Morgan Wood is from Huntsville, Alabama. He graduated from MSU with his bachelor's degree in Fall 2022, with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology. Morgan is currently working on his Master's in Exercise Physiology under Dr. JohnEric Smith.
His research is centered around supplementation and ergogenic aids in an exercise setting. Morgan plans to continue his education to pursue research in a collegiate or industry setting.
McKenzie is a first-year Ph.D student in the Exercise Science program. McKenzie was born and raised in Texas but moved to Jackson, MS to pursue her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at Mississippi College. She remained at MC to receive her Master’s degree in Applied Exercise Physiology, during which she taught undergraduate exercise physiology labs.
Russell is a third year Ph.D. student majoring in Exercise Science while minoring in Industrial Engineering. Russell received his bachelor’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology at Mississippi State University and his master’s degree in Exercise Science at Liberty University. He currently holds a role as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Kinesiology Department.
Maria is a first year Master’s Student in Exercise Science program. Originally from Pakistan, she did her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Riphah International University, Lahore.
Her research was centered around the correlation between the level of mobility and the manifestation of psychological problems in children with Cerebral Palsy. During her Master’s she plans on focusing on the behavioral aspects of physical activity in population with Down Syndrome.
Dallas is a first-year master's student in the Exercise Science program. He was born and raised in south Mississippi. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology.
He has been a basketball player development coach for 5 years. His current area of research involves looking at vertical-jump and power production in athletes.
Lauren Smith is a Ph.D. student in the Exercise Science program. Originally from Tupelo, MS, Lauren earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University. She later earned a Master’s in Biomedical Science from William Carey University. Her current research interests include using nutrition to improve the gut microbiome and overall health and fitness.
Leo Po-Lin Chen is a second year Ph.D student majoring in Exercise Science. He is originally from Taiwan and earned both his Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education at National Kaohsiung Normal University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. He joined the Cognitive Motor Control Laboratory in the Department of Kinesiology. Leo’s research interests include Adapted Physical Activity/ Education (APA/ APE), exercise interventions, motor skills and executive function.
Aaron is a second-year Ph.D. student in the Exercise Science program. Originally born in Virginia, he moved to Delaware when he was young. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Movement Science and a Master’s degree in Neuroscience, both from Delaware State University.
Hunter Derby is from Columbus, MS. As a Mississippi State Alumni, Hunter is a third-generation bulldog, having earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Mississippi State.
Currently, he is completing his Ph.D. in Exercise Science under Dr. Harish Chander and Dr. Adam Knight, specializing his research in spine biomechanics in the ergonomics. With earning multiple black belts and teaching traditional karate, Hunter developed his research interests in biomechanics and injury prevention and how they improve performance.
Brantley is a Graduate Research Assistant and Ph.D. student in the Exercise Science program. Originally from Alabama, he earned a B.S. in Exercise and Nutrition Science from the University of Montevallo before completing his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Brantley is a certified strength and conditioning specialist, as well as a certified exercise physiologist. His current research interests include measurement of physical activity, and the relationship between cardiovascular health and physical activity levels.