Current and Previous Students

Current Students

John Western, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Pre-Med

Grace Karolewicz, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Psychology

Max Hardiek, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Pre-Med

Max is an undergraduate student in the exercise science program at SIUE. He started in the laboratory the Fall 2023 semester. Josh is currently assisting in athletic performance data to predict injury and return to play in DI athletes. Following graduation Max plans to attend medical school.

Past Students

Jacob Western, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Pre-Med

Jacob is an undergraduate student in the honor’s program and is pre-med at SIUE. He started in the laboratory the Fall 2020 semester. Jacob evaluated the effects of exercise on adipose inflammation. Jacob graduated May 2024 and recently started medical school at SIU-Med.

Josh Behary, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Exercise Science

Josh is an undergraduate student in the exercise science program at SIUE. He started in the laboratory the Spring 2023 semester. Josh and Max worked together on a systematic review evaluating the effects of sleep and stress on injury and performance in volleyball athletes. Josh graduated May 2024 and is presently in graduate school working towards his MPH.

Dana Smith, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Pre-Med

Dana is an undergraduate student in the honor’s program and is pre-med at SIUE. She started in the laboratory the Fall 2019 semester. Dana evaluated the effects of fructose on hepatic de novo lipogenesis and inflammation. Following graduation, Dana plans to attend medical school to be a physician assistant.

Jake Meier, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Exercise Science/Pre-Med

Jake is an undergraduate student in the exercise science program and is pre-med at SIUE. He started in the laboratory the Fall 2022 semester. Jake evaluated the interaction of weight-cycling and exercise on adipose inflammation. Following graduation, Jake plans to attend medical school to be a physician.

Iryna Padoltsava, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Pre-Med

Iryna is an undergraduate student in the honor’s program and is pre-med at SIUe. She started in the laboratory the Fall 2021 semester. She participated in laboratory project until her transfer to the University of Connecticut the end of Spring 2022. Following graduation, Iryna plans to attend medical school.

Haylee Altenburg, Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant in Exercise Physiology, Department of Applied Health

Haylee was a graduate student in the Exercise Physiology program at SIUE. Haylee started in the lab as an undergraduate research assistant Fall 2017 and was actively studying the effects of aging and sex differences on the development of fatty liver disease and fibrosis. For the Fall 2018, Haylee was one of ten students selected to be an URCA Associate to continue her work. Haylee is presently attending graduate school to become a physician assistant.

Taylor Hoeg, Undergraduate Research Associate (URCA) and Student in Nutrition

Taylor was an undergraduate student in the Nutrition program at SIUe. Taylor started in the lab as a research assistant Spring 2019. Taylor studies the effects of weight-loss in obese and overweight women on markers associated with brain health. In Spring 2022, Taylor graduated with a masters in nutrition and dietetics from SIUE.

Kobe Krone, Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant in Exercise Physiology, Department of Applied Health

Kobe was a graduate student in the Exercise Physiology program at SIUe. Kobe started in the lab as an undergraduate research assistant Fall 2018. Kobe studied the effects of a somatostatin type 4 receptor agonist on hepatic cholesterol metabolism in collaboration with the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Dakota Kamm, Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant in Exercise Physiology, Department of Applied Health

Dakota graduated from the graduate Exercise Physiology program in May 2019. Dakota started in the lab as an undergraduate research assistant (URCA) research assistant Fall 2016 and was actively studying the effects of dietary fat on hepatic steatosis. Starting Fall 2017, Dakota is continuing his studies and his work in my lab as a graduate student in the Exercise Physiology program where he will be a graduate teaching assistant. At the 2017 Annual meeting of TACSM in Waco, TX, Dakota presented his research poster entitled “Dietary enrichment of fish-oils attenuates diet-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis” and was awarded 2nd place for his research poster presentation. Recently at the 2018 Annual meeting of TACSM in Austin, TX he presented his research poster entitled “High-fat high-fructose diet and sex differences induce alteration in markers of blood brain barrier integrity in age-accelerated mice” and was awarded 2nd place for his research poster presentation. In Fall 2021, Dakota started working on his Ph.D. at Washington University -St.Louis.

Megan Schaller, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Applied Health

Megan is a graduate student in the Exercise Physiology program at SIUe. Megan started in the lab as an undergraduate (URCA) research assistant Spring 2016 and was actively studying the effects of diet on the progression of hepatic inflammation to fibrosis using an in situ LPS model. As a graduate student Megan is actively involved in a joint project with the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences studying the role of diet on the blood brain barrier. Recently, Megan attended and presented her work entitled "Fish-oils increase BAMBI expression to protect against fibrotic activity in LPS stimulated hepatic tissue" at the 2017 TACSM

Meeting in Waco, TX. At the meeting, Megan was awarded 1st place for her research poster presentation. In the Summer of 2018, Megan started her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan.

Matt Harris, Graduate Student and Research Technician, Departments of Applied and Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Matt earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from University of Maryland and completed his M.S. in Exercise Physiology during the Summer 2016. Matt was hired on as research technician Summer 2016 and was responsible for oversight of laboratory activities and training on new undergraduate research assistants. Matt

investigated the effects of diet on mitochondrial autophagy and its association with the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in an age accelerated murine model. He presented a poster presentation entitle "The effects of physical activity on markers of hepatic lipid metabolism during weight cycling" at the 2016 annual meeting of Texas chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine and national ACSM meeting. Recently, Matt attended and presented his work at the 2017 TACSM Meeting in Waco, TX. Matt’s research poster was entitled "The effect of a Western diet on hepatic autophagy in age accelerated SAMP8

mice.” Matt presented his research at both the annual ACSM meeting in Denver, CO and Experimental Biology meeting in Chicago, IL in 2017. In the Fall 2021, Matt completed his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology at the University of Iowa.

Ryan Gordon, Graduate Intern, Department of Applied Health

Ryan was a graduate student in the Exercise Physiology program at SIUe. Ryan started in the lab as a graduate student Spring 2017 and was actively studying the effects of dietary fats on proteins that regulate hepatic cellular regeneration and fibrosis. In the Spring 2021, Ryan completed his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology at Texas Woman’s University. Presently, Ryan is an Assistant Professor at Drury University.

Andrew Seija, Graduate Teaching Assistant and Student, Department of Applied Health

Andrew was a graduate student in the Exercise Physiology program at SIUe. Andrew started in the lab as an undergraduate (URCA) research assistant Spring 2014 and was actively studying the effects of physical activity on hepatic inflammation during weight-loss. As an undergraduate, Andrew presented his research poster entitled "The effects of physical activity on hepatic inflammation during weight-loss” at the annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in February 2015. 

Marcus Breden, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Exercise Science/Biomedical Sciences

Marcus was an undergraduate student in the Exercise Science program at SIUe. Marcus started in the lab as a research assistant Fall 2014 and was actively studying the effects of body composition and fat distribution changes that occur during weight-loss on markers of metabolic disease. He has presented some of his

research as a poster at the 2016 annual meeting of Texas chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine. Awarded the TACSM Major of the year award. His research poster was entitled "The effect of gender on circulating adipokines during weight loss and weight maintenance.” Recently, Marcus attended and presented his work entitled "The relationship of visceral adipose tissue with markers of energy homeostasis following weight-loss" at the 2017 TACSM Meeting in Waco, TX. 

Dioblo Smith, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Biomedical Sciences

Dioblo was an undergraduate student in the Biomedical Science program at SIUe. Dioblo started in the lab as a research assistant Fall 2016 and was actively studying the effects of diet on the development of hepatic steatosis using an age-accelerated mouse model. 

Rachael Hartke, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Biomedical Sciences

Rachael started in the lab Fall 2014 as a junior undergraduate student in the Biomedical Sciences program at SIUe. During her two years in the lab, Rachael was actively studying the effects of physical activity on adipose metabolism during weight-regain. Rachael presented her research as poster at the 2016 annual meeting of Texas chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine. She was awarded 2nd place for her research poster presentation. Her research poster was entitled "The effects of physical activity on markers of adipose inflammation during weight cycling." Starting Fall 2016, Rachael began graduate school to earn her degree to become a physician assistant.

Kevin Eck, Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant and Student in Exercise Physiology

Kevin earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from SIUe and started his graduate studies in Fall 2013. Kevin was a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. Kevin investigated the effects of physical activity on hepatic inflammation during weight-loss for his Master’s thesis

project.

Kaylee Poole, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Pre-Pharmacy

Kaylee started in the lab as an undergraduate (URCA) research assistant Spring 2014 and actively studied the effects of physical activity on hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism during weight-loss. Kaylee presented her research at the annual meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in February 2015. At the meeting, Kaylee was awarded 3rd place for her research poster presentation entitled "The effects of physical activity on hepatic lipid metabolism during weight-loss.”  Kaylee graduated from the PharmD Program in the Department of Pharmacy at SIUe.

Kelsey Stout, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Exercise Science

Kelsey graduated from the undergraduate Exercise Science program at SIUe in May 2014. Kelsey started in the lab as a research assistant Spring 2013 and was actively exploring the effects of high-fructose consumption during weight-loss on hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism. Kelsey presented her research at the 2014 annual meeting of Texas chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in Ft. Worth, TX. At the meeting, Kelsey was awarded 2nd place for her research poster presentation entitled "The lipogenic effect of high-fructose consumption on NAFLD during weight loss.” She also presented her work at the 2014 national

meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Orldando, FL. Kelsey graduated from Bradley University with DPT.

Tayler Nick, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Exercise Science

Tayler graduated from the undergraduate Exercise Science program at SIUe in May 2014. Tayler started in the lab as a research assistant Spring 2013 and focused her studies on the effects of a high-fat diet composed of omega-3 fatty acids on hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism. Tayler presented her research at the 2014 annual meeting of Texas chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in Ft. Worth, TX. At the meeting, Tayler was awarded 1st place for her research poster presentation entitled "Independent and combined effects of Menhaden oil and high fructose on hepatic lipid metabolism.” She also presented her work at the 2014 national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Orldando, FL. Tayler was also a graduate student and graduate teaching assistant at SIUE in the M.S. Exercise Physiology program.

R. Quinton Peters, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Exercise Science

Quinton started in the lab as a research assistant Fall 2013 and has played an essential role with determining tissue metabolic analyses. Quinton is presently attending Bradley University to earn his doctorate in physical therapy.

Justin Stout, Graduate Research Assistant and Student in Exercise Physiology

Justin joined SIUe and the Exercise Physiology Laboratory in the Fall of 2011 after completing his B.S. in Exercise Science from Murray State University. Justin was a Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education. In addition, Justin as served as the lab manager, supervising both undergraduate and graduate research. Justin presented a research poster entitled "Effects of weight loss and maintenance on hormones associated with hunger and satiety" at the 2013 annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Indianapolis, IN. Justin graduated Summer 2013 as is presently working in cardiac rehabilitation.

Alissa Yoder, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Biomedical Science

Alissa was a research assistant Fall 2012-Summer 2013 and was active in the lab's role of analyzing plasma markers for the Weight Management Clinic. In addition, Alissa was actively involved with the analysis of cardiac and hepatic tissue metabolism from obese/diabetic and human apo E3/4 knock-in mice. Alissa

presented her research at the 2013 annual meeting of Texas chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine in Austin, TX. At the meeting, Alissa was awarded 2nd place for her research poster presentation entitled "Effects of Human Apolipoprotein E3 and E4 Genotypes on Cardiometabolic Risk."

Christopher (Max) Orris, Undergraduate Research Assistant (URCA) and Student in Exercise Science

Max graduated from SIUe with a B.S. in Exercise Science. Max worked in the lab as a research assistant the Fall 2012 semester and was active in analyzing plasma markers for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and appetite regulation from the Weight Management Clinic. Following graduation, started his attendance at Logan College of Chiropractic University Programs.

Michael Holly, Graduate Teaching Assistant and Student in Exercise Physiology

Michael joined SIUe and the Exercise Physiology Laboratory in the Fall of 2010. Michael was a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and completed his thesis and graduate studies in the Spring of 2012. Michael presented his thesis entitled "Peak Oxygen Uptake is Negatively Associated with Total Heart Disease Risk Factors in Obese Adults Free of Diagnosed Heart Disease" at both the 2012 Graduate School Research Symposium and as a research poster at the 2012 annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in San Francisco, CA. Michael is presently attending physical therapy school at the University of Kentucky.

Lauren Merz, Undergraduate Intern and Student in Exercise Science

Lauren worked in the lab Fall 2011 to Spring 2012 semester as an intern. She was actively involved in a collaborative project with the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences studying the effects of a peroxynitrite catabolizing agent on hepatic steatosis and type 2 diabetes. Lauren presented a research poster entitled "SR-135, A Peroxynitrite Decomposing Catalyst, Reduces Pos-Prandial Lipemia in B6D2F1 Mice Fed an Obesogenic Diet" at the 2012 Graduate School Research Symposium. Following graduation, Lauren started her graduate studies at SIUE in exercise physiology.