Motivation Lab Team (University Park edition), Fall 2022
Research Staff
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Gabby Ryan is the Research Project Manager in the Motivation Lab. She earned her B.A. in Psychology at Bloomsburg University, and her M.A. in Experimental Psychology at Towson University. Her current research interests involve interventions for human growth and research methods. In her free time, Gabby likes to go hiking, forage for mushrooms, and be weird with her cats.
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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.
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Alyssa Cutshaw is a Human Research Technologist I in the Motivation Lab. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in sociology from Penn State University. She joined the Motivation Lab to gain more experience in psychological research and application of advanced assessment techniques. She plans on using this experience to apply to clinical psychology doctoral programs. Outside of work, she likes to listen to crime podcasts, read books, and spend time with family/friends.
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New full-time position for a Human Research Technologist will be posted this month.
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Computational Scientist
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Dr. Ian Kim is a computational scientist with experience in the design and development of computational models of behavior changes and health intervention applications. His interests include dynamical systems and artificial neural networks to identify behavioral patterns in people with (or with increased risk for) chronic conditions. He received his Ph.D. in Preventive Medicine from University of Southern California; and MFA in New Media from The Pennsylvania State University. Outside of work, Ian is an avid long-distance runner, a hobby he finds fulfilling and an opportunity to contribute to charitable causes.
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Post-Doctoral Scholar
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Shiyu Li will join the lab in January 2024 as a postdoctoral scholar.
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Please contact Dr. Conroy if you are interested in a postdoctoral fellowship to obtain specialized training and experience to prepare you for an independent research career.
Graduate Students
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Jingchuan (Jing) Wu is a doctoral candidate 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.
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Yingjia (Belle) Liu is a doctoral student in Kinesiology who joined the Motivation Lab in 2023. She earned her B.S. in Sports Rehabilitation at Shanghai University of Sport, and her M.S. in Physical Activity for Health at the University of Edinburgh. Her current research interest is in developing and testing intervention strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, and playing computer games.
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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.
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Undergraduate Research Assistants
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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.
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Emily Carestia is a senior working towards finishing my bachelors of science in kinesiology-movement science option. I just finished my applications for physical therapy school which I will attend after I graduate in the spring. I will be working with Gabby on TryAim in the Motivation Lab. I am currently the Pre-PT club secretary and the Exercise is Medicine chair for Kinesiology Club. I enjoy playing with my dogs when I'm home, watching the Eagles play, and listening to music.
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Caroline Conroy is is majoring in Psychology with minors in Kinesiology and Sports Studies, and intends to graduate in Spring 2024. She joined the Motivation Research Lab in August 2023 to continue learning about exercise psychology and gain research experience and skills for grad school. After graduating, Caroline hopes to continue in the lab for an additional year before pursuing a master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Outside of the lab, Caroline is a member of Club Gymnastics, Volé Dance Co., and the International Honor Society in Psychology, Psi Chi.
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Sara Cross is majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Psychology at The Pennsylvania State University with an anticipated graduation date of Spring 2025. She joined the Motivation Lab in August 2023 to gain research experience and expand her knowledge following a successful semester with Dr. Conroy in his Kinesiology 321 course. After graduating, Sara intends on attending graduate school to obtain her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. In her free time, she loves to Powerlift, play & watch sports, as well as spending time outdoors.
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Alexa Maiorano is majoring in Kinesiology at The Pennsylvania State University and intends on graduating in Spring 2024. She joined the motivation research lab in January 2022 to expand her knowledge on how to motivate people to be physically active and gain some experience with research. After graduating, Alexa plans on continuing her education and obtaining her Doctorates Degree in Physical Therapy. In her free time, she loves to watch sports, run, and spend time with friends and family.
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Co-Sponsored Pre- & Post-Doctoral and Faculty Mentees at Other Labs or Sites
- Robert Booker, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Scholar, Dept of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University (K99 HL168338)
- Brett Gordon, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow, Oncology, Nutrition & Exercise Group, The Pennsylvania State University
- Erica O'Brien, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow, Center for Healthy Aging (K99 AG075259)
- Danielle Ostendorf, Ph.D. - Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (K01 HL161417; previously F32 DK122652)
- Courtney Stevens, Ph.D. - Research Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Darthmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth University (K08 CA259632)
- Susan Veldheer, D.Ed. - Assistant Professor, Department of Family & Community Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University (KL2 TR002015 and UL1 TR002014)
- Former Mentees
- Natasha Burse, M.P.H. - Predoctoral Fellow, Department of Public Health Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University (K99 CA253762) now at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- 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)
Penn State Partners
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External Partners |
Recent Lab Alumni
- Amanda Rebar, Ph.D. - Senior Lecturer, Central Queensland University (Australia)
- Jaclyn P. Maher, Ph/D. - Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Chih-Hsiang (Jason) Yang, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina
- Ian Kim, PhD - Computational Scientist, The Pennsylvania State University
- Taylor B. Turrisi, M.S. - doctoral student, The Pennsylvania State University
- Ashley West, Ph.D. - Senior Behavioral Designer, Lirio, LLC
- Emily Frith, Ph.D. - Human Factors Scientist, Exponent
- Alexandra M. Lee, Ph.D. - Manager, Clinical Research, WW, Inc.
- Jimikaye B. Courtney, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Jenny Olson, Ph.D. - freelance research consultant
