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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Post-Doctoral Fellows
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 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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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Madison Kuzmich is majoring in Biobehavioral Health and minoring in Kinesiology with an anticipated graduate date of Spring 2023. Madison is a member of the Schreyer Honors College and joined the Motivation Lab in June 2022. Her honors thesis is a study of the feasibility of implementing a fluid intake intervention with sedentary office workers. Madison’s post-graduation plans include taking a gap year to work full-time and then applying to medical school. In her free time, Madison enjoys thrifting, cooking, reading, and doing Pilates.
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Co-Sponsored Pre- & Post-Doctoral and Faculty Mentees at Other Labs or Sites
- 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, MFA - doctoral student, University of Southern California
- 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
