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.

We have an opening for a Human Research Technologist 1. Check out the ad and apply online.

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

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.
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.
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.

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)
  • 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

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