2025 Keynote & Tutorial Speakers

Keynote Speakers:

Leveraging the power of groups to promote health and well-being: A social identity approach

Dr. Katrina Waldhauser is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton. She obtained a BA in Psychology from the University of Calgary, and an MA and PhD in Kinesiology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. Broadly, Dr. Waldhauser’s research area involves leveraging the power of groups to promote health, well-being, and performance through physical activity and sport. A focus of her research has been on delivering and evaluating the effects of theory-driven group-based interventions that are designed to support well-being through enhancement of social connection and physical activity. Dr. Waldhauser has published research in several top-tier journal outlets, such as American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, and Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. She has presented research at several international conferences, such as the International Congress of Behavioral Medicine and the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity.

Bridging the Gap Between Rehab and Reconditioning

Photo of Mr. Matthew Hutton MS, ATC, CSCS

Matthew Hutton MS, ATC, CSCS is an assistant athletic trainer for Houston Dynamo 2 and founder of Spotlight Sports Solutions. He has a master's degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in sport psychology and a bachelor's degree in athletic training.

Current Research and Applications of Velocity-Based Training Techniques and Technologies

Dr. Kyle Beyer is an Assistant Professor of Health Sciences and the Director of The Resistance Exercise, Physiology, & Sport (REPS) Laboratory at Ursinus College. Dr. Beyer teaches classes such as exercise physiology, structural kinesiology, and exercise prescription and programming. In the REPS Lab, Dr. Beyer mentors undergraduate students on research projects related to the physiological adaptations to strength and conditioning programs and competitive sport, the evaluation of emerging technologies in fitness assessment, and the effect of dietary supplements of exercise performance.

Confidence in Motion Building Leadership and Visibility in Exercise Science Careers

Sheena Yap Chan is a Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly bestselling author, keynote speaker, strategist, and award-winning podcaster recognized for her work in elevating women’s leadership and self-confidence through the power of media and visibility. She is the founder of the Confidence Through Visibility movement and host of The Tao of Self-Confidence podcast, ranked in the top 0.5% globally with over 1.3 million downloads and 800+ interviews featuring celebrities, CEOs, and cultural icons. Her debut book, The Tao of Self-Confidence, was named one of the top 20 best self-confidence books of all time by Book Authority, while her latest release, Bridging the Confidence Gap, is a bold call to reimagine leadership by making visibility and self-trust core competencies. Through her signature VISIBLE Framework, Sheena delivers transformational keynotes and corporate programs that help organizations bridge the confidence gap, retain diverse talent, and build cultures where women are seen, heard, and respected. Her work has been featured on NBC News, FOX, MindValley, and The Manila Times, and she has spoken for global brands including NASA, Live Nation, and UKG. Sheena believes that confidence is something we can build—and that visibility creates the impact we wish to see in the world.

Tutorial Speakers:

Mentored to Mastery Using CUREs to Build Scientific Confidence and Independence in Undergraduate Exercise Science Researchers

Mary Stenson, PhD is the Interim Department Head for the Department of Applied Human Sciences and the Program Coordinator for the Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Undergraduate Program at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She teaches courses in Exercise Physiology and Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition. She studies recovery from exercise and mentors several undergraduate research projects every year.

Ella Hammerbeck is a senior double majoring in Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, as well as Spanish Studies, with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Following graduation she plans to attend graduate school to become a Physician Assistant. She is a student researcher leading a project investigating substrate use during and after High Intensity Interval Exercises (HIIT) in eumenorrheic and oral contraceptive using women, and men.

Tyler McBride is a senior majoring in Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Following graduation, he plans to attend graduate school for Athletic Training. Currently, he is a student researcher leading a project that is investigating the effects of sleep quality on physical fitness.

Taylor Swantek is a senior majoring in Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Following graduation, she plans to attend graduate school for physical therapy. Currently, she is a student researcher leading a project that is investigating the metabolic effects of running unweighted.

Riley Bodnarchuk is a senior majoring in Exercise Science and Rehabilitation Sciences with a Pre-Med emphasis at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Following graduation, he plans to go to medical school. Currently, he is a student researcher leading a project investigating the effect of training load on neuromuscular readiness markers in Division 1 ice hockey players using force plate metrics.

Developing Research Ideas and Proposals A Guide for Emerging Scholars

Dr. Brian Kiessling is an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Sport at the University of Southern Indiana (USI). He received his Ph.D. (2019) and M.S. in Kinesiology (2015) from Indiana University Bloomington. He has taught in higher education for over ten years, beginning at Indiana University in both the Kinesiology Department and Department of Health & Wellness Design. Prior to joining the USI faculty, he taught at Lane College (2020-2023) in the Department of Physical Education. His current research interests include activity trackers, self-reported sitting time and physical activity, engaging undergraduate students in the research process and undergraduate research, as well as working with tactical populations as he currently serves as a member of the Indiana Army National Guard.

A Short Tutorial on Academic Writing and Research Synthesis

Dr. Urska Dobersek is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Southern Indiana. She teaches courses related to sport, health, and research. Her research focuses on biopsychosocial aspects of health. She has published over 110 peer-reviewed abstracts, publications, and book chapters. .