UNC Lab Services

Post Doctoral Researcher

Paul is a postdoctoral researcher in the Applied Physiology Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan. His research interests center around metabolic, body composition, and vascular alterations in response to exercise, nutrition, ergogenic aids, and environmental stressors.

Prior to Chapel Hill, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in exercise physiology from the University of Kentucky. At the University of Kentucky, he obtained a high-performance coaching certificate, which focused on skills to optimize athlete development through strength and conditioning, physiological readiness, leadership, and sport psychology. He received his doctorate in nutrition from Florida State University under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Hickner. His dissertation work explored the effects of NADPH oxidase and creatine monohydrate supplementation on oxidative stress and skeletal muscle microvascular blood flow in older individuals with overweight/obesity. In his free time, Paul loves to hike, rock climb, slackline, trail run, weightlift, travel, and explore new places.

Doctoral Student

Sam R. Moore is an applied sport scientist and fourth year PhD candidate in the Human Movement Science Curriculum studying under Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan. Sam was a dual sport collegiate athlete at Western Oregon University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Human Biology before she went on to receive her master’s in performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention from California University of Pennsylvania. Prior to Carolina, Sam was with the NC State Wolfpack from 2019-2021 as the Director of Sport Science and Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach; the first woman to serve in this role in the NCAA. Sam’s research interests center around integrating laboratory and field-based methodologies for female athlete sport science innovations to improve health, safety, and performance across the lifespan.

Research Coordinator

Alex Ladan has recently graduated with her Master of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science from UNC Chapel Hill, while studying under the direction of Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan. If Alex is not in the lab, you’ll likely find her at the pool – where she enjoys teaching individuals of all ages how to swim. Prior to her time at Carolina, Alex studied nutrition and its impact on the gut microbiota at the University of Illinois. She competed for Team USA as a rhythmic gymnast, which sparked her interest in studying female physiology, performance, recovery, and metabolism.

Research Coordinator

Kate Foster is a first-year medical student at UNC-Chapel Hill. Prior to starting medical school, she joined the Applied Physiology Lab seeking to integrate her educational background in physiology and biology with her passion for nutrition, health, and exercise. Her time in the lab led to an interest in women’s health, which she hopes to continue pursuing in medical school. Kate sees clinical research as a way to put the knowledge and skills she learns in the classroom into action, and loves running study visits and interacting with participants. In her free time, Kate enjoys CrossFit, practicing with the UNC Club Gymnastics team, reading, and painting.

Masters Student

Morgan Britton is a 2nd-year graduate student at UNC working towards her master’s degree in Exercise Physiology for the EXSS department. She works under the direction of Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan in the Applied Physiology Laboratory focusing her research interests into female physiology and sports nutrition. In addition, she works as a Lifetime Fitness instructor for the university’s LFIT program—teaching courses like yoga, Pilates, and cycle fitness. Originally from Washington state, Morgan graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Washington State University and fell in love with sports nutrition serving as the performance nutrition intern for the WSU baseball, women’s soccer, and women’s tennis teams.

Masters Student

Elena is a former soccer player for the National Autonomous University of Mexico where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. After an internship at Stanford Sports Performance, she discovered her passion for coaching and got certified as a Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCS). Her interest in sport science and female physiology led her to pursue her master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, where she works under Dr. Abbie Smith-Ryan at the Applied Physiology Laboratory and as a sport scientist for the UNC Women’s soccer team. Her research interests are centered around evaluating all aspects of performance in female populations, specifically creating scientific-based practical applications to improve health and performance in female athletes. In her free time, Elena enjoys to workout, drink coffee, and watch sports.

Malia N.M. Blue, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina. Graduated 2020.

Hannah E. Cabre, PhD, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Graduated 2023.

Katie R. Hirsch, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina. Graduated 2020.

Eric T. Trexler, PhD, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Duke University. Graduated 2019.

Kara Anderson, MA – Doctoral Student, University of Virginia
Gabrielle Brewer, MA – Post-Doctoral Researcher, University of Connecticut
Amanda Gordon, MA – Doctoral Student, Washington Spirit
Lacey Gould, MA - LabCorp
Alex Ladan, MA – Research Coordinator, Applied Physiology Laboratory
Kelly Joniak, MA – Bionic Health
Austin Peterjohn, MA – Clinical Research Associate, IQVIA
Alexis Pihoker, MA – Fire Fighter, Pittsburgh, PA
Meredith Mock, MA – Physician Assistant
Erica Roelofs, MA – Doctoral Student, University of Minnesota
Hailee Rich (Wingfield), MA – Fitness & Wellness Supervisor, Wake Med
Sarah Fultz Colbert, MA – head Programming Coach, OxFit, Exercise Physiologist for Best Health, Atlanta, GA
Mary Woessner, PhD – Clinical Trial Project Coordinator, Bone Health & Fractures Research Program, Australian Catholic University