Principal Investigator
Jacob Meyer
Position title: Principal Investigator
Email:
jdmeyer3
Dr. Meyer is an expert on the neurobiological effects of exercise on depression and his research is designed to capitalize on the psychological effects of exercise for major depressive disorder and other mood disorders. This research examines the biology that is associated with the mood-enhancing effects of acute and chronic exercise with the goal of using that to both prevent serious mental health concerns and treat those suffering from mental illness. His primary research focus is on depression, but also has interest in using both aerobic and resistance exercise in the prevention and treatment of all types of psychological concerns (anxiety, stress, fatigue, etc.) in healthy adults and those with mental health conditions.
Research Staff
Jeni Lansing
Position title: Research Scientist
Email:
jlansing3
After receiving my PhD from Iowa State University in 2020, with Drs. Jacob Meyer and Laura Ellingson serving as my graduate advisors, I became a Research Scientist and have worked in this role since. My…
Madeleine Connolly
Position title: Research Associate
Email:
mconnolly5
Address:
I have joined the team in 2025 as a postdoc, coming from Melbourne, Australia. Prior to arriving in Madison, I completed my PhD in 2023 at the University of Melbourne, and also undertook a year of postdoctoral training from 2023-2024 at Deakin University. My background is predominantly in psychological sciences, with a strong interest in the treatment of mental health disorders and symptoms with exercise, and other non-pharmacological treatments for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Outside of work, I enjoy taking photographs, painting, and making my own clothes, and keeping active with long walks and strength training.
Taline Jouzi
Position title: Research Specialist
Email:
jouzi
I joined the Wellbeing and Exercise Lab as a Research Specialist in September 2024 and I am excited to be part of the RESIST project and Wellex team. Before starting this position, I completed a…
Yadira Ortiz
Position title: Fitness Instructor
Email:
yaortiz
This is Yadi’s first year in the Wellbeing and Exercise Lab. She graduated with her Bachelors in Kinesiology at UW-Madison in Spring 2025 and is currently working with our participants to program their workouts for…
Ryan Tonjes
Position title: Clinical Interviewer
Email:
rtonjes
Ryan joined our team recently as our clinical interviewer and recently graduated from The Ohio State University in Fall 2024. He enjoys going on walks, resistance training and reading!
Graduate Students
Seana Smith
Position title: PhD Student
Email:
slsmith44
I am originally from Iowa and received my BS and MS from Iowa State University. I have worked in Dr. Meyer’s lab as an undergraduate research assistant and then completed my MS and two years…
Shania Kimbrell
Position title: PhD Student
Email:
sjkelly8
Address:
I received my BA in Kinesiology and Psychology from Loras College in 2021 and my MS in Kinesiology from Iowa State University in 2024. In 2022, I moved to Ames to join Dr. Meyer’s lab and pursue my master’s degree. Broadly, I am interested in the relationship between exercise and neurobiological mechanisms of major depressive disorder. During my PhD, I hope to look more closely at the relationship between exercise and the neurobiological mechanisms of perinatal and postnatal depression. Outside of the lab I enjoy spending time outdoors while running, hiking, biking and paddling in addition to spending quality time with my friends, family, and cats!
John Gidley
Position title: MS Student
Email:
jgidley
After honorably discharging from the Marine Corps in 2020, I moved to Ames to obtain my BS in Kinesiology from Iowa State University. I worked in Dr. Meyer’s lab as an undergraduate research assistant throughout…
Undergraduate Students
Jake Fields
Jake studies Kinesiology and would like to become a Physician’s Assistant. He joined the lab after taking Dr.Meyer’s class and enjoys learning about exercise and its effects on mental health. Jake’s favorite way to be…
Gavin Hanson
Address:
Gavin studies Kinesiology and has an interest in pursuing a double major in psychology. He is mostly interested in pursuing a career in Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy. Gavin has a personal connection the lab and hopes he can contribute to finding more solid evidence relating the positive impacts that physical activity has on mental health. His favorite way to be active is climbing and lifting!
Will Adamski
Address:
Will studies Kinesiology and has an interest in pursuing a career in Physical Therapy. Will wanted to join the lab as he is interested in exercise and its effects on health. He's a certified personal trainer and enjoys lifting weights, working out and playing baseball!
Zachary Kunin
Zach majors in Kinesiology and is completing an athletic healthcare certificate. His career goal is to be a sports medicine physician. Zach is interested in the WellEx Lab because of the connection between mental health…
Olivia Kust
Olivia majors in Kinesiology and has an interest in pursuing a career in Physical Therapy. She wants to be able to help others and promote physical activity, especially in low income communities. Olivia is passionate…
Andrew Herrmann
Andrew majors in Health Promotion and Health Equity and aspires to become an Occupational Therapist who specializes in working with individuals facing mental health challenges. He hopes that one day he would be able to…
Alyssa Fitzsimmons
Alyssa is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and hopes to become a Physicians Assistant. Alyssa loves to run recreationally and has found running to be very helpful with her anxiety. Her mom is also…
Jacob Lang
Jacob majors in Kinesiology, and wants to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. Jacob is interested in gaining hands-on experience in the lab, and was interested in joining as he believes that exercise is extremely…
Julia Hutton
Julia majors in Kinesiology with a certificate in Global Health. Julia joined the lab as she personally, has experienced the incredible mental and physical benefits of physical activity in her own life, so was very…
Hannah Biggins
Hannah is majoring in Kinesiology and aims to get her masters in anesthesiology. Hannah became interested in the WellEx Lab as she believes that mental health has become such a big topic in the last…
Nick Hoffman
Nick is majoring in Kinesiology with a certification in Athletic Care and hopes to become a physical therapist. Nick became interested in the Wellbeing and Exercise lab when he took a class offered by Dr.Meyer.…
Nancy Hu
Nancy is majoring in Kinesiology with hopes to become a Physical Therapist. Nancy joined the lab to gain experience outside of the classroom, and wanted to learn more about the relationship between physical activity and…
Ellie Boik
Ellie is majoring in biology (pre-medicine), after graduation she hopes to attend medical school and become a doctor. Ellie has always been passionate about exercise and its effects on overall well-being. As a yoga instructor,…
Abigail Williams
Abigail majors in Kinesiology and hopes to become a Prosthetist/Orthotist. Throughout college, Abigail got more interested in how the body functions and what she could do to feel like the best version of herself. When…
Graduate Student Alumni
Sydney Churchill
Credentials: PhD
Position title: Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sydney Churchill is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to this position, Dr. Churchill was a graduate student in the Wellbeing and Exercise Lab at Iowa State University, where she obtained her Ph.D. in 2025 in Kinesiology and Neuroscience. Dr. Churchill’s research focuses on understanding how modifiable health behaviors, such as increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior, can be leveraged to improve mental health, physical health, and clinical outcomes in people with chronic conditions. Her work primarily targets two populations: people with epilepsy and those affected by substance use disorders. She uses large-scale data analytics to inform the design of behavioral interventions, with the goal of developing evidence-based treatment options that support long-term health and treatment engagement.
