitation, prevention, 
and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Developed innovative methods used 
by SEAL team and law enforcement so successful that Harvard 
University named her "The St. Jude of the Joints."

University professor of anatomy and physiology, environmental 
physiology, exercise physiology, statistics, orthopedic and pain 
rehabilitation.

Instructor of martial arts, swimming, life guarding, health and 
physical training, first aid, CPR, scuba, and yoga. Martial Arts Hall 
of Fame Black Belt, and former undefeated full-contact ring boxer.


April 27, 2004 News Release
Dr. Jolie Bookspan and her husband Sensei Paul Plevakas have been 
named the International Martial Arts Association Black Belt Man and 
Woman of the Year, 2004-2005.

Jolie was named for innovative teaching in martial arts, undefeated 
full-contact competition record, and research that has resulted in 
reducing injury while increasing training capacity for military, law 
enforcement, and martial arts practitioners.

Jolie and Paul were named together for their devoted teaching career 
together, and are both International Black Belt Hall of Fame honorees.


Education

Post-Doctoral.          Principle Investigator–Detection of 
Endogenous Gas Phase Formation in Humans at Altitude. Institute For 
Environmental Medicine (IFEM), University of Pennsylvania School of 
Medicine. Preliminary work to titrate dose-response in altitude 
decompression sickness. Wrote grant funded by Duke Medical Center.

Fellow            Fellowship in cold immersion.

Ph.D.           Environmental Physiology and Exercise Physiology 
(Dual Option within Biokinetics Research Lab and the medical school). 
Temple University. Passed comprehensive exams with distinction.

M.Ed.         Exercise Physiology. Temple University. GPA 4.0 (of 4.0).

B.A.         Temple University. Degree completed in three years, with 
highest honors, working full time.



Research

Statistical and research consultant to US Navy and Army aerospace, 
warfare, and medical divisions.

Researcher, Neck and Back Pain Sports Medicine Center. Studies in 
musculoskeletal pain and injury syndromes.

Statistical and research consultant to University of Texas Health 
Science Center in Houston. Evaluate middle cerebral artery blood flow 
during hyperbaric oxygenation.

Research Physiologist, US Department of Defense, Navy. Air Vehicle 
and Crew Systems Technology Division Environmental Effects Branch. 
Heat and cold exposures, primarily extreme cold immersion for pilot 
bail-out emergencies, acceleration effects on cerebral oxygenation 
(jet pilot G-induced loss of consciousness), and lower body negative 
pressure (LBNP) effects on cerebral oxygenation. Extensive cold 
modeling using the Wissler (Texas) thermal model.

Principle investigator, School of Engineering and Applied Science, 
University of Pennsylvania, Computer automation of interpretation of 
the Doppler signal in decompression sickness bubble recognition. 
Wrote grant funded by the PADI Foundation.

Adjunct Research, Temple University Biokinetics Research Laboratory.. 
Quantification of metabolic cost of non-shivering thermogenesis.

Research Analyst, Institute For Environmental Medicine (IFEM), 
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Data reduction of 
oxygen toxicity research, computer analysis, and summary graphs. 
Strip chart analysis of Predictive Studies Series: hyperbaric, 
hypoxic, and hypercapnic response to rest and exercise.

Principle Investigator, Temple University Biokinetics Research 
Laboratory, Philadelphia, PA Posture apnea interaction during total 
body cold water immersion.

Principle Investigator, NOAA Grant research of ascent from shallow 
saturation in a saturation habitat.

Research assistant: Effects of postural variation on the diver’s 
reflex. Temple University Biokinetics Research Laboratory, 
Philadelphia, PA.


Sample of Unclassified
Papers

Bookspan, J. Ab Revolution functional core retraining relieves low 
back pain more effectively than conventional physical therapy. 
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Volume 38:5, 2006

Bookspan, J. Functional Core Retraining Superior To Conventional And 
Pilates Core Training In Remediating Low Back Pain. Medicine and 
Science in Sports and Exercise, Volume 37:5 Supplement. May, 2005.

Bookspan, J. Detection of endogenous gas phase formation in humans at 
altitude. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Suppl. Vol. 35, Num 
5, May 2003 # 901, p S164.

Lanphier EH and Bookspan J. CO2 Retention and Nitrox Diving. The 
Physiological, Medical and High Tech Aspects Of Recreational And 
Scientific Diving. 10-14 November, 1996, Red Sea Medi-Tech, Eilat.

Bookspan J and Lanphier EH. Acclimatization You Don’t Want—Carbon 
Dioxide. Immersed Journal of Technical Diving. Vol. I, Issue 2, 1996.

Lanphier EH and Bookspan J. Is Nitrox The ’Way To Go?’ – 
(recommendations on nitrogen-oxygen and helium-oxygen mixtures.) 
1996. Proceedings of the 13th Meeting of the United States–Japan 
Cooperative Program in Natural Resources (UJNR) Panel on Diving 
Physiology, 23-25 October 1995, Miura, Kanagawa, Japan. Published by 
JAMSTEC (Japan Marine Science & Technology Center), Yokosuka.

Bookspan J. Seated Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and its use to 
alter cerebral perfusion. Internal report for Air Vehicle and Crew 
Systems Technology Department, Environmental Effects. US Navy. 1991.

Contributor to Air Standardization Coordination Committee (ASCC) 
Draft Advisory Publication 61041 Decompression Schedules and 
Physiologic Considerations in Flying after Diving. US Navy for 
Toronto, Canada: DCIEM, 1990.

Bookspan J, Paolone AM. Posture apnea interaction during total body 
cold water immersion. Undersea Biomed Res Suppl abstract 1991; 18: 66.

Empirical model of temperature response to cold water immersion. 
Prepared for the Air Vehicle and Crew Systems Technology Department, 
Environmental Effects. US Navy, for the Environmental Ergonomics 
meeting in Texas. 1990.

Bookspan J. Capability of Lower Body Negative Pressure (LBNP) 
Experiments To Augment Acceleration Exposures. Internal report for 
Air Vehicle and Crew Systems Technology Department, Environmental 
Effects. US Navy. 1990.

Bookspan J, Bove AA. Comparison of proposed new sport diving tables 
with navy standard air decompression tables using tissue m-values. 
Undersea Biomed Res Suppl abstract 1989; 16:69.



BOOKS

Bookspan J. Extreme Physiology. Text of environmental medicine 
covering normal physiology of all body systems, and physiology of 
desert, polar, mountain, and jungle crossings; aviation, underwater, 
and endurance events. In preparation.

Bookspan J. Healthy Martial Arts. Wealth of functional conditioning 
of body and mind. Neck and Back Pain Sports Medicine Press, 2006. 
Winner of the Black Belt Hall of Fame Readers Choice Award. 232 pages.

Bookspan J. Fix Your Own Pain Without Drugs or Surgery. 
Musculoskeletal rehabilitation for the provider and layperson. 
Healthy Learning, Monterey, CA. 2006.

Bookspan J. Stretching Smarter Stretching Healthier. Immediately 
helpful techniques to increase flexibility and mobility for daily 
life, and stop injuries from daily life movement and bad stretching. 
Over 200 humorous drawings. Neck and Back Pain Sports Medicine Press, 
2006.

Bookspan J. The Ab Revolution. Neck and Back Pain Sports Medicine, 
press. First edition, 2002. Second edition, 2003. Third Edition, 
2006. 111 pages.

Bookspan J. Health & Fitness In Plain English New Second Edition. 
Healthy Learning, Monterey, CA. 2002. 363 pages.

Bookspan J. Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Review For Physicians. 
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. 2000. Kensington, MD. 220 pages

Bookspan J. Hyperbaric Medical Review For Board Certification Exams: 
Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT), Certified Hyperbaric 
Registered Nurse (CHRN). 2000. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical 
Society. Kensington, MD. 190 pages.

Bookspan J. American Board Of Preventive Medicine, Inc., Core Content 
For Certification In Undersea And Hyperbaric Medicine For Hyperbaric 
Physicians. 1999. Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society. 
Kensington, MD. 163 pages.

Bookspan J. Health & Fitness In Plain English. Kensington 
Publications, New York. 1998. 357 pages. Sold out.

Bookspan J. Diving Physiology In Plain English. Undersea and 
Hyperbaric Medical Society. Kensington, MD. First printing 1995, 
Second printing 1997, Third Printing 1999, Fourth printing 2001, 
Fifth printing, 2003, Sixth printing revised 2006. Spanish and German 
translations in progress. 246 pages.



TECHNICAL CHAPTERS: PUBLISHED
Bookspan, J. Physiology. In, National Oceanic Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) Diving Manual, Diving for Science and 
Technology: US Chamber of Commerce 4th Ed., July 2000.

Bookspan, J. Diving Physiology. In, P. Oliver and M. Williams (Eds.) 
NAUI Master SCUBA Diver. NAUI: Tampa. August 2000.

Bookspan J, Fife CE, & Fife WP. Vascular Headache. In, KK Jain (Ed) 
Textbook of Hyperbaric Medicine. Springer Verlag. 1999.

Lanphier, EH & Bookspan, J. Carbon Dioxide Retention. In, Lundgren & 
Miller (Eds.) The Lung at Depth. A monograph for the series “Lung 
Biology in Health and Disease” on lung and respiratory adaptation to 
increased barometric pressure. 1999.

Bookspan, J. Carbon Dioxide. In, Tom Mount (Ed.) Encyclopedia of 
Technical Diving. IANDT: Miami, 1997.

Bookspan, J. Things That Stings. In, The Divers Alert Network Best of 
Alert Diver. 1997. p 35-40.

Bookspan J. Effects of Immersion at Rest. In, Ruoti, R. (Ed.) Aquatic 
Rehabilitation. J.B. Lippincott. 1996.

Bookspan J. Decompression Theory In Plain English. In, Williams (Ed.) 
The Best Of Sources. NAUI, California. 1993.

Borden GJ, Harris KS. Speech Science Primer: Physiology, Acoustics, 
and Perceptions of Speech. Williams & Wilkins Company, Maryland 1980. 
Editorial assistant in preparation and proofreading. Wrote technical 
glossary.

  TECHNICAL CHAPTERS: IN PRESS

Bookspan, J. Exercise, Conditioning, 
and Performance. In, Auerbach, P Wilderness Medicine 5th edition. 
Elsevier. 2007.
Bookspan, J. Physiology of Martial Arts. In, Maberry, Bookspan, 
Borofsky (Eds) Ultimate Self Defense. Strider Nolan Publishing.

Bookspan, J. Fitness for Martial Arts. In, Maberry, Bookspan, 
Borofsky (Eds) Ultimate Self Defense. Strider Nolan Publishing.

Editorial

Healthline Blog, Ongoing column “Fitness Fixer” for Healthline, a 
search engine exclusively for consumer health information. http://
www.healthline.com/blogs/exercise_fitness/

Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, Peer reviewer. Publication of 
the Wilderness Medical Society. Review original research and clinical 
reports from scientists and practitioners on aspects of wilderness 
and environmental medicine.

Wilderness Medicine Magazine Health/Medical column, Contributing 
Editor,  “Fit to Be Wild.” Publication of the Wilderness Medical 
Society.

NAUI Sources Journal, Contributing Editor. Journal of the National 
Association of Underwater Instructors. Regular column on science and 
health for divers.

Vidocq Society Journal, Contributing Editor, “Bookspan’s Bullets.” 
Regular column of forensic education.

Contributing Editor for travel medicine in international magazine, 
GoodMorning Chiang Mai,  published in northern Thailand (monthly).

Scuba Diving Explained. Martin, L. M.D. Reviewed in entirety for 
content and accuracy. Best Publishing 1997.

Travel Medicine Magazine. Book review, "Scuba Safety in Australia" 
March 1996.

Advanced Diving Technology and Techniques. Mosby/Jeppesen Publishing 
Co., 1994. Textbook for advanced scuba diving classes. Reviewed 
physiology chapter for content and accuracy.

Scuba Diving. Graver D.K. Human Kinetics, Illinois, 1994. Edited 
several chapters of a scuba diving text book for content and accuracy.

Basic Statistics: Probing the Unknown. Chansky NM. Kendall/Hunt 
Publishing Company, Iowa, 1988. Editorial assistant in preparation 
and proofreading. Calculated and cross-checked equations and solutions.

Aquatic Physical Therapy Report Research Committee. Guest Referee.

Underwater USA Magazine, 1991-1994. Monthly columnist on underwater 
and environmental physiology.

Skin Diver Magazine, 1991-1994. Monthly columnist on human 
performance, nutrition, and conditioning.

Fitness Cycling Magazine, 1991. Contributing editor/ monthly columnist.

The Reflector, US Navy newsletter. 1990-1991. Monthly fitness and 
health columnist.


ADVISORY

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Advisory and review 
board for the Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) grant to 
investigate research in several areas of oxidative stress and 
hyperbaric medicine, headed by Dr. Steven Thom. 2000-present.
Vidocq Society Science Officer. International invitation-only 
forensic society. 2001-Present.COP-Safe, Inc. Board of Advisors. 
Program to teach law enforcement officers to maximize effective 
control of violent suspects with minimum of injury to officer and 
suspect. NAUI Training Committee 2002 to 2003. National Association 
of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide). NAUI Worldwide, Tampa, 
FL. Review of publications and policies. Recommendations on training 
protocol for all divers for certification.

Advisor to the Philadelphia Police  Training Bureau on physical 
training issues.

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Communications and Public 
Information Committee  Educational outreach to the community on 
consumer health and personal fitness.

ACSM Media Referral Network, Member liaison to media.

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Project Review Committee.

Board of Directors: Sub Ocean Safety (SOS). Lacombe, LA. 1994-2000, 
now continuing with Board of Advisors. International project to bring 
treatment, education, and intervention to third world areas with 
epidemics of decompression sickness among the commercial diving 
fishermen. Coordinator for the World DCS project, linking SOS with 
similar projects in Europe and Asia.

The Air Aware Project. Lawrence Factor Company, Hialeah, FL. Founded 
1995. Co-developed international incentive program for dive shops to 
quality test compressed air for divers’ scuba tanks, and encourage 
diver awareness of air quality.

Technical Advisory Group 1991, and Board of Advisors 1994 to 1999. 
National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI Worldwide). NAUI 
Worldwide, Tampa, FL. Review of publications and policies. 
Recommendations to Director of Education on decompression tables and 
dive physiology, and to President of NAUI College on physiologic 
basis of swimming assessments.

Board of Advisors (Physiology). Beneath The Sea Hyperbaric and 
Medical Center. 1993-1996. St. Agnes Medical Center, White Plains, 
New York.

Board of Advisors (Medical). Extended Range Diving Organization 
(ERDO). 1992-1995. New York, NY.

Trustee: Beneath The Sea, Annual Expo. 1995-1996. Rye New York.

On-line ScubaRT Science Officer. Genie Information Services. 1992-1994.

On-line Scuba Forum Physiology Advisor. Delphi. 1994.

Worked with Christopher Reeve (before his accident) host of the 
television series, “Today’s Diver” about scuba diving around the 
world, as scientist explaining effects of diving underwater.

Advisor to The Discovery Channel for episodes on survival at extremes.

Sitmar Cruise Lines. Los Angeles, CA.
Consultant in developing the entire on-board fitness programs for the 
fleet of four sister cruise ships.



Diving Medical Conference

Conference Director. 1994, 1995, and 1996. Undersea and Hyperbaric 
Medical Society Annual International Medicine and Physiology of 
Diving benefit symposium.

Conference Director. Dive Philadelphia Underwater Expo. 1994 and 1995.

Program Director. International Conference on Underwater Education 
(ICUE). 1992.

Co-Developer of Tek. Co-developed, planned, and launched the first 
International technical diving symposium, Orlando, FL. Originated the 
slogan "Talk Tek to Me."



TRAINING

Rehabilitation/ Injury Prevention and Special Populations

AWLS. Advanced Wilderness Life Support. University of Utah School of 
Medicine.
Praxis Clinical Services. Advanced Technologies in Wound Management.
POSSM (Phila. Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine). Disorders of 
the Athlete’s Shoulder.
AAHFP (American Academy of Health and Fitness Professionals). Post 
Rehab Conditioning Specialist.
AFPA (American Fitness Professionals & Associates.) Certification in 
Training Special Populations.
AFPA (American Fitness Professionals & Associates.) Certification in 
Training Pre and Post Natal Populations.
ACE (American Council on Exercise). Exercise Considerations for 
Individuals with Knee, Shoulder, and Back Injuries. Parts I and II.
Wilderness Medical Society, Wilderness Dental Emergencies.
Red Cross. back injury prevention Instructor.
ACSM Team Physician Course Part II, 1995,


Fitness

ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), Health/Fitness Instructor 
since 1991.
ACE (American Council on Exercise), Personal Trainer.
ACE (American Council on Exercise), Specialty Recognition-Strength 
Training.
ACE (American Council on Exercise), Specialty Recognition-Flexibility.
ESA (Exer-Safety Association), Abdominal Exercise Specialty.
AAAI/ISMA (American Association of Aerobics Instructors, 
International Sports Medicine Association) Advanced aerobics 
instructor specialization–Floorwork choreography.
Temple University, T.I.M.E Advanced Aerobics Instructor Certification.
AAAI (American Aerobic Association International), Personal Fitness 
Trainer.
AAAI (American Aerobic Association International), Fitness Expert 
Instructor.


Nutrition

AAAI (American Aerobic Association International), Certification in 
Sports Nutrition.
ACE (American Council on Exercise), Lifestyle and Weight Management 
Consultant. Gold Certified.

Aquatics

AAAI (American Aerobic Association International), Aqua Exercise 
Instructor.
Water Safety Instructor, Red Cross (new method). Certified instructor 
since 1975.
Lifeguard Training, Red Cross (new method). Certified instructor 
since 1975.
Lifeguard Training Instructor, Red Cross (new method) includes Head 
Lifeguard Instructor and Waterfront Lifeguard Instructor
Canoeing, Red Cross.

Scuba

NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors). Scuba Instructor.
CMAS (Conféderation Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques). Three Star 
Instructor.
NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors). Rescue Diver 
Instructor.
Hyperbaric Chamber Operations. Ocean Divers International. Key Largo, FL
MRDC (Marine Resources Development Center). Aquanaut-Habitat Diver
NASAR (National Association of Search and Rescue). Oxygen 
Administration and Field Management of Scuba Diving Accidents.

Health/Safety

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-M), Pennsylvania State DOT 
(Department of Transportation.) Certified since 1975.
Instructor, CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Red Cross. Certified 
instructor since 1975.
Instructor, Lay Responder FA/CPR/AED (new method). Red Cross.



Martial Arts / Yoga

Shodan black belt in Shotokan karate, 1983.
Undefeated full contact ring boxer in Muay Thai and American Kickboxing.
Studied Muay Thai, TaiChi, Balintawak, Wu Shu, GoJu-Ryu and Karate in 
India, China, Thailand, Japan The Netherlands, and the United States,
Inducted into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame.
Instructor Certification, kick boxing.
ACE (American Council on Exercise), Specialty Recognition in Boxing.

Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Instructor, 500 hours of teacher 
training and 5000 hours documented teaching. Multi-year training in 
yoga styles: Ashtanga in the United States and India, Daoist in the 
United States and China, other hatha styles in India and Thailand.
AAAI (American Aerobic Association International), Yoga Instructor.
AAAI (American Aerobic Association International), Tai Chi Fitness 
Instructor.
Certified in Thai Massage in the United States and to professional 
level in Northern Style Nuad Bo-Rarn in Thailand, Tui-Na in Chian, 
and Shiatsu in Japan.



SCUBA INSTRUCTION
Free Lance Scuba Guide.

Philadelphia Sea Horses Scuba Club. Philadelphia, PA.
Vice President and Chairman of Diver Education Scuba instructor of 
group and private classes, and specialty classes. Developed a member 
incentive program of continuing diver education workshops for members 
including rescue, dive fitness, oxygen use, CPR, first aid, stroke 
mechanics. Wrote educational articles for newsletter. Lifeguard for 
pool sessions. Equipment purchase coordinator.
Divers de México. Acapulco, Guerrero México.
Scuba instructor and divemaster for local and tourist clientele. 
Taught in English and Spanish.

Cunard Cruise Lines. M.V. Cunard Princess Cruise Ship.
Fitness Director. Developed and taught comprehensive fitness program. 
Taught skin diving classes, and led reef trips. Repair, maintenance, 
and inventory of gear. Founding instructor of cruise line fitness 
program. Conducted all activities in English and Spanish.

The ‘Y’ at Broad and Pine, Philadelphia, PA.
Aquatics Director. Developed and ran entire scuba certification 
program. Taught all water safety, life-guarding, exercise, and 
swimming classes. Conducted Swim-a-Thon fundraisers. Inventoried and 
repaired equipment. Taught snorkeling and workshops.



Honors/ Awards

Eastern USA Martial Arts Association, Black Belt Hall of Fame Readers 
Choice Award, 2006.
Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association, Martial Arts 
Award, 2005.
Service Award, American Red Cross for30 years of volunteer service, 
2005.
Eastern USA Martial Arts Association, Martial Arts Woman of the Year, 
2004.
Inducted to International Black Belt Hall of Fame 2003
International Black Belt Hall of Fame Special Recognition, 2003.
Inducted to Vidocq Society, an International Forensic Think-tank.
Diver’s Hall of Fame.
Medal of Excellence for Education.
Service Award American Red Cross for 25 years of volunteer service, 
2000.
Outstanding Contribution to Diving. NAUI.
Outstanding Contribution to DAN’s Oxygen Provider and Instructor 
Program. Divers Alert Network.
Outstanding Service Award for volunteer projects. National Multiple 
Sclerosis Society.
Master’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Temple University.
Fellowship Award, University Fellow For Research, Temple University.
Outstanding Service Award, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Pennsylvania State Scholastic Merit Award.



PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

American College of Sports Medicine
Wilderness Medical Society
Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
American Council on Exercise
Delaware Valley Geriatric Medical Society
The Vidocq Society
National Association of Underwater Instructors
Conféderation Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques
Eastern USA International Martial Arts Association
North American Spine Society


Web Site

http://www.DrBookspan.com