Ph.D. STUDENT

Motor Neuroscience

I am on a journey to explore the boundless domains of human movement and performance. I am an international student from Taiwan, but I have been in Texas since my undergraduate study. I obtained BS in exercise physiology from Baylor University and MS in kinesiology from Texas Christian University. Before starting my master program, I was a strength and conditioning coach for youth and adults. While I was a coach, I was constantly amazed by the complexity and adaptability of human body and movement. As time went on, I had more and more questions than answers, which motivated me to pursue more and more knowledge. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, cycling, and lifting weights.

Research Interest: I am interested in the dynamic of human movements, and apply these knowledges in performance enhancement, physiological states detection, and decision making.

Favorite Planet: Fitness 🙂

Ideal Superpower: Absolute wisdom

Favorite Candy/Sweet: Vanilla ice cream on a warm chocolate chip cookie in a skillet pan

Would go viral for: Making funny faces when I get scared

PH.D. STUDENT

Exercise Physiology/Athletics

I spent about five years of my childhood living in Belgium before moving to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where I have spent the majority of my life. I completed my undergraduate and Master’s degree in Exercise Science from University of South Carolina. That experience not only taught me about the body and some of what we know about how it works, but also created more questions as I got further involved with athletics. While I was a Gamecock, I was able to work in a biomechanics lab as well as work in several different roles within athletics, most notably as a strength and conditioning intern, Volleyball student manager and graduate assistant, and as a Head of Operations for the Beach Volleyball team. I have always been passionate about exercise and sport as well as the factors that impact injury or performance. In my free time, you will find me at the gym, cooking, napping with my bulldog Lulu, or doing something outside. As Confucius wrote, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Research Interest: To identify and fill existing holes in the literature for the application of isometric performance tests, with a particular interest in the isometric belt squat. My secondary research interest involves human muscle activation patterns.

Favorite Planet: Mars

Ideal Superpower: Teleportation

Favorite Candy/Sweet: Chocolate Fudge Cake

Would go viral for: My storytelling skills

B.S. STUDENT

Howdy! My name is Elisa Chacon, and I am from Allen, TX. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Texas A&M University. I am currently planning on going to get my Physical Therapy degree after graduating in December. With both degrees, my plan is then to be a PT in a sports or clinic setting. When I’m not studying or doing research, I am doing an activity outside or getting a sweet caffeinated drink with a friend! I am very involved in my church and have a very awesome community there! My interest in human movement research stems from a deep curiosity about the intricacies of why the body does what it does! That’s simply put but the complexities of biomechanics, motor control, and physiology have always interested me. I want to understand how individuals move, adapt, and excel in various physical activities, from sports performance to rehabilitation.  

Favorite Planet: Earth? I mean it’s pretty great

Ideal Superpower: Seeing the Future

Favorite Candy/Sweet: Reese’s! or Ice Cream! or Reese’s Ice Cream!

Would go viral for: Live-streaming me playing oculus- it’s pretty funny

B.S. STUDENT

Howdy! My name is Eden Haneline, and I am from Alvin, TX, a small town south of Houston. I am in my (hopefully) last year of undergraduate study for a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at A&M after which I am hoping to be accepted into the Master’s in Athletic Training program at A&M. I chose Kinesiology because of my deep interest in how and why our bodies work and move the way that they do. Spending much of my time through junior high and high school playing sports, I knew that’s where I wanted to apply my time and education. Outside of academics I love reading, playing tennis, spending time with friends, and drinking overpriced coffee.

Favorite Planet: Neptune

Ideal Superpower: Time Control

Favorite Candy/Sweet: Tiramisu

Would go viral for: Ability to never get tired of chicken salad

HONORARY MEMBER

I grew up in a military home, so we moved around a lot but I call a little town named Pace, FL home. When I’m not studying or working, you can normally find me with my nose in a book, baking and cooking way too much food, hiking, at the gym, laughing at my own cheesy jokes, or finding some DIY project to keep me busy. I first fell in love with the field of kinesiology when I was a junior in high school. I was in a Sport Medicine class and my dad took me to the gym a lot in our free time and I absolutely loved learning how and why my body was moving the way it was as well as how to prevent and treat any sports related injuries.

Favorite Planet: Neptune

Ideal Superpower: Talking to animals

Favorite Candy/Sweet: Peanut Butter Snickers, Twix, and Sour Patch Watermelon

Would go viral for: All the things I bake