Lab Manager

Deborah Brunke-Reese is the Research Project Manager in the Motivation Lab.  She earned her B.S. in Biology and Chemistry at Illinois State University, continued graduate studies in Immunology at the University of Illinois and is currently enrolled in Penn State’s Graduate Certificate Program in Project Management.  Her professional experience has been as a molecular biologist/cellular immunologist in academic research as well as pharmaceutical research in support of FDA Clinical Trials at a biotechnology company.  More recently, she was employed as a clinical research coordinator at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.  In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, volunteering in the community and spending time with her family.
James Marks is a Human Research Technologist IV working in Hershey, PA to support the sipIT trial of a fluid intake intervention. James earned his B.S. in Kinesiology at The Pennsylvania State University and is currently a Master of Public Health candidate at the Penn State College of Medicine. After finishing his undergraduate degree, James spent three years supporting Penn State's Working to Increase Stability through Exercise (WISE) clinical trial as a Human Research Technologist and Data Manager. Outside of work, James can be found spending time with friends and family, golfing, reading fantasy/sci-fi books, or at a Penn State Football tailgate.

Post-Doctoral Fellows

Dr. Jimikaye Courtney received her Ph.D. in Human Bioenergetics from Colorado State University. She is currently a post-doctoral fellow in the Prevention and Methodology Training (PAMT) program working under Dr. David Conroy and Dr. Michael Russell. Jimikaye’s research is focused on (a) the measurement of physical activity and alcohol use behaviors using wearable monitors and ecological momentary assessment (EMA), (b) examining the relationships between physical activity, alcohol use, and psychosocial predictors of health, such as stress and affect, and (c) using advanced statistical modeling (multilevel modeling, time-varying effect modeling, etc.), to examine the within-person dynamics of the relationships between physical activity, alcohol use, and psychosocial variables, and the within-person dynamics of alcohol use throughout an alcohol use event or a single day of alcohol use. Her postdoctoral training will expand upon these areas of interest by using advanced statistical modeling to examine data captured via the activPAL activity monitor, SCRAM alcohol monitor, and EMA surveys. Her long-term goal is to use information learned through said research to inform the development of real-time adaptive interventions and policy capable of modifying health behaviors to improve human health.
Dr Jenny (Jen) Olson holds a PhD in Health Psychology and Behavioural Medicine from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. Her PhD focused on the determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in rural Australia. Jen adopts an ecological approach to her mixed-methods research and is interested in supporting the prevention and survivability of non-communicable diseases through health-behaviour change. She has industry experience coordinating the evaluation of diabetes self-management education and support programs delivered nationally in Australia through the National Diabetes Services Scheme. Jen is currently working with Professor David Conroy and Professor Kathryn Schmitz as a Postdoctoral Fellow, to pursue collaborative research between the Motivation Lab and the Penn State Cancer Institute to support cancer prevention and improved survivability through behavioural interventions.

Graduate Students

Ashley B. West received her BS and MS in Exercise Science from Colorado State University, where she studied low-dose interventions targeting physical activity maintenance in pre-diabetics. She is now in her fourth year of the Kinesiology doctoral program and the Motivation Lab. Ashley was supported by a NIDA-funded T32 fellowship (Prevention & Methodology Training Grant) which supported her research on relations between physical activity and substance use in single vs polysubstance using college students. In her free time she hikes, trains for half marathons and enjoys cheering on the Nittany Lions football team. She currently works for Lirio, LLC and will graduate with her PhD in May 2022.
Jingchuan (Jing) Wu is a first-year doctoral student in Kinesiology who joined the lab in 2021. He earned his B.S. in Psychology at Eastern Mennonite University, and his M.A. in experimental psychology at Brandeis University. His research interest is on exploring the effects of physical activity on psychological health and wellbeing in aged populations, and strategies and technology to promote active and healthy lifestyles in middle and old age adults. In his free time, he likes to cook, travel, and play board games.
We have openings for new graduate students interested in pursuing an MS or PhD degree in Kinesiology. Apply at hhd.psu.edu/kines/graduate/visit-and-apply/application-and-admissions-process.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Saran Ashley-Douglas is majoring in Biobehavioral Health with an anticipated graduation date of  Spring 2024.  Saran joined the Motivation lab in Spring 2022. She joined the lab due to her interest in learning how behaviors can impact physical health. Outside of the lab, Saran works at Penn State Career Services and volunteers at Park Forest Preschool. In her free time, she enjoys being in nature, pottery, cooking, and laughing with friends.  After graduation, Saran hopes to attend Medical School and become a primary care physician serving families in low-income areas.
Alexandra (Alex) Auerbeck is majoring in Biology with a double minor in Health Policy Administration and Biochemistry with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2023. Alex joined the Motivation Lab in January 2020 through the Women in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) program. She applied for Motivation Lab because of their dedication and effort in helping people gain an active, healthy lifestyle. On campus, Alex is involved with a dance team, Penn State Lyrical Line, and a Pre-Health Honors Society, Alpha Epsilon Delta. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and eating Penn State Creamery ice cream. After graduation, Alex hopes to attend Medical School.
Hannah Dykes is majoring in Biology with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2023. Hannah joined the Motivation lab in January 2021 through the Women in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) program. She joined the Motivation Lab because she wanted to find a research opportunity that focuses on unique and innovative ways to better the health and wellbeing of people. During her free time, Hannah enjoys working with her THON organization Eclipse, playing volleyball, and cheering on Penn State athletics. After graduation, Hannah hopes to attend medical school to become a physician in a specialty she is currently unsure of.
Racquel Giro is majoring in Biological Science and Health Professions with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2023. Racquel joined the Motivation lab in Spring 2020. She joined the lab because of her strong interest in people’s motivations behind living a healthy lifestyle. She is a member of the PreHealth Honor Society and Chaarg. In her free time, she also enjoys running and painting. After graduation, Racquel intends to further her education and pursue her passions in Medical School.
Kennedy Jackson is majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Psychology with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2023. Kennedy joined the Motivation lab in January 2021. Kennedy joined the lab because she thoroughly enjoyed the KINES 321: Psychology of Movement Behavior course and wanted to continue in-depth learning on the subject, as well as learn more about the wide range of reasons and sources of motivation for engaging in physical activity. She believes this lab experience will allow her to connect content from two subject matters of interest: Kinesiology and Psychology. Outside of the lab, Kennedy is a mentor for BLUEprint, a peer mentorship organization for underrepresented students, and an Activities Coordinator for the Diversity and Inclusion Student Association in the College of Health and Human Development. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending sporting events, and listening to music. After graduation, Kennedy intends to go to medical school, with the hopes of pursuing a career in Sports Medicine or Obstetrics/Gynecology.
Claudia Pearce is majoring in Kinesiology with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2022. Claudia joined the Motivation Lab in Spring 2020. She joined the lab to learn more about why individuals engage in physical activity and about new ways to promote physical activity. She is also interested to see how research is conducted in a lab. On campus, Claudia is involved in the campus orchestra and kinesiology club, and enjoys playing music and crocheting in her free time. After graduation, Claudia hopes to go on to occupational therapy school.
Evy Stradley is majoring in Kinesiology with an anticipated graduation date of May 2022. Evy joined the Motivation lab in January 2020. "I joined the Motivation lab because the physical inactivity crisis will only become more important as I move into my professional career and it is fascinating to learn how to motivate others to move more. In my free time, I'm involved in THON and Lion Scouts on campus. Outside of school, I grew up in competitive dance and love watching the Olympics and learning new sports." After graduation, Evy hopes to attend a Doctorate of Physical Therapy program and practice as a Physical Therapist.

Co-Sponsored Pre- & Post-Doctoral and Faculty Mentees at Other Labs or Sites

  • Natasha Burse, M.P.H. - Predoctoral Fellow, Department of Public Health Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University (K99 CA253762)
  • Brett Gordon, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow, Oncology, Nutrition & Exercise Group, The Pennsylvania State University
  • Jonathan Hakun, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, The Pennsylvania State University (R00 AG056670)
  • Megan Huisingh-Scheetz, M.D. - Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine (Section of Geriatrics), University of Chicago (K23 AG049106)
  • Erica O'Brien, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Healthy Aging (T32 AG049676)
  • Danielle Ostendorf, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (F32 DK122652)
  • Courtney Stevens, Ph.D. - Research Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Darthmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University (T32 MH073553)

Penn State Partners

External Partners

Recent Lab Alumni