Director
alepley@umich.edu
Adam is an Assistant Professor of Athletic Training & Movement Science at the University of Michigan and Director of the PRIME Laboratory. His research focuses on the neuromuscular and neurophysiological consequences of musculoskeletal injury, with a special emphasis on ACL injury, and how these changes influence physical performance, long-term health, and injury risk. Dr. Lepley’s work integrates biomechanics, neurophysiology, and applied use of wearable technology to better understand real-world movement behavior and inform evidence-based rehabilitation and performance strategies across athletic and clinical populations.
Amanda Melvin, MS, ACSM-CEP, CCRP
Lab Manager/Project Manager
acmelvin@umich.edu
Amanda is the Lab Manager and Project Manager in the PRIME Lab, where she oversees general lab operations and research projects from study development through close-out. She has over a decade of experience in clinical research project management and regulatory compliance in Nuclear Cardiology, Emergency Medicine/ICU, and Kinesiology settings. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise Science and Psychology from Albion College and her Master of Science degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Ball State University. In her spare time she enjoys baking, reading, running, planning home improvement projects, and spending time with her family.
Sarah Davis, MS
Research Coordinator
fowlersa@umich.edu
Sarah is a Research Coordinator with a background in wearable technology and human movement-based research initiatives. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science from the University of Michigan and her Master of Science degree in Sport and Human Performance from Sam Houston State University. In her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Kylee Groves
Research Specialist
kjgroves@umich.edu
Kylee is a biologist with prior clinical experience in healthcare settings. Her interests center on biochemistry and clinical research relating to chronic conditions, particularly diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Long term, Kylee aspires to be a physician and pursue a career in surgery. Outside of the lab, she enjoys walking her dog and spending time with friends.
Nick Voth, MEd
Research Specialist
nrvoth@umich.edu
Nick is an exercise physiologist with a background in providing physiological assessments for a wide range of populations. His primary interests are in the effects of training and nutritional interventions on endurance sport performance as well as how wearable technology can be used to improve health and human performance. Outside of the lab, Nick enjoys training as a runner and a cyclist.
Zheng-Yang Zhao, MHI
Data Engineer
zzyang@umich.edu
Yang is a Data Engineer with a background in health informatics, focusing on designing, developing, and deploying data solutions in the lab. She built an internal website that streamlines data processing and improves data access for the team, providing a more efficient technical foundation for research. Her work centers on creating a reliable, scalable data infrastructure. Outside of the lab, Yang enjoys racket sports and has recently started running.
HoWon Kim, PhD, ATC
Post-doctoral Resaerch Fellow
khowon@umich.edu
HoWon Kim is a postdoctoral researcher in the PRIME Laboratory at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on the neurophysiological and biomechanical mechanisms driving persistent functional deficits following ACL and musculoskeletal injuries, with particular emphasis on quadriceps weakness and altered movement patterns. Dr. Kim integrates neuroscience, biomechanics, and clinical expertise as a certified athletic trainer to investigate how central nervous system adaptations influence recovery, performance, and long-term joint health in athletic populations after musculoskeletal injury. His goal is to inform evidence-based, personalized rehabilitation strategies and improve outcomes for athletes and individuals recovering from injury.
Cole Geschwender, M.S.
PhD Student
cgesch@umich.edu
Cole is a first-year PhD student interested in neural adaptations after joint injury, specifically relating to the anterior cruciate ligament. He recently received his master’s in Biomechanics from Ball State University. He plans to become a director of sport science for an organization after he completes his PhD. Outside of the lab Cole enjoys playing soccer and tennis.
Purnima Stanek, B.S.
Graduate Research Assistant
pstanek@umich.edu
Purnima is a first-year dual-master’s student studying Movement Science and Data Science, with an interest in wearable technology and its application in public health and sports. She has previous research experience as an exercise physiologist and assists the PRIME lab with data collection. Outside of the lab, Purnima enjoys hiking, dancing, and playing the violin.
Sarah Bazzi
Undergraduate Research Assistant
sarabazz@umich.edu
Sarah is a third-year undergraduate in the School of Kinesiology studying Movement Science, with a strong interest in how exercise and wearable technology can shape the future of medicine. Through her work in the lab, she hopes to gain hands-on research experience and explore how data-driven approaches can improve health outcomes, and she plans to attend graduate school to further pursue medicine. Outside of the lab, Sarah loves to travel and hike with family and friends.
Shane Iralson
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Email
Shane is a second year undergraduate in the School of Engineering studying Biomedical Engineering, with interests in medical devices and sports medicine. Through his work in the lab he hopes to gain hands-on experience with wearable technology and to learn how it can be applied to injury prevention. After his undergraduate years, he hopes to work in the medical device industry and one day attend medical school. Outside of the lab, Shane spends his time playing hockey and crocheting.
Emersyn Port
Undergraduate Research Assistant
emport@umich.edu
Emersyn is a second-year undergraduate student in the School of Kinesiology studying Applied Exercise Science, with an interest in the role of physiological factors in injury recovery and health outcomes. Through her lab experience, she hopes to gain hands-on research skills and a deeper understanding of exercise testing and laboratory methods. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in sports physical therapy. Outside of the lab, Emersyn enjoys playing soccer and hanging out with friends.
Shak Elango
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Leo Kim
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Leo is a first year undergraduate in the School of Kinesiology studying Movement Science, with interests in optimizing the efficiency of lower extremity rehabilitation and exploring psychological factors of kinesiophobia. Through his work in the lab he hopes to learn clinical research procedures and methods, and gain hands-on learning experiences. After his undergraduate degree he plans to work in the field of sports medicine and eventually attend medical school. Outside of school, Leo spends his time by running or drawing.
Grace Cooley
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Grace is a third-year undergraduate in the School of Literature, Science, and the Arts studying Neuroscience, with a strong interest in how exercise and movement connect to the brain's adaptability. Through her work in the lab, she's excited to gain hands-on research experience and learn more about the paths that support rehabilitation and performance. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue medicine further. Outside of the lab, Grace loves to ski, listen to music, and spend time with her close family and friends.
Elaina Kora
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Elaina is a second-year undergraduate in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts studying Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN). She is interested in physiology and its role in health outcomes. Through her work in the lab, she hopes to gain hands-on research and clinical experience while learning more about the role of research in healthcare. After her undergraduate studies, she plans to attend medical school to pursue a career in medicine. Outside of the lab, Elaina enjoys dancing, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Research Staff
Ethan Lajiness, Research Associate. 2025
Adam Audet, Research Associate. 2023-2024
Sairub Naaz, Research Data Manager. 2023-2024
Marni Wasserman, Research Associate. 2023
Jacob Outwin, Research Associate. 2022-2023
Sam Reed, Research Associate. 2021-2023
Olivia Stump, Research Associate. 2021-2023
Postdoctoral Scholars
Bryson Carrier. Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Associate. 2024-2026
Fiddy Davis. Postdoctoral Research Fellow. 2021-2023
Graduate Student Research Assistants
Jiarui (Mark) Wu, 2025
Ethan Lajiness, 2024-2025
Megan Johannes, 2023-2025
Joe Freeman, 2023-2024
Brielle Smith, 2023-2024
Grayson Hill, 2022-2023
Sara (Kenzie) Price, 2022-2023
Marni Wasserman, 2022-2023
Joshua Pang-Yen Chang, 2021-2023
Adam Audet, 2021-2022
Anthony Milian, 2021-2022
Henna Mutahr, 2021-2022
Erin Ross, 2021-2022
Devon Van Rensburg, 2021-2022
Joanna Wootton, 2021-2022
Undergraduate Student Research Assistants
Dasan Simmons, 2024-2025
Theo Meingast, 2023-2025
Sneh Shah, 2023-2025
Katherine Soldes, 2023-2025
Reet Grewal, 2023-2024
Lauren Antonio, 2023
Ella Heithoff, 2022-2023
Lily Hershkowitz, 2022-2023
Jenna Dabaja, 2022
Neil Garg, 2022
Everett Hume, 2022
Emma Petersen, 2022
Tejas Kadambi, 2021-2022
Jenna Mulligan, 2021-2022
Jacob Outwin, 2021-2022
Cecilia Kaufman, 2021
Sam Reed, 2021