Dr. Nicolette Harris is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Student Recruitment for the Athletic Training Programs at A.T. Still University (ATSU). She holds a B.S. degree in Sport Psychology from Wayne State University as well as a M.S. degree in Athletic Training from Florida International University (FIU). Dr. Harris has a Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT) degree from ATSU and is further pursuing a Ph.D. at FIU in Teaching and Learning - Curriculum, Social and Cultural Studies. She actively engages in professional service, sitting as the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Career Advancement Committee Chair, Board of Certification Liaison to the Athletic Training Research Agenda Committee as well as a member of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education’s Education Committee. She is passionate about research that drives change in AT profession with specific emphasis on identifying and rectifying health and educational disparities.

Dr. Togy Zagdsuren is originally from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. She came to the US in 2011 to pursue higher education in Exercise Science. She received her PhD from the University of Alabama in the area of Exercise Science. Her research interests include neuro-behavioral aspects of physical activity behavior, physical activity motivation, and the automaticity of sedentary behavior.

Dr. Urska Dobersek is a former professional athlete and Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern Indiana. She follows the scientist-practitioner model and is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology. When not working with athletes, executives, and other elite professionals, she examines the effects of body image and diet on mental health, and the evolutionary predictors of mate selection. She currently consults with tech entrepreneurs and has published over 80 peer-reviewed abstracts, publications, and book chapters.

Dr. Mindy Mayol is currently an Associate Professor in the College of Health Sciences’ Department of Kinesiology, Health & Sport Sciences at the University of Indianapolis (UIndy) teaching in both the Bachelor and Master of Exercise Science programs. Mayol received her PhD in the Health & Rehabilitation Sciences program at Indiana University Indianapolis with a Functional Participation/Limitation concentration and minor in Public Health: Social and Behavioral Sciences. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and her Master’s degree in Applied Sport Science from Indiana University Bloomington. Mayol is a Certified Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and is in her second term appointment for ACSM’s Certification-related Content Advisory Committee. She published the 3rd edition of her textbook, Wellness: The Total Package (2019) focusing on multi-dimensional wellness for the emerging adult population. In addition, her research line includes sport motivation, psychosocial return to play factors, and multi-dimensional wellness in collegiate student-athletes.

Dr. Gary Long is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and has taught undergraduate and graduate exercise science courses for almost 10 years. He completed his PhD in Health and Rehabilitation Science at Indiana University, with an emphasis in clinical exercise physiology and human anatomy. Dr. Long's current research focuses on exercise interventions in pulmonary disease and sports performance studies examining strength and conditioning testing methods and GPS analysis of elite-level athletes.

Dr. Jay Dawes and Megan Thompson

Jay Dawes PhD, CSCS,*D, NSCA-CPT*D , TSAC-F, FNSCA, is an Associate professor of Applied Exercise Science in the Department of Kinesiology, Health and Recreation at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Dawes has worked as a university athletic performance coordinator, strength/performance coach, personal trainer, and educator for over 20 years. In 2021, Dr. Dawes was recognized by the NSCA as the Tactical Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year for his contributions in this area.

Megan Thompson graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Master’s of Science in Kinesiology. She is currently a Doctoral student at Oklahoma State University, with an emphasis in Tactical Strength and Conditioning and is currently the coordinator for the Tactical Fitness and Nutrition Laboratory on campus. Megan’s research has primarily investigated the physical and physiological characteristics of Army ROTC cadets and first responders. She has also conducted research into the health and fitness characteristics of deputy sheriffs and custody assistants, as well as wildland fire suppression aids. She plans to continue working alongside tactical populations with hopes of optimizing health and performance throughout the occupational lifespan.

Dr. Lindsey Lepley is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Michigan. She is the director of the Comparative Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Laboratory and Co-Director of the Orthopedic Rehabilitation Biomechanics Laboratory. Her research program focuses on the identification of the mechanisms that regulate skeletal muscle strength, activation, and structure after traumatic joint injury to establish interventions that optimize muscle recovery. To advance clinical practice, her research group utilizes non-invasive animal injury models and human subject research to design, test and translate new sports medicine strategies from conception to practice. This rare blend of scientific approaches empowers her lab to make fundamental discoveries about musculoskeletal health that can change rehabilitation.

Dr. Alyssa Weatherholt is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science at the University of Southern Indiana. Alyssa’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science from the University of Indianapolis in 2007, a Master of Science in Physical Education with a concentration in Exercise Science from Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN in 2009, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with a concentration in Pathophysiology and Impairment in 2015. Alyssa enjoys teaching courses such as exercise testing and programming for individuals with various conditions and diseases, behavioral strategies for exercise consultations, and measurement and evaluation. Her research interests include bone health, how exercise affects the cardiovascular system, blood flow restriction training, exercise prescription for individuals with diseases, and behavioral strategies to increase physical activity participation. She currently serves as a Fitness Assessment Section Editor for the International Journal of Exercise Science.

Dr. Whitley Stone is an Assistant Professor at Western Kentucky University. Whitley serves the kinesiology community as a member of the executive board for the International Journal of Exercise Science and Topics in Exercise Science. Whitley enjoys teaching undergraduate courses in exercise science, particularly introduction to kinesiology and physiology of exercise. Her research area is currently focused on physical activity patterns in populations with impaired gait (e.g., spinal cord injury, Down syndrome) as well as innovative teaching modalities for adult learners. She has recently finalized work on the second edition of Practical Content for Beginning Kinesiologists, a text she coauthors with Dr. Matthew Garver.

Dr. Rachel Tinius and Dr. Cody Storm will be co-presenters on the topic of Pregnancy and Exercise. Dr. Rachel Tinius is an Associate Professor at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She originally came to WKU as an undergraduate student in 2006 to play soccer and receive her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science. She continued her collegiate athletic and academic careers at WKU playing soccer as well as running track and cross country while completing her Master’s degree in Kinesiology. She then moved back to her home town of St. Louis, MO and obtained a Master’s Degree in Science and Clinical Investigation and a PhD in Movement Science at Washington University School of Medicine. While at Wash U, she began her work investigating the role of obesity, physical activity, and maternal metabolic health on maternal and infant outcomes. Upon completion of her PhD, she returned to WKU as an Assistant Professor in Exercise Science. Since arriving at WKU, she has secured continuous external funding through the KY INBRE network and the NIH to study physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum. She has become most interested in developing physical activity interventions as a means of improving outcomes, particularly in rural areas. Per personal life and research interests have intersected for much of the past 5 years as she has a 5 year old (Lainey), 3 year old (Riley), and 1 year old (Tess).

Cody Storm is an Exercise Physiologist with 7+ years of training, coaching, and research experience. Currently, an Assistant Professor at University of Southern Indiana working to inspire and mentor the next generation of great students by bridging the gaps between practice and applicability to exercise science and basic sciences.