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Meet the researchers who bring their best work
to NOPL every day.
Interested in our history? See the full lab timeline
Payton miller, m.s.
Payton miller, m.s.
PhD Candidate in Exercise Physiology
Anticipated graduation: Spring 2028
Payton is a second-year Ph.D. candidate originally from Houston, Texas. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Exercise and Sport Science at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, where she conducted research in the Clinical Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology Laboratory under Dr. John Farrell III. Her master's work focused on the fatigue threshold marker critical power and the parameter W' during high-intensity interval exercise protocols. Currently, Payton serves as a graduate part-time instructor for the Department of Kinesiology at TTU, and is involved in research at the Neuromuscular and Occupational Performance Laboratory. She is particularly excited about her upcoming research with tactical athletes, aiming to optimize performance in this unique population.
As featured in Texas Tech Now (June 2026): How Two Texas Tech Researchers Hope to Keep Firefighters Safer
Sarah hines, m.s.
Sarah hines, m.s.
PhD Student in Exercise Physiology
Anticipated graduation: Spring 2030
Sarah Hines is a first-year Ph.D. student from Jacksonville, Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Nutrition Science from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, AL, and her master’s degree from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. Her master’s research focused on physiological markers of fatigue and recovery in firefighters following fire suppression tasks. At TTU, she is a graduate part-time instructor for the Department of Kinesiology and is involved in research in the Neuromuscular and Occupational Performance Laboratory.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Students
Avery
Pickrell
B.S. in Microbiology Avery
Pickrell
(Honors College)Anticipated graduation: Fall 2026
Avery is a third-year undergraduate student from Mansfield, Texas. She is currently studying Microbiology with a minor in Spanish at Texas Tech University. Currently on the pre-medical track, she plans to attend medical school with an interest in pursuing pathology or radiology. Working in NOPL, she has developed a special interest in pQCT and ultrasound.
Corie Smith
B.S. in Kinesiology Corie Smith
(Honors College)Anticipated graduation: Spring 2027
Corie is a third-year undergraduate student from Streetman, Texas. She is currently studying kinesiology with a minor in athletic coaching. After undergrad, she plans to attend physical therapy school with an interest in pursuing cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. During her time at NOPL, she has enjoyed learning DXA analysis.
Audrey Tillman
B.S. in Kinesiology Audrey Tillman
Anticipated graduation: Fall 2026
Audrey is a fourth-year undergraduate student from Mertzon, TX. She is currently studying Kinesiology with a minor in Biology. After undergrad, she is planning on completing a Master’s in Exercise Physiology with the intention of pursuing a career in Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. While in NOPL, she is excited to work with tactical athletes and develop her skills as a researcher.
Aaliyah Enos
B.S. in Kinesiology(Honors College)Anticipated graduation: Spring 2027Aaliyah Enos
Aaliyah is a third-year undergraduate student from Plano, Texas. She is currently studying Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology at Texas Tech University. Through her time at Texas Tech, she has gained an appreciation for the rehabilitation sciences and plans to attend Occupational Therapy School with a specialty in pediatrics. While in NOPL, she has cultivated an interest in alpha motor neurons and all the muscle fibers they innervate.
Reagan Conner
B.S. in Kinesiology Reagan Conner
Anticipated graduation: Spring 2029
Reagan is a second-year undergraduate student from Austin, Texas. She is currently studying Kinesiology Texas Tech. She is on the pre-nursing track and plans to attend nursing school in the Fall of 2027. Reagan is interested in intensive care as a registered nurse and intends to pursue a career in travel nursing. During her time in NOPL, she has enjoyed learning about Ultrasound and collaborating with other members on new ideas for the lab.
Visiting Scholars
Visiting Scholars
NOPL has hosted visiting scholars from institutions around the world.
Bronia Glen, Phd(c)
Bronia Glen, Phd(c)
Bronia Glen was a visiting scholar in NOPL during the Summer of 2026. At the time of her visit, she was a research scientist and PhD Candidate in Biomechanics and Exercise Science at Macquarie University in Australia. Her doctoral research focuses on occupational physiology and psychology, specifically investigating the effects of physical and cognitive fatigue on performance in firefighting — research that maps directly onto NOPL's occupational physiology work.
Todd Freeborn, Phd
Todd Freeborn, Phd
Todd Freeborn was a visiting scholar in NOPL for a month in the fall of 2023. Dr. Freeborn is an Associate Professor at the University of Alabama in the electrical and computer engineering department. His research focuses on biomedical signal processing for health applications and electrode-based measurement of biological tissues — a natural fit for the noninvasive assessment work we do at NOPL.
NOPL Alumni
NOPL Alumni
Our alumni have gone onto research roles, advanced degrees, and clinical positions accross the country.
Doctoral Degree Alumni
Doctoral Degree Alumni
Kealey Wohlgemuth, Ph.D., CISSN, CSCS, *D
Texas Tech University Class of 2025
Currently an Assistant Professor (Tenure Track) at the University of Cincinnati
Master's Degree Alumni
Master's Degree Alumni
Kornkanok "Grammy" Sophonsakulrat, M.S. in Kinesiology (Human Performance)
Texas Tech University Class of 2026
As featured in Texas Tech Now (March 2026):
"Texas Tech Graduate Student Shows Discipline in the Weight Room"
Currently pursuing PhD at the University of Oklahoma (Dr. Sam Moore)
Carina Velasquez, M.S. in Kinesiology (Human Performance)
Texas Tech University Class of 2025
Currently pursuing PhD at Texas Tech University (Dr. Grant Tinsley)
McKenzie Hare, M.S. in Kinesiology (Human Performance)
Texas Tech University Class of 2024
Kathryn Southall, M.S. in Kinesiology (Human Performance)
Texas Tech University Class of 2024
Currently pursuing PhD at University of Virginia (Dr. Chris Kuenze)
Undergraduate Alumni
Undergraduate Alumni
Laura "Ryne" Roden, B.S. in Nutrition
Texas Tech University Class of 2026
Karley Rayfield, B.S. in Animal Science
Texas Tech University Class of 2026
Katherine Adcock, B.S. in Kinesiology
Texas Tech University Class of 2026
Canyon Massengale, B.S. in Biology
Texas Tech University Class of 2026
Salvador Ortiz Sanchez, B.S. in Kinesiology
Texas Tech University Class of 2026
Breanna Rodriguez, B.S. in Kinesiology
Texas Tech University Class of 2025
Prrishti Gukhool, B.S. in Mathematics
Texas Tech University Class of 2024
Maddie Roy, B.S. in Kinesiology
Texas Tech University Class of 2023
Abbey Jordan, B.S. in Exercise Science
University of Alabama Class of 2023
Mackenzie Kennedy, B.S. in Exercise Science
University of Alabama Class of 2022
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