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Current Doctoral Students

Sean Brown
sbrow159@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136

Research Interests

Lower Extremity Biomechanics, Biomechanics of Gait, Biomechanics of Pathologic Gait, Biomechanics of Athletic Footwear, Cycling Biomechanics, Biomechanical factors influencing Sport Performance

Faculty Advisor
Songning Zhang, Ph.D.

Courses Taught

KNS 332 Lab Applied Anatomy Laboratory
KNS 422 Lab Biomechanics of Human Movement
KNS 531 Lab Graduate Biomechanics Laboratory

Education

MA California State University, Chico Kinesiology
BS California State University, Chico Exercise Physiology

Jake Melaro
jmelaro@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136

Research Interests
Lower Extremity Biomechanics, influencing Sport Performance and Injury Prevention, ACL Injury Biomechanics, Gait Biomechanics, Baseball Hitting & Pitching Biomechanics

Faculty Advisor
Joshua T. Weinhandl, PhD

Courses Taught

KNS 332 Lab Applied Anatomy Laboratory
KNS 422 Lab Biomechanics of Human Movement

Education

MS University of Memphis Biomechanics
BS University of Tennessee, Martin Exercise Science & Wellness

Walter Menke
wmenke@vols.utk.edu
HPER 136

Research Interests
Joint and cartilage health analysis in osteoarthritic groups, primarily in the older population. Therapy interventions and gait alteration to prevent cartilage degradation.

Faculty Advisor
Songning Zhang, Ph.D.

Courses Taught

KNS 332 Lab Applied Anatomy Laboratory

Education

MS University of Kentucky Biomechanics
BS University of Kentucky Kinesiology and Health Promotion

Kaileigh Estler
kestler1@vols.utk.edu
HPER

Research Interests

Faculty Advisor

Courses Taught

KNS

Education

MS
BS

Joshua Lardie
jlardie@vols.utk.edu
HPER

Research Interests

Faculty Advisor

Courses Taught

KNS

Education

MS
BS

Douglas Gregory
dgrego13@vols.utk.edu
HPER

Research Interests

How the built environment impacts physical activity and overall health and well-being

Faculty Advisor
Dr. Eugene Fitzhugh

Courses Taught

Currently an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science at Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, TN

Education

MS  University of Tennessee, Knoxville  Exercise Physiology
BS  University of South Carolina  Exercise and Sport Science

Adam Ibrahim
aibrah11@vols.utk.edu
HPER 303

Research Interests

Application and utilization of autoregulation in resistance training, performance and physique optimization, psycho-behavioral aspects of exercise, and dieting adherence.

Faculty Advisor
Kelley Strohacker, Ph.D.

Courses Taught

KNS 480 Lab Physiology of Exercise

Education

MS University of South Florida Exercise Science and Strength & Conditioning
BS University of South Florida Exercise Science

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

Ilina Arsova
iarsova@vols.utk.edu
HPER 233

Research Interests

  • Sport diplomacy
  • Gender equality in sport / Gender issues in extreme sports / Phenomenology of fear in climbing sports
  • Outdoor Sports for well-being & mental health / Adventure tourism

Faculty Advisors
Dr. Lars Dzikus

Courses Taught

RSM 337  Women in Sport: An International Perspective
RSM 440  Sport Marketing

Education

MA University of Orleans, France and Philological faculty, Skopje  Languages, Business and Int. Trade
BA University Ss Cyril and Methodius, Skopje Fine Arts, Painting and Art Pedagogy

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

Jessica Hamdan
jhamdan@vols.utk.edu
HPER 22
Research Interests
Experiences of transgender athletes in sport; gender equality in sport; physiology of transgender athletes
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Adam Love
Courses Taught

PYED 231  Walking & Flexibility
PYED 232  Racquetball I

Education

MS  Temple University  Kinesiology
BS  Eastern University  Exercise Science

Ashley Hamilton headshotAshley Hamilton
apinkert@vols.utk.edu
HPER 326
Research Interests

Faculty Advisor
Dr. 
Courses Taught

 RSM
 RSM

Education

MS
BS

Hunter Porter
hporter8@vols.utk.edu
HPER

Research Interests

Faculty Advisor
Robin Hardin, PhD

Courses Taught

RSM
RSM
RSM
RSM

Education

MS
BA

Chermaine Cole
ccole35@vols.utk.edu
Research Interests
Career experiences of African American women in sports and recreation; racial diversity in sport organizations; organizational behavior; public administration

Faculty Advisor
Steven Waller, PhD

Courses Taught

RSM 310  Developing and Evaluating Therapeutic Recreation Programs
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

Girl Blonde hair headshot

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

Kelsie Saxe
ksaxe@vols.utk.edu 
HPER 22
Research Interests
High-performance cultures, leadership, the interface between wellness and performance within teams
Faculty Advisor
Rob Hardin, PhD


Courses Taught

RSM 250  Foundations of Sport Management
RSM 335  Socio-Cultural Foundations of Sport and Recreation

Education

MS University of Tennessee Kinesiology and Sport Studies
BS University of Idaho Public Relations and Communication

Shane Thomson
sthomso2@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144

Research Interests

Resilience and thriving for individuals and teams. The importance of an inter-professional team in athlete performance. How mental skill training in sport can apply to other high performing domains. Bridging the gap between mental skill training and physical practice: from classroom to field.

Faculty Advisor
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek, PhD

Courses Taught

 KNS 231   Intro to Sport Psychology
 PYED 200   Applying Sport Psyc Techniques
 PYED 211  Golf
 PYED 226  Exercise & Nutrition
 PYED 229  Jogging
 PYED 252   Weight Training

Education

MS  Portsmouth University (England)  Sport and Exercise Psychology
BS   Loughborough University (England)  Psychology

Shelby Miller
smill134@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144

Research Interests
Coach-athlete relationship, coach education/ athlete development, unconditional positive regard / unconditional positive self-regard in athletics

Faculty Advisor
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek, PhD

Courses Taught

KNS 231  Introduction to Sport Psychology
PYED 240  Intermediate Swimmning
PYED 244  Beginning Tennis

Education

MS  University of Tennessee, Knoxville  Kinesiology
BES  Thomas More University  Exercise Science

 

Andy Shaw
ashaw39@vols.utk.edu
HPER 129

Research Interests

The use of Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies in learning motor skills especially in procedural tasks seen in fields such as manufacturing, maintenance, aviation, emergency response, and medicine.

Faculty Advisor
Jared M. Porter, PhD 

Additional Information

I’m not teaching, but am a GA for the SERVE program. Administering the Shaping Experiential Research for Veteran Education (SERVE) program, which aims to engage veterans in research experiences that address US Navy research priorities and boost the number of veterans with graduate degrees in STEM-related fields.

Education

MS Systems Engineering Naval Postgraduate School
BS Naval Architecture US Naval Academy

Andrew Strick
astrick@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144

Research Interests

Faculty Advisor


Courses Taught

PYED
PYED
PYED

Education

MS
BA

Rachel Williams
rwill175@vols.utk.edu

Research Interests

Psychosocial outcomes of youth sport, education-based athletics, the development of leadership and other life skills, literature crossovers between motor behavior and sport psychology

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
PYED 239 Beginning Swimming
PYED 240 Intermediate Swimming
PYED 252 Weight Training

Education

MS East Carolina University Sport and Exercise Psychology
BS University of North Carolina, Wilmington Exercise Science

Recent Publications

Williams, Rachel E.; Habeeb, Christine M.; Raedeke, Thomas D.; Dlugonski, Dee; and DuBose, Katrina D. (In-Press) “Parent Motivational Climate, Sport Enrollment Motives, and Young Athlete Commitment and Enjoyment,” International Journal of Exercise Science. 

 

Williams, R. E., Barreria, T. V., & Tseh, W. (2019). Fitness-related benefits: land-based versus aqua-base. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness60(1), 26–31. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09675-0

 

Joei Velten
jvelten@vols.utk.edu
HPER 144

Research Interests
Attentional focus, motor skill learning, optimal performance strategies

Faculty Advisor
Jared M. Porter, PhD


Courses Taught

PYED 237 Stress Management
PYED 252 Weight Training

Education

MS Florida State University Sport Psychology
BS Texas Christian University Kinesiology