LABORATORY DIRECTOR
Christopher P. Connolly, Ph.D.
Dr. Connolly’s research focuses primarily on ultra-endurance triathlon performance and medical care. He has worked extensively with past medical and performance data for elite triathletes, including examinations into serious injury occurrences. Dr. Connolly’s second research area involves physical activity and movement behaviors during pregnancy and the postpartum period. His past work with these populations has focused on activity monitor validation, the promotion of walking behavior, and examinations into specific physical activity barriers and/or enabling factors. Dr. Connolly is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and is active at both the regional and international levels.
[Office] Smith Gym 113B [Phone] 509.335.7605 [Email] c.connolly@wsu.edu
GRADUATE STUDENTS
James Scott
James Scott is a second-year Kinesiology Master’s student on the Thesis track, from Steilacoom, WA. This is James’ 3rd year in the EPPL and is on the Leadership Team. He is most passionate about the exercise performance aspects the lab offers as well as teaching students about Kinesiology-related material. James is also a University Recreation employed Personal Trainer certified through the American College of Sports Medicine and enjoys training and competing in PowerLifting, and Disc Golf. James plans to complete his Master’s degree in the Spring of 2023 and continue learning, teaching, training, and having fun!
[Office] Smith Gym 70 [Phone] 509.335.9658 [Email] james.d.scott@wsu.edu
Pia Richards
Pia is a second-year M.S. student in the Kinesiology program at WSU, from Sammamish, WA. She joined the EPPL as an intern and is now in her second year as a member. Pia graduated from WSU with a B.S. in Kinesiology and a minor in Business Administration in 2021. She is a member of the cross country and track & field teams, finishing up her last year of eligibility. As a teaching assistant in the graduate program, she instructs an undergraduate kinesiology course, KINES 261: health and wellness. She has also taught a kinesiology activity course, KIN_ACTV 115: Jogging, since 2019. In her free time, Pia likes to crochet, knit, sew, paint, or do anything else arts and crafts related.
[Office] Smith Gym 70 [Phone] 509.335.9658 [Email] pia.richards@wsu.edu
Hannah Farrington
Hannah is a first-year M.S. student in the Kinesiology program at WSU. She joined the EPPL in the fall of 2019, has worked on the Ironman-30 project, and has assisted with multiple thesis projects in the lab. Hannah enjoys playing her guitar, piano, and drum set in her free time. She also loves to go on road trips up the Oregon and Washington coast, and explore the beautiful pacific northwest. She currently teaches KINES 138, and has had many semesters of experience being a TA for classes such as KINES 261, KINES 262, and KINES 311, as well as instructing a KINES ACTIV yoga class. Hannah is excited to start her thesis project, and hopes to become a professor as her professional career.
[Office] Smith Gym 70 [Phone] 509.335.9658 [Email] hannah.farrington@wsu.edu
Will Yaku
Originally from the Greater Seattle area, Will joins Washington State University and the EPPL as a first-year M.S. thesis-track student. He graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology from Western Washington University, where he served as a Biomechanics course instructional assistant. Presently, he is employed as a graduate teaching assistant, instructing laboratory classes for the KINES 264 – Fitness Concepts course. He grew up primarily playing soccer, then transitioned to distance running in his junior year of high school, which he continues to do today. This sport- and exercise-heavy background influenced his decision to pursue kinesiology as an academic discipline and career. Will’s research interests include: the role of exercise intensity and volume in mediating V̇O2max improvements; the exercise-generated cell signaling mechanisms that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis; and the physiological adaptations incurred by vigorous physical activity bouts interspersed throughout the day. Professionally, Will hopes to remain in academia as a professor and advance the field of exercise physiology through his research.
[Office] Smith Gym 70 [Phone] 509.335.9658 [Email] william.yaku@wsu.edu
UNDERGRADUATE INTERNS
Sierra Hedding
Sierra is in her final semester at WSU completing her undergraduate degree in kinesiology. She is from Wenatchee, WA where she completed her Associates in Science at her community college and transferred to WSU. She has worked in the EPPL for a semester and is now completing her senior year as an intern within the lab. She has worked as a yoga instructor for University Recreation for a year and enjoys that her job allows her to help students to reduce stress. She loves exploring the outdoors and spent two summers in Skagway AK where she worked for Alaska Cruise Lines and in her spare time enjoyed hiking and camping. In her personal time, she enjoys reading a good book as well as spending quality time with her husband Nick, and australian shepherd puppy Willow. In the future Sierra hopes to open her own gym where she can connect with a physical therapy clinic and continue to help others to improve their quality of life.
Ryan Davy
Ryan is in his final semester in the WSU Kinesiology program. He is from Washougal, WA, where he completed an associate in arts at Clark College as part of the running start program. He joined the EPPL as an intern in Spring 2022. Ryan is on the track team at WSU as a sprinter, which is where he spends most of his free time. Ryan also enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and camping. Ryan is not yet certain what he plans to do after graduation.
Taylor Byrne
Taylor Byrne is in her final semester here at WSU and is completing her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. She is from Kirkland, WA and joined the EPPL in the spring of 2022 as an intern. She is also a teaching assistant for KINES 380. Taylor has just applied to graduate schools and has hopes to be a physical therapist in the future. She enjoys exercising, spending time with family and friends, and reading a good book!
LAB ALUMNI
Tamara Allard: Third-year graduate student in the Developmental Psychology program at the University of Maryland
Ashley Frichtl: Physical Therapy Technician
Taylor Heppner: Performance Coordinator for Howard Head Performance in Vail, Colorado
Madison Grady: Clinical Research Associate at Seattle Children’s Hospital
Madalyn Graf: Doctoral Student in Physical Therapy at Pacific University
Luke Haxton: Physical Therapist
Rachelle Ibanez: Doctoral Student in Occupational Therapy at Touro University Nevada
Jenae Irwin: Physical Therapist
Ryan Joiner: Exercise Physiologist at NorthStar Medical Specialists
Zoe Klinger: Rehab Specialist for TBI Patients
Tanner Lowry: General manager at D1 Training in Boise, Idaho
Bryce Magee: Physician Assistant
Amanda McMahon: Assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Educational Psychology at Washington State University
Amanda Merril: Doctoral student in Physical Therapy at Eastern Washington
Shweta Mohan: Research Associate II at BioLegend
Anna Panebianco: Research Assistant at University of Washington Medicine
Kelli Pederson: Physical Therapist
Chloe Pinto: Exercise Physiologist at Sharp Healthcare
Gretchen Stolte: Student Physical Therapist at Eastern Washington University
Drew Thompson: Doctor of Physical Therapy
Alexa Van Der Meulen: Clinical Exercise Physiologist at PeaceHealth
Nicole Wadden: Doctoral student in Counseling Psychology at Springfield University
Rebecca Weller: Research Physiologist
