As a student in the exercise physiology master’s program, you’ll get to work closely with expert faculty, gaining professional experience assisting with their research.
If you’re interested in applying for a position – or to schedule a visit – contact Dr. Paul Nagelkirk, Chair of the School of Kinesiology and Director of the Integrative Exercise Physiology Laboratory.
Contact Director
Current Graduate Assistants
Curtis Cornell
Curtis is a first-year student in the Exercise Physiology M.S program. Following graduation from his undergraduate program at Cornerstone University, with a B.S in Exercise Science, he was employed as a personal trainer at The Exercise Coach where he provided clients with individualized one-on-one or group strength training and aerobic exercise. He is now working at the Integrative Exercise Physiology Lab, assisting ongoing research of tactical athletes, workload, fitness capacity, and enhanced recovery from high intensity exercise. His interest in Exercise Physiology stems from his previous position as a personal trainer, participating in research at his undergraduate program, and personal experience from regular exercise. His goal with research is to find applicable knowledge to help improve the physical performance/recovery of both athletic and general populations. In his free time, he enjoys playing tabletop games, such as euchre, and participating in recreational sports with his current favorite being pickleball.
Charly May
Charly is a first-year student in the Exercise Physiology M.S. Program. She graduated in the Spring of 2025 from the Honors College at Michigan State University with a B.S in Kinesiology and a Minor in Coaching. Her interest in Exercise Physiology was cultivated through her work in the Human Performance and Environmental Research Laboratory (HERL), where she focused on women's health, exploring the cardiovascular adaptations across the phases of the menstrual cycle. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate Exercise Physiology Laboratory course, guiding students through hands-on applications of physiological testing and analysis, and gained applied experience as a CSCS-Athletic Performance Intern with the men's hockey, tennis, women's volleyball, and rowing teams. In addition to her academic and internship work, Charly worked as a personal trainer and built her own online coaching business, Iron Bloom, where she continues to design individualized training and nutrition interventions for health-seeking individuals. She is now working in the Integrative Exercise Physiology Lab, assisting with research on occupational physiology, specifically examining the cardiovascular responses and recovery of firefighters. In her free time, she enjoys strength training and yoga, being outdoors, spending time with loved ones, and is currently prepping for her first bodybuilding competition in November 2025.
Recent Graduates
Sandra Fredericks
Ph.D. Student
University of Georgia
Ian Holder
Scientific Officer
OxiWear
Sydney DeJonge, MS
Ph.D. student
University of Illinois at Chicago
Kayla Rupar, MS
Clinical Research Coordinator
University of Michigan
Carley Shannon, MS
Head Coach - Field Hockey
Hood College
Zachary Martin, PhD
Post Doctoral Fellow
Emory University
Rollins School of Public Health
James Sackett, PhD
Assistant Professor
Cornerstone University
Jake Kimmell, MS
Exercise Physiologist
Community Health Network
Leryn Reynolds, PhD
Assistant Professor in Human Movement Sciences
Old Dominion University
Rebecca Scalzo, PhD
Assistant Professor
Medicine - Endocrinology/Metabolism/Diabetes
University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus