Current Members
Jide Adebiyi
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Medical Physiology, University of Lagos, Nigeria
Degree Seeking: M.S. in Exercise Physiology
Research Interests: The effect of exercise on the cardiovascular system and how drugs, nutrition, and exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
Career goals: I aspire to become a professor, teaching exercise physiology to future professionals. Additionally, I am dedicated to working in clinical settings, specifically in cardiac rehabilitation, where I can assist individuals with heart conditions in their journey toward improved health. Simultaneously, I plan to collaborate with athletes to enhance their cardiovascular fitness and overall performance
Other interests: Playing soccer, video games, and graphics design
Philippe Brosselin
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Exercise Science, The University of Texas at Austin Degree Seeking: M.S. in Exercise Physiology
Degree Seeking: M.S. in Exercise Physiology
Research Interests: The effects of blood flow restriction training on the cardiovascular system
Career goals: Pursuing academia to explore the different methods of promoting health and longevity for the body as well as the mind
Other interests: I love anything related to sports, especially bodybuilding, soccer (fútbol), volleyball and surf. I also love arts like drawings, music of all kinds and dance
Xavier Cantu
Hometown: Angleton, Texas
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Movement Science, Texas Christian University
Degree Seeking: M.S. in Exercise Physiology
Research Interests: Effect of rebreathing on prolonged sitting-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction
Career goals: Working in academia & clinical research exploring effective interventions in order to improve quality of life and mitigate cardiovascular risk factors
Other Interests: Exercise, traveling, photography, music and trying new food
Daniela Charry Segura
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Physical Therapy, National University of Colombia; M.S. in Exercise Science and Chronic Disease, University of North Florida
Degree Seeking: Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
Research Interests: Cardiovascular disease risk and mortality, pathophysiology of heart failure, arterial stiffness, and translational research related to cardiovascular health
Career Goals: A career in academia and clinical research related to cardiovascular health
Other Interests: Rugby, traveling, cooking, and hiking
Lin-Sheng (Sam) Chen
Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan
Previous Degrees: B.A. in Anthropology, National Taiwan University; M.S. in Sport Facility Management and Health Promotion, National Taiwan University
Degree Seeking: Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
Research Interests: The effect of resistance training with blood flow restriction on the cardiovascular system, exercise for improving cardiovascular health
Career Goals: To become a professor in the field of exercise physiology
Other Interests: Weight training, traveling, foodie, watching basketball games
Emily Dunlap
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Previous Degrees: B.S. and Certificate of Physical Therapy, Simmons University; PhD in Exercise Physiology, The University of Texas at Austin
Research Interests: Effects of aquatic exercise on functional and cognitive outcomes
Career goals: Provide a significant contribution to the body of evidence supporting aquatic exercise therapy, international teaching, and development of local Austin nonprofit organization that will provide aquatic group exercise for underserved populations
Other interests: Hiking, camping, kayaking, mountain biking, and any outdoor adventure
Natalie McLaurin
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Previous Degrees: B.S. in Exercise Physiology, Midwestern State University; B.S. in Biology, Midwestern State University; M.S. in Exercise Physiology, The University of Texas at Austin Degree Seeking: Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
Degree Seeking: Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
Research Interests: The disproportionate impact of cardiovascular disease in minority populations; the utilization of exercise to attenuate the impact of chronic diseases
Career goals: To teach as a professor and contribute to the growing body of research that can be used as a form of medicine
Other interests: I love listening to music, eating good food, traveling, running, and watching movies
Kazumasa (Kazu) Manabe, M.D., Ph.D
Hometown: Hiroshima, Japan
Degrees: M.D., Medical course, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan and Ph.D., Department of Sports Medical Sciences, Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
Research Interests: Cardiovascular responses before, during, and after exercise. I’m especially focusing on neural control (e.g. sympathetic neural control) of circulation in relation to exercise. Also, I am interested in supplements combined with exercise to make people healthy and improve competitiveness
Career Goals: To be a specialist who not only can research in the laboratory but also apply the research results to clinical and sports scenes
Other Interests: Traveling, playing and watching sports like basketball, soccer and golf, etc., and taking photos.
Takanobu (Taka) Okamoto, Ph.D.
Hometown: Nara, Japan
Degrees: Ph.D. in Human Sciences, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
Research Interests: Effects of prolonged sitting and mental stress on cardiovascular and cognitive functions; prevention of cardiovascular disease and dementia through physical activity, exercise, and electrical muscle stimulation
Career Goals: To establish “preventive exercise physiology” for successful aging
Other Interests: Foodie, traveling, exercising, and watching movies
Tianyu Wang
Hometown: Hebei, China
Previous Degrees: B.Ed. in Kinesiology, Tianjin University of Sport; M.S. in Exercise Physiology, The University of Texas at Austin
Degree Seeking: Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
Research Interests: The effect of lifestyle interventions on cognitive and cardiovascular health among people with metabolic diseases
Career goals: To bridge the gap between exercise science and the general public practice
Other interests: Foodie, racquetball, tennis, and movies
Jiahui (Cassie) Zhao
Hometown: Beijing, China
Previous Degrees: B.A. in Exercise Physiology, Beijing Sport University; M.S. in Movement Science, University of Michigan
Seeking Degree: Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology
Research Interests: Investigating the effects of intermittent hypoxia on glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes populations; Exploring exercise-alternative interventions for enhancing cerebrovascular health and cognition
Career Goals: My career goal is to translate academic expertise into practical applications by advancing clinical research focused on improving the lives of diseased populations, developing cutting-edge products, integrating research-backed solutions into services and technologies that enhance health outcomes
Other Interests: Movies, traveling, KPOP, swimming and exploring delicious food
Yanbing (Bing) Zhou
Hometown: Nanjing, China
Previous Degrees: B.A. in Art Theory, M.Ed. in Sports Pedagogy & Training Theory, Beijing Sport University
Research Interests: Systemic artery function and large-vessel vasculitis
Career goals: Pursue science and seek truth with joy and passion
Other interests: Travelling; video games; competitive ballroom dance movies