Jake Melaro
jmelaro@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136
Research Interests
Lower Extremity Biomechanics, Biomechanical factors influencing Sport Performance, Biomechanics of Gait, Baseball Hitting & Pitching Biomechanics
Faculty Advisor
Joshua T. Weinhandl, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 332L | Applied Anatomy Laboratory |
Education
| MS | University of Memphis | Biomechanics |
| BS | University of Tennessee, Martin | Exercise Science |
Lauren Schroeder
lschroe1@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136
Research Interests
Lower extremity injury prevention, ACL injury biomechanics, sports performance biomechanics, softball ACL injury biomechanics
Faculty Advisor
Joshua T. Weinhandl, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 422L | Biomechanics of Human Movement Laboratory |
| PYED 254 | Yoga and Relaxation |
| PYED 237 | Stress Management |
| PYED 252 | Weight Training |
Education
| MS | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Kinesiology (Biomechanics concentration) |
| BS | Ball State University | Exercise Science (Basic and Applied Track) |
Recognition
2017 J. Wallace & Katie Dean Graduate Research Fellowship recipient
2017 Tennessee Fellowship for Graduate Excellence recipient
Abstracts
Schroeder LE, Valenzuela KA, Zhang S, Orme JG, Weinhandl JT. Knee Adduction Moment and Muscle Activation During a Sidecut on a Raised Surface. Submitted to the American Society of Biomechanics. August 2017; Boulder, CO.
Peel SA, Schroeder LE, Weinhandl JT. Unanticipated Cutting and Stopping Tasks Do Not Predict the Same ACL Injury Risk. Submitted to the XXVI Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics. July 2017; Brisbane, QLD, AU.
Articles in Review
Peel SA, Schroeder LE, Weinhandl JT. The Effects of a Run-Stop and Cutting Task on ACL-injury Risk Mechanisms. In review for Physical Therapy in Sport.
Valenzuela KA, Schroeder LE, Weinhandl JT, Cates HE, Zhang S. Strength and Balance Deficits Affecting Patient Satisfaction for Total Knee Replacements. In review for Journal of Orthopaedic Research.
Valenzuela KA, Schroeder LE, Weinhandl JT, Reinbolt J, Zakrajsek R, Cates HE, Zhang S. Overground Walking Biomechanics of Dissatisfied Total Knee Replacement Patients. In review for Journal of Biomechanics.
Tanner Thorsen
tthorsen@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136
Research Interests
Cycling biomechanics, Lower extremity biomechanics, Total Knee Replacement, Knee Osteoarthritis, sports injury prevention and performance biomechanics
Faculty Advisor
Songning Zhang, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 332L | Applied Anatomy Laboratory |
| KNS 422L | Biomechanics of Human Movement Laboratory |
Education
| MS | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Kinesiology (Biomechanics concentration) |
| BS | Brigham Young University | Exercise Science |
Recognition
2018 Tennessee Fellowship for Graduate Excellence
Recent Publications
Thorsen T, K Strohacker, JT Weinhandl, S Zhang. Increased Q-Factor increases frontal-plane knee joint loading in stationary cycling. Journal of Sport and Health Science 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2019.07.011
Cory Beaumont
cbeaumo1@vols.utk.edu
HPER 303
Research Interests
Affective responses and perceptual experiences to physical activity and resistance exercise; improving exercise adherence
Faculty Advisor
Kelley Strohacker, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 480 | Physiology of Exercise |
Education
| MS | University of Pittsburgh | Health, Physical Activity, and Chronic Disease |
| BS | Edinboro University | Human Performance |
Paula-Marie M. Ferrara
pferrar1@vols.utk.edu
HPER 314
Research Interests
Exercise promotion and adherence in sedentary adults; exercise behavior in transitional athletes
Faculty Advisor
Kelley Strohacker, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 414 | Exercise Prescription and Testing |
Education
| MS | University of Delaware | Clinical Exercise Physiology |
| BS | University of Delaware | Exercise Science (Physiology concentration) |
Aaron Wood
awood46@vols.utk.edu
HPER 305
Research Interests
The relationships among physical activity, motor skill development, and self-regulation in preschool children
Faculty Advisor
Dawn P. Coe, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 350 GTA | Physical Activity Epidemiology |
Education
| MS | East Carolina University | Physical Activity Promotion |
| BS | East Carolina University | Health & Fitness Specialist |
Ashley Cae Gardner
agardn25@vols.utk.edu
HPER 233
Research Interests
Human resource management in sport; racial diversity in sport organizations; constraints to career mobility for people of color in sport organizations; corporate cultures of sport organizations
Faculty Advisors
Steven Waller, PhD and Adam Love, PhD
Education
| MA | University of Michigan | Sport Management |
| BS | Hampton University | Sport Management |
Patrick Crowe
pcrowe@vols.utk.edu
Research Interests
Power dynamics in sport, sport media representations, portrayals of minoritized communities, sport for social change.
Faculty Advisors
Lars Dzikus, PhD and Adam Love, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 330 | Sport Communication |
| RSM 335 | Sociocultural Foundations of Sport and Recreation |
Education
| MS | University of Rhode Island | Cultural Studies of Sport |
| BS | University of Kentucky | Kinesiology |
Lauren Beasley, LMSW
lauren.beasley@utk.edu
HPER 22
Research Interests
Mental health of collegiate athletes, mental health programming in athletic departments, and social work in sport
Faculty Advisor
Robin Hardin, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 250 | Foundations of Sport Management |
| RSM 335 | Sociocultural Foundations of Sport and Recreation |
| RSM 410 | Intercollegiate Athletics |
Education
| MSW | The University of Texas at San Antonio | Social Work |
| BA | The University of Texas at Austin | American Studies, Latin |
Chermaine Cole
ccole35@vols.utk.edu
Research Interests
Constraints to career mobility for African American women in sports and recreation; racial diversity in sports organizations; sport for social change
Faculty Advisor
Steven Waller, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 335 | Sociocultural Foundations of Sport and Recreation |
| RSM 430 | Administration of Therapeutic Recreation Services (Teaching Assistant) |
Education
| MS | Georgia State University | Sport Administration |
| BS | Louisiana State University | Kinesiology |
Emily Johnson
ejohn112@vols.utk.edu
HPER 22
Research Interests
Employee rights in sport workplaces; psychology of employee performance; religion and sport
Faculty Advisor
Steven Waller, PhD
Courses Taught
| PYED 202 | Badminton |
| PYED 230 | Fitness Swimming |
| PYED 239 | Beginner Swimming |
| PYED 252 | Weight Training |
| PYED 254 | Yoga and Relaxation |
Education
| MS | University of Tennessee | Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior |
| BS | Baylor University | Health Science Studies |
Jamee Ann Pelcher, MBA
jpelche1@vols.utk.edu
HPER 233
Research Interests
Sport Sustainability
Faculty Advisor
Sylvia Trendafilova, PhD
Education
| MBA | Western Carolina University | Sport Management Concentration |
| Certificate | Seattle University | Sport Sustainability Leadership Graduate Certificate |
| BS, BA | Western Carolina University | Finance and Sport Management |
Publications
Orr, M., Rowand, M., McCullough, B., & Pelcher, J. A. (2020). Green teams, living labs and venue tours: Using sport as a venue and vehicle to elevate transformative sustainability learning. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education.
McCullough, B. P., Pelcher, J. A., & Trendafilova, S. (2020). An exploratory analysis of the environmental sustainability performance signaling communications among North American sport organizations. Sustainability. 12(5), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051950
Pelcher, J. A., & McCullough, B. P. (2019). Greening the university’s front porch: Environmental sustainability in collegiate athletics. Case Studies in Sport Management, 8(1),13-17. https://doi.org/10.1123/cssm.2019-0005
Parrish, C., & Pelcher, J. (2018). United States. In J.-M. De Waele, S. Gibril, E. Gloriozova, R. Spaaij (Eds.), The Palgrave International Handbook of Football and Politics (pp. 531-555). London: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 978-3-319-78776-3
Kelsie Saxe
ksaxe@vols.utk.edu
HPER 22
Research Interests
Organizational behavior in collegiate athletics; organizational culture; psychological safety; coach-athlete relationship
Faculty Advisor
Rob Hardin, PhD
Courses Taught
| RSM 250 | Foundations of Sport Management |
Education
| MS | University of Tennessee | Kinesiology and Sport Studies |
| BS | University of Idaho | Public Relations and Communication |
Scott Smith
scottsmith@utk.edu
HPER 351
865-974-8171
Courses Taught
| RSM 100 | Orientation to Recreation & Sport Management |
| KNS 260 | Practicum in Kinesiology |
Education
| MS | University of Florida | Sport Management |
| BS | University of Florida | Business Administration |
Alexander Bianco
abianco@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144
Research Interests
Psychological aspects of sport injury
Faculty Advisor
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 290 | Principles of Movement Control & Skill Learning |
| PYED 252 | Weight Training |
| PYED 254 | Yoga & Relaxation |
Education
| MS | Miami University | Kinesiology & Health |
| BA | Miami University | Psychology |
Victoria Bradshaw
Research Interests
Examining the intersection of race and gender in the athletic arena and how this impacts perceptions of sport enjoyment.
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Leslee Fisher
Courses Taught
| KNS 231 | Introduction to Sport Psychology |
| PYED 200 | Mind & Body Training |
| PYED 226 | Exercise & Nutrition |
| PYED 244 | Beginning Tennis |
Education
| MA | John F. Kennedy University | Sport Psychology |
| BA | Willamette University | Psychology |
Logan Markwell
lmarkwel@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144
Research Interests
Focus of attention, instruction, feedback, and virtual reality to improve skill acquisition and optimize the performance of motor skills
Faculty Advisor
Jared M. Porter, PhD
Courses Taught
| PYED 229 | Jogging |
| PYED 236 | Softball |
| PYED 252 | Weight Training |
Education
| MS | Southern Illinois University | Kinesiology (Exercise Science concentration) |
| BA | Southern Illinois University | Criminal Justice |
Lauren McHenry
lmchenr1@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144
Research Interests
Application of person-centered theory to coach-athlete relationships; impact of unconditional positive regard, negative regard, or disregard from coaches on athletes’ performance and wellbeing; education in sport for coaches, athletes, parents, and officials
Faculty Advisor
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 231 | Introduction to Sport Psychology |
| PYED 225 | Exercise to Music |
| PYED 226 | Exercise & Nutrition |
| PYED 231 | Walking & Flexibility |
| PYED 237 | Stress Management |
| PYED 252 | Weight Training |
| PYED 254 | Yoga & Relaxation |
Education
| MS | University of Tennessee | Clinical Mental Health Counseling |
| BS | Miami University | Psychology (Minor in Sport Coaching) |
Lindsey Miossi
lmiossi@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144
Research Interests
Coach bullying, athletes’ experiences of emotional abuse and bullying in sport, sport policy, and education in sport for athletes, parents, coaches and sport stakeholders
Faculty Advisor
Leslee A. Fisher, PhD
Courses Taught
| KNS 231 | Introduction to Sport Psychology |
| PYED 200 | Special Topics |
| PYED 229 | Jogging |
| PYED 230 | Fitness Swimming |
| PYED 237 | Stress Management |
| PYED 239 | Beginning Swimming |
Education
| MS | University of Illinois at Chicago | Kinesiology (Psychology and Promotion of Exercise, Health, and Sport Behavior concentration) |
| BS | University of Illinois at Chicago | Kinesiology (Exercise Science and Health Promotion concentration) |
Recent Publications
Prewitt-White, T., Miossi, L., & Spirov, L. (2019). Pregnancy and physical activity: Dispelling the myths that disempower women. Journal of Women’s Health & Safety Research, 3(3), 123-126.
Rachel Williams
rwill175@vols.utk.edu
Research Interests
Teaching practices in higher education based on psychological theories and framework, psychosocial aspects of youth sports, youth athletes leadership, and life-skill development
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Jedediah Blanton
Courses Taught
| KNS 290 | Principles of Movement Control and Skill Learning |
| PYED 200 | Mind & Body Training |
| PYED 237 | Stress Management |
Education
| MS | East Carolina University | Sport and Exercise Psychology |
| BS | University of North Carolina, Wilmington | Exercise Science |
Recent Publications
Williams, R. E., Barreria, T. V., & Tseh, W. (2020). Fitness-related benefits: land-based versus aqua-base. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 60(1), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09675-0