Lab Members
Ali Mossayebi
Title: Ph.D. Student in Kinesiology and Health Education
Hometown: Tehran, Iran
Previous Degrees: B.Sc. in Nutrition, Tehran, Iran 2018/ M.Sc. in Kinesiology, The University of Texas at El Paso, Texas, US, 2022
Research Interest: Exercise Pressor Reflex in Type 1 Diabetes
Other Interests: Watching Movies, Exercising, Camping
Arianna Lopez
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Hometown: Southlake Texas
Previous Degrees: Degrees: Bachelor of Science Pre-Veterinary and Minor in Chemistry from Texas Tech University Master’s of Science in Physiology of Reproduction from Texas A&M University
Other Interests: Running, Lifting weights, Cooking, Music, & Movies
Maryam Zilaei Bouri
Title: Ph.D. Student/ Graduate Research Student
Hometown: Mashhad, Iran
Previous Degrees: B.Sc. in Physical Education and Sports Science, Ahvaz, Iran/ M.Sc. in Exercise Physiology, Tehran, Iran
Research Interests: Autonomic Control of Circulation, Cardiovascular, Diabetes
Other Interests: Exercise, Music, Reading
Peter Niehaus
Title: Research Scientist
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Previous Degrees: B.Sc., Biology, 2020; M.A., Biomedical Science, 2024
Research Interests: Diabetes
Other Interests: Spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing golf, and watching the Baltimore Orioles!
Chandni Bhagtaney
Title: Undergraduate Researcher
Hometown: Sugar Land, Texas
Previous Degrees: B.Sc., Biology, 2020; M.A., Biomedical Science, 2024
Major: Public Health
Research Interests: Sex-based differences in type 2 diabetes progression
Other Interests: Dancing, cooking, and going on walks!
Amshula Gajula
Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Previous Degrees: B.Sc., Biology, 2020; M.A., Biomedical Science, 2024
Major: Statistics and Data Science
Research Interests: I am interested in studying the interplay between exercise and diabetes, and how this information can be used to help those who are diagnosed with diabetes to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Other Interests: I love to dance, hike and explore new places in Austin with my friends and family!
Sam Kurzman
Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Major: Exercise Science
Research Interests: Exercise and disease prevention, pathophysiology
Other Interests: Sports, cooking, reading
Diego Martell-Zuniga
Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Major: Applied movement science
Year: 2027
Research Interests: cardiovascular and endocrine system
Other Interests: cooking, roller skating, knitting, and playing video games
Austin Thornton
Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Title: Undergraduate Researcher
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Major: Applied Movement Science
Research Interests: Diabetes, Exercise Physiology, Neurology
Other Interests: Sports, History, Government
Jack Johnston
Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Hometown: Orange County, CA
Major: Kinesiology
Denise Warthen – Associate Project Manager
Denise transitioned from a career as an educator to becoming a certified project manager, building on a strong foundation in leadership, communication, and organization. With her project management certification, Denise brings an analytical and strategic approach to research projects, overseeing resource management, procurement coordination, and ensuring projects stay on track and within budget. Her experience as a mentor teacher allows her to effectively engage and motivate teams, while her expertise in scheduling and timeline management ensures successful project execution. Denise’s unique combination of teaching experience, leadership, and project management skills makes her an asset to the lab.