PhD Students
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John Abbott, MS, CSCS
John is a first year PhD student in the Sport Physiology and Performance program. Originally from southern New Jersey, John earned his B.S. in Kinesiology and M.S. In Exercise and Sport Physiology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. As a former DII competitive diver and competitive cyclist, John is eager to combine his passion for power and agility with endurance sports. John has served as a strength and conditioning coach in two private-sector strength facilities working with high school athletes as well as the Junior Flyers Developmental Hockey program. John also worked with Cadence Cycling and Multisport, Philadelphia, PA, as an exercise physiologist, bicycle fitter and mechanic. John conducted VO2 maximum, lactate threshold, and metabolic efficiency tests on amateur and elite-level athletes, as well performed bicycle fittings using Retul technology. His research interests include: strength training effect on endurance athletes, wearable technology, muscle oxygenation based training, as well as bicycle fit modifications and the effect on performance. |
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Abdulmalek Bursais
Malek is from Saudi Arabia. He is a former athlete for the Saudi National tennis teams. He played in the Davis Cup and the Asia Olympic Games, "Guangzhou 2010", with the Saudi men's tennis team. Malek earned his B.S. in Physical Education from King Faisal University, and M.S. in Physical Education with a concentration in Coaching from Indiana State University. He is a first year PhD student with a concentration in Sport Performance. He's married with a son on the way. |
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Christine Coniglio, MA, CSCS
Christy is a first year PhD student in the Sport Physiology and Sport Performance program. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Christy is a returning student to the ETSU Sport Science program, having earned her MA in Kinesiology and Sport Studies in 2014. After graduating from ETSU, she served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at East Carolina University, Strength and Conditioning Program Developer for Raleigh Police SWAT, & Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Armstrong State University in Savannah, GA. Christy also served as a full-time faculty member at Armstrong State University and has taught numerous courses related to exercise physiology and strength and conditioning. As a former collegiate athlete, she came to understand the importance of strength and conditioning as well as the need for appropriately trained strength and conditioning coaches. She has given a variety of presentations to organizations such the NSCA and CSCCA stressing practical application and scientific foundations in strength and conditioning. Her research interests include long term monitoring and development, quantifying on-field/court workloads through wearable technologies, and coach education. |
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Aaron Cunanan, MS, CSCS, USAW
Aaron is in the Sport Physiology and Performance doctoral program at ETSU. He received his master's degree in kinesiology from LSU Shreveport. Aaron served as an assistant coach under Dr. Kyle Pierce at the USA Weightlifting Center for High Performance and Development in Shreveport, La., from 2011 through 2016. In addition to coaching, Aaron worked for three years as an exercise physiologist at an outpatient physical therapy clinic. He has also been an adjunct instructor at his alma mater since 2012. Aaron currently serves as an assistant coach at the designated Olympic Training Site at ETSU for weightlifting, as well as a member of the sport science staff. His research interests include adaptations to resistance training, coach education, and long-term athlete development. Aaron resides in Johnson City, Tenn., with his wife and their three children. |
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Asher Flynn, MS, CSCS
Asher is a second year student in ETSU’s Sport Physiology and Performance PhD program. He completed his BS of exercise science from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. After a brief break from school, he attended the University of Central Arkansas where he received his MS of Kinesiology. During his time in Conway, he worked as the strength and conditioning coach for the women’s basketball and soccer teams. Asher’s career goals are to become a professor as well as a strength and conditioning coach. His research interests include recovery, periodization, and plyometrics. |
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Kaela Hierholzer, MS
Kaela is a first year PhD student in the Sport Physiology and Performance program. Originally from Ohio, she earned her B.A. in Exercise Science - Health Management from Adrian College, where she played golf and ran track, and she earned her M.S. in Exercise Physiology and Fitness Leadership from Northern Illinois University. Prior to coming to ETSU, Kaela has served on multiple coaching staffs throughout various sports. Most recently, she was a Golf Professional for many years, as well as an Exercise Physiologist for the United States Air Force. Her research interests include the relationship between golf performance and sport science, tactical strength and conditioning, supplementation, and wearable technology. |
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Henry Lang, MA, USAW, TRX, ACE
Henry is a first year PhD student in the Sport Physiology program. Originally from Iowa, he earned his master's in Kinesiology – Strength and Conditioning, from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). He served as an assistant strength coach for the UNI volleyball and football teams, as well as the Assistant Fitness Coordinator. Prior to attending ETSU, Henry held a personal training role in Seattle, WA at Pro Sports Club. The club focused on implementing habit-changing protocols, helping clients normalize weight and metabolic factors. His research interests include muscle damage bio-markers resulting from resistance training, and muscle remodeling brought on by training maximum power output. |
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Jason P. McCleery, CSCS, TSAC-F, NSCA-CPT
Jason is a first year PhD student. Previously, he worked for Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy in Vail, CO as a strength & conditioning coach for the acrobatic athletes (Freeski, Freestyle, and Snowboard). While in Colorado, he also served as an intern at the NSCA World Headquarters in Colorado Springs. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Western Illinois University and now works with the Milligan College Women’s Basketball team. He plans to pursue a career in strength and conditioning and to become a professor. |
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Paul Moquin, MS, CSCS, TSAC-F, USAW-1
Paul is a first year PhD student in the Sports Physiology and Performance program. He received his B.S in Exercise Science from the University of Pittsburgh and his M.S in Exercise Science from The George Washington University. While attending GW, he was a graduate assistant for the Center for Weight Loss and Human Performance Lab. During this time, he was also the strength and conditioning intern with the Washington Wizards of the NBA. After graduation, he went on to intern at the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Headquarters in Colorado Springs. The two years prior to attending ETSU, Paul trained a myriad of athletes from the professional, college and high school setting in both Pennsylvania and DMV area. His research interest entails cognitive testing and return to play of injured athletes. |
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Robert W. Sausaman, MS, MBA, CSCS
Robert is a second year PhD student in the Sport Physiology & Sports Performance program at ETSU. He is currently working as a sport scientist with the Buc’s women’s soccer team. Robert is a graduate of the University of Memphis, where he earned a BA in Finance, as well as master’s degrees in Business Administration and Health and Sports Sciences. A native of Gainesville, FL, Robert played college soccer at the University of Memphis from 2005-2009. Following his soccer career, Robert served two internships with the Memphis Football Strength & Conditioning staff. In 2010, Robert was hired as an assistant coach/performance coach for the University of Memphis men’s soccer team, a position he held for 5 seasons. In addition to his coaching duties at the collegiate level, Robert coached 4 seasons with under 9 youth soccer teams. Prior to enrolling in the PhD. Program at ETSU, he spent the season working under Coach Tom Myslinski at the Jacksonville Jaguars as a Strength & Conditioning associate. Robert’s interests include high performance management in elite sports, coaching theory, athlete monitoring, and long-term athlete development. |
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Austin Smith, MS, ACSM-EPC
Austin is a first year PhD student in the Sport Physiology and Performance Program. He received a BS in Exercise Science and a MS in Exercise Science with a specialization in Human Performance from Liberty University. From 2011 to 2015, he worked as a coach’s assistant with the Liberty University Track and Field Team dealing primarily with video and technique analysis with field event athletes. He worked as an intern with Professional Referee Organization working with GPS monitoring systems and data analysis. During his master’s degree, he worked as a biomechanics lab graduate assistant and was a volunteer strength coach for the Liberty Men’s Club Ultimate Frisbee Team. His research interests include programming and recovery with ultra-endurance athletes, monitoring and wearable technology, and biomechanics. |
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Joanne Spalding, MBA, BA
Joanne is a second year PhD student in the Sport Physiology & Sport Performance program at ETSU. She received her M.A. in Sport Physiology & Performance from ETSU in 2016. A native of Erskine, Scotland, Spalding earned her master's of business administration degree from Averett in 2010 and graduated with honors from Northeastern State University (OK) in 2008 with a degree in health and human performance, and a minor in psychology. Spalding played four years at NSUOK and was a two-year captain. Joanne joined the ETSU women’s soccer coaching staff in 2014 after serving as an assistant coach at Averett University in Danville, VA, from 2008-2013. |
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Kyle Travis, MS, CSCS
Kyle is a first-year PhD student in the Sport Physiology and Sport Performance program. He is from Picayune, MS which is right outside of New Orleans, LA for a point of reference. Prior to his PhD opportunity, Kyle completed his BS in Human Performance with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology at the University of Southern Mississippi. Thereafter, he completed his MS in Applied Sport Science here at ETSU conducting his own original research. His research interests revolve around peaking and tapering for individual strength-power athletes such as weightlifters, powerlifters, and throwers. Kyle's research interest contributes to determining how, when, and why high-level athletes peak for major competitions. He also enjoys research pertaining to periodization and programming tactics for the individual strength-power athlete. Kyle is part of the sports science staff, graduate assistant coach for the para-powerlifting team, and also the lead sport scientist and strength coach for two of the most successful teams at ETSU, men and women’s tennis. Being infatuated with strength sports, Kyle also enjoys competing in powerlifting and highland games, and occasionally dabbling in strongman. |
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John P. Wagle, MS, CSCS, SCCC
John is a fellow in the Sport Physiology and Performance program, serving as the Weight Room and Internship Supervisor as well as the Strength & Conditioning Coach for ETSU Volleyball. He received his M.S. in Exercise Science from Western Illinois University and completed his undergraduate work at Augustana College (IL). He also holds two graduate degrees in business administration from Loyola University (MBA) and North Park University (MS, Non-Profit). Prior to the opportunity to join ETSU, John was the Director of Sports Performance at DePaul University, overseeing all aspects of the department and working specifically with men’s basketball, women’s softball, and men’s tennis. In a previous role with DePaul, as the Assistant Director of Sports Performance, he added track and field and women’s soccer to his teams of service. Preceding these positions, John held various assistant and internship positions within college athletics. As an athlete, John was an All-American baseball player and continued his playing career for two seasons of minor league baseball. John’s interests include accentuated eccentric loading, muscle physiology, and athlete monitoring. He currently resides in Johnson City, TN and is originally from Rock Island, IL. |
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Joseph Walters
Joseph is a second year PhD student. He received his undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Tampa. Prior to his arrival at ETSU, Joseph was working as a sports performance director in Tampa, FL, aiding in the development of youth football, volleyball, and baseball. His research interest includes adaptations in skeletal muscle, development of strength and power as it relates to sport, and nutritional aspects concerning acute and chronic effects to performance. Joseph’s long-term goal is to be an influential authority in research and academia relating to sport performance. |
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Alex Wetmore, BS, CSCS, USATF 1, ISAK L1
Alex is a second year Master’s Candidate. Alex grew up in Indianapolis, IN and completed his undergraduate studies at Marian University. During his time as a student at Marian, Alex was a member of the Knights football team, earning Academic All-American twice. Alex is a two-time NAIA Football National Champion, competing in National Titles in three out of his four years. Alex is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Sport Science and Coach Education. Alex currently works with the ETSU Men’s Soccer program as a part of the Strength and Conditioning/Sport Science staff. |
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Tara Whiton, MS, CSCS, CISSN, ISAK I
Tara is a second year PhD student in the Sport Physiology and Performance program at ETSU. She received her BS in Exercise Physiology & Biology from the University of Southern Maine in 2011 and her MS in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition from Montana State University in 2014. Tara works primarily with endurance athletes (XC, distance T/F, ultra-running, and Nordic skiing) in the areas of sport coaching, strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, and as a sport scientist. Her dissertation research is looking to see if branched-chain amino acid supplementation can improve the daily training efficiency of trained distance runners. |
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Derek Wilcox, BS
Derek is a second year PhD Student at ETSU. He has competition history of a decade in:
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