Posted:Monday, October 20, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Massage Therapy Foundation Appoints Dr. Niki Munk as Research Director
Evanston, IL, October 20, 2025—The Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) announces the appointment of Niki Munk, PhD, LMT, as MTF Research Director. Dr. Munk is an accomplished researcher and leader in the massage therapy profession, who brings extensive skills and expertise to provide critical staffing infrastructure to MTF’s expanding research and granting-related programs.
Dr. Munk is an Associate Professor and Chair of Health Sciences in Indiana University’s School of Health and Human Sciences at IU Indianapolis and is a non-practicing Kentucky licensed massage therapist. She is the recent winner of the 2025 American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Distinguished Service Award, among an extensive list of professional and scientific accolades. She has volunteered with MTF since 2011, joined the MTF Board of Trustees in 2017, and served as Grant Review and Research Committee Chairs since 2021 and 2022, respectively.
In her new role, Dr. Munk will lead the Foundation’s research programming, which has greatly expanded in recent years in response to additional research grant funding from AMTA. Additionally, Munk’s new role provides oversight and development for MTF’s MassageNet Practice-Based Research Network and consultation aid to the MTF supported scientific journal, the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB).
“We are extremely excited to have Dr. Munk join the administrative leadership of MTF after many years of working with her on the MTF Board of Trustees,” said Kim Kane-Santos, president of MTF. “Her expertise in research and her deep understanding of the massage therapy profession will help us strengthen our programs, expand our impact, and continue advancing evidence-informed practice for the benefit of practitioners and the public.”
About the Massage Therapy Foundation
The Massage Therapy Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to supporting scientific research, education, and community service within the massage therapy profession. The Foundation publishes an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal and provides educational resources for massage therapists, educators, and students. MTF fosters international scientific collaboration through grants, resources, training, and services.
For more information please contact: Teri Mayo, Executive Director, 847.905.1520 tmayo@massagetherapyfoundation.org