2026 UC Exercise Science Expo

Christopher Friend entered his third season in 2025 as the Associate Director of Football Sports Performance. Since joining the program in 2023, he has played a key role in the development and performance optimization of football student-athletes.

Prior to his current role, Friend spent five years as a member of the Ohio State Sports Performance staff. He was elevated to Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, where he directed all aspects of strength, conditioning, and performance for both the men’s and the 2022 NCAA National Champion women’s ice hockey programs. During his three seasons with women’s hockey, he contributed to two WCHA Final Face-Off Championships, two Frozen Four appearances, and the program’s first NCAA National Championship in 2022. On the men’s side, he supported the development of multiple student-athletes who advanced to professional hockey and continued to train several Buckeye alumni during their off-seasons.

Friend began his tenure at Ohio State in January 2018 as a Football Strength and Conditioning Intern. He also gained experience at Mississippi State University as a football strength and conditioning intern.

A native of Washington, Illinois, Friend graduated from Eureka College with a degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, where he was a three-time All-Conference linebacker. He earned his Master’s degree in Sport Coaching from The Ohio State University. At Washington Community High School, he remains the only two-time First Team All-State selection in school history and holds the career tackles record.

Malloree Rice, MS, ACSM-CEP, RCEP, CCRP, is a master’s-prepared Clinical Exercise Physiologist with nine years of experience in cardiopulmonary exercise testing and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. She currently serves as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Internship Coordinator at University of Cincinnati Health within the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and cancer wellness program.

Malloree holds the American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) credential with Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) distinction and is a Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP) through the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

She serves on the Clinical Exercise Physiology Association (CEPA) Credentials Committee and the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Certified Cardiographic Technician (CCT) Exam Committee. Malloree previously served as Clinical Member-at-Large for CEPA and as President of the Ohio Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

Leah is a Master’s prepared Exercise Physiologist with 3 years of experience at the University of Cincinnati Health in the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and cancer wellness program. Leah holds the American College of Sports Medicine ACSM-EP certification. She is currently a member of ACSM Cancer SIG and is working towards her ACSM cancer exercise specialist certification. Her research interest includes the impact of strength training on cancer outcomes, before, during and after treatment. Her most recent work has been creating a cancer registry for cancer exercise outcomes for UC health. 

Jennifer Gooding earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Southern Connecticut State University. Her career began following an Exercise Science internship at The Wellness Center in Orlando, Florida, where she assisted with stress testing, blood draws, and exercise program development, and taught both aquatic and land-based classes to populations ranging from college-aged adults to geriatrics.

She later relocated to Ohio to work in an outpatient physical therapy clinic, where she treated patients and developed injury-specific exercise programs. During this time, she also served as the Group Exercise Coordinator for six fitness centers. Jennifer holds multiple certifications, including Spinning, Kickboxing, Yoga, AEA, AFYAP, TRX, SilverSneakers, AFAA, and ACE. Her strong foundation in personal training allowed her to effectively teach and train across diverse populations.

After ten years of clinical and fitness experience, Jennifer transitioned to The Daniel Drake Center, where she spent the next 25 years. She began as Wellness Director and later advanced to Aquatic Therapy and Wellness Manager. The wellness center featured adaptive gym equipment and specialized programming for individuals with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and fibromyalgia. Aquatic therapy and water exercise classes supported clients of all diagnoses and fitness levels.

When UC Health closed The Daniel Drake Center, Jennifer’s role expanded within the UC Health Weight Loss Center. She currently works with the bariatric population in the UC Physicians Department of Surgery, performing fitness assessments, developing individualized exercise programs for surgical and medical patients, and teaching monthly educational classes on exercise-related topics. She continues to teach spinning and strength training classes several times a week.

Her philosophy is simple: Motion is her medication.

Sandy Knecht is a master's prepared Clinical Exercise Physiologist with over 26 years' experience in cardiopulmonary exercse testing in pediatric and adult congenital patients. She is currently a Senior Clinical Exercise Physiologist and the Internship Coordinator at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Sandy holds the American College of Sports Medicine ACSM-CEP certification with the RCEP distinction and the AACVPR's CCRP certification. Sandy is active in several professional organizations and is currently serving on the Midwest ACSM (MWACSM) board of directors as the co-chair of the clinical committee, Clinical Exercise Physiology Association (CEPA) as a member of the credentials committee and North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Medicine (NASPEM) as the clinical position on the board of directors. She also holds committee positions with ACSM's CCRB, EIM pediatric committee, and the SHI Youth Sports & Health committee. Previously, she has held positions as the Member-At-Large with both MWACSM and CEPA and a member of CEPA's registry committee. Sandy has ongoing involvement in research projects, publications, and our cardiopulmonary lab's educational and internship programs. 

Stu joined the 1N5 team in July of 2025 with a background in coaching, education, and media. He coached basketball for over a decade and has done a podcast interview series for the last 9 years.

Stu is passionate about holistic development, mental health awareness, and inspiring through storytelling. He is excited about the mission of erasing the stigma and promoting wellness in our schools and communities.

Dr. Cunanan is a seasoned sports science professional with expertise in applied sports science, performance support, and coaching. He received his PhD in Sport Psychology and Performance from ETSU. Currently, he serves as the Director of Applied Sports Science with the Cincinnati Reds, and has had held prior roles such as Performance Support Manager at the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Sports Science Coordinator with the San Francisco Giants, Exercise Physiologist, and High Performance Coach. 

Joshua Hagen, PhD, is Director of the Human Performance Collaborative and Associate Professor of Integrated Systems Engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and brings more than 25 years of experience in human performance research and development.

Dr. Hagen’s work applies sport science and systems engineering methodologies to optimize health, wellness, and performance across athletic, tactical, and clinical populations. He leads interdisciplinary teams that integrate wearable technologies, physiological and psychological assessment, and advanced data analytics to better understand readiness, recovery, and adaptation in real-world environments.

His research spans collegiate athletics, military and first responder communities, and public health initiatives, with a strong emphasis on translating rigorous science into practical, scalable solutions that support sustainable performance and long-term well-being.

B.S. in Exercise Science, NASM Certified Personal Trainer. Currently serves as Personal Trainer and Golf Fitness Trainer at IWO. 

Audrey is currently completing her B.S. in Exercise Science at the University of Cincinnati. She completed an internship in Cardiac Rehabilitation with Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center, and she is certified as an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and Women's Coaching Specialist (Girls Gone Strong). She currently works as a Personal Trainer at IWO.

Luke currently serves as a Brain Health Coach at Activate Brain and Body. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, and is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. Luke is also certified in Silver Sneakers and Functional Aging.

Michael currently serves as a Brain Health Coach at Activate Brain & Body Fitness. He holds certifications as a functional aging specialist and personal trainer. He holds a B.S. in Exercise & Movement with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati.

Bailey Chudner serves as the Sport Science Graduate Assistant for the University of Cincinnati Football program, where she supports daily performance operations through the integration of advanced technologies including Catapult, Hawkin Dynamics, ThermoHuman, VALD, and athlete management systems.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and an MBA with a concentration in Data Analytics from the University of Alabama, blending a strong foundation in human performance with advanced analytical and business intelligence expertise. Bailey is passionate about translating complex performance data into clear, actionable insights that inform decision-making, optimize athlete development, and support long-term performance outcomes.

Haley Foreman serves as the Program Coordinator for The Christ Hospital Women’s Heart Center and the Lindner Research Center. In addition to her leadership role in cardiovascular programming and research initiatives, she is a certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor.

Haley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Xavier University and her Master’s degree in Health and Wellness Management from the University of Cincinnati. She is deeply passionate about empowering women to improve their health, fitness, and confidence. Much of her work centers on serving the female population, and she is committed to advancing advocacy, education, and equity in women’s health and wellness.

Logan Neff is a strength and conditioning coach, performance director, and educator focused on developing high-performing athletes and standards-driven training environments. He currently serves as the Director of Strength and Conditioning at Indian Hill High School, Director of Performance at DNA Sports Center, Owner of Neff Athletic Performance, and State Director for the Ohio chapter of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA). Neff is credentialed through both the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and USA Weightlifting (USAW). Across his coaching career, his programs have contributed to multiple team championships, including back-to-back-to-back state titles at Beechwood High School in football, track & field, and cross country, along with multiple regional baseball championships. At Indian Hill, his athletes have earned a state championship in boys soccer and regional championships in football and girls lacrosse. He has also worked in the private sector with Ignition Athletic Performance Group, where he assisted with NFL Combine and Pro Day preparation and trained high school and middle school athletes. Neff also spent time working within the performance setting at the University of Cincinnati. A former collegiate athlete, his coaching approach blends evidence-based training, long-term athletic development, and culture-centered systems that emphasize discipline, accountability, durability, and leadership through training.

Chris Gray joined Archbishop Moeller High School in April 2024 as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and has already played a key role in expanding the department, including the addition of a second full-time staff member, enhancements to athlete fueling resources, and increased access to performance training for all student-athletes. He contributed to the football program’s 14–2 season and state finalist appearance, while supporting numerous individual athletic honors, including a Gatorade Player of the Year and multiple All-American recognitions.

Prior to Moeller, Gray served as Associate Athletic Director of Sports Performance and Strategic Initiatives at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (2018–2024), where he led a staff supporting 30 NCAA sports and more than 700 student-athletes. He significantly expanded departmental staffing, helped raise over $750,000 for program growth, and oversaw strength and conditioning services across Division I and III programs, contributing to national championships, Final Four appearances, and more than 20 conference titles.

Gray previously held roles with Ignition Athletic Performance, assisting with Cincinnati Bengals strength and NFL Combine preparation, and served as Assistant Director of Strength and Conditioning at the University of Cincinnati, working with football and multiple Olympic sports. He has also coached at Villanova, Misericordia, Hartwick, and Ithaca College, where he earned his master’s degree in physical education.

Anthony is a first-year medical student at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine with a growing interest in survivorship care, preventive health, and community-centered program design. Last spring, he worked with UC Health’s combined Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Cancer Exercise Program, where he supported patient assessments, monitored vital signs and quality-of-life measures, and contributed to patient education related to exercise, nutrition, and long-term health.

His role emphasized creating a welcoming, structured experience for survivors while collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to refine workflows that promote consistent, high-quality care delivery. Anthony is committed to developing sustainable, student-driven initiatives that expand access to evidence-based wellness resources across the UC Health system.

Erin Huml, PT, DPT is an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist with experience across hospital-based outpatient, corporate outpatient, and acute care settings, working in full-time, PRN, and travel roles. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Bellarmine University and her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University. Erin specializes in the treatment of conservative management of musculoskeletal pain, spine-related conditions, and dry needling.

She has served as a clinical instructor for DPT students, published a case report, and developed an outpatient aquatic therapy program. Erin is deeply passionate about health and wellness, with an athletic background that includes playing collegiate soccer, competing in bodybuilding competitions, and running, along with a commitment to modeling lifelong health and wellness for her patients.

Natosha Gottlieb serves as the Director of Sports Performance for the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball program. In her role, she leads the physical development of Bearcat student-athletes, focusing on optimizing performance while reducing injury risk. Gottlieb oversees training, recovery, nutrition guidance, and athlete education to ensure each player is fully prepared for practices and competition in the Big 12 Conference.

Gottlieb joined Cincinnati after four seasons at the University of Florida, where she served as strength and conditioning coordinator, working primarily with women’s basketball and women’s tennis. Prior to her time in Gainesville, she was the associate director of strength and conditioning at Florida State University, where she trained women’s cross country, volleyball, and beach volleyball. During her tenure at Florida State, she contributed to two conference championship teams in beach volleyball and back-to-back regional championships in women’s cross country.

Originally from New Orleans, Gottlieb was an accomplished student-athlete at Louisiana College, earning All-American honors as a guard while scoring over 1,000 career points and appearing in more than 100 games. She was a three-time ASC Academic Honor Roll selection and received the ASC Scholar Athlete Medal of Honor as a senior.

Gottlieb earned her bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from Louisiana College in 2013 and completed her master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at LSU in 2015. Her career also includes experience at Embry-Riddle University and an internship at LSU, reflecting a strong foundation in both applied sport science and athlete development.

Reed J. Engel, PhD, FAWHP, is the Employee Wellbeing Manager for Lurie Children’s Hospital (Chicago, IL).

Previously, Mr. Engel served as a National Account Health Engagement Advisor for Cigna Health Insurance, Senior Program Manager for Healthyroads, National Health Promotion Account Manager for MediFit Corporate Services, and Director of Wellness Strategies for Mather Institute on Aging (Evanston, IL).

Mr. Engel also served as a health volunteer in the Peace Corps in the Republic of Kiribati, where he established the country’s first wellness center, introduced national food safety legislation, and was an assistant national track coach.

Prior to the Peace Corps he spent 12 years as the Director of Corporate Fitness Management for the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (Indianapolis, IN) where he consulted with corporate clients throughout the U.S. He began his career with Saint Francis Hospital’s Corporate Health Promotion Program (Tulsa, OK).

Reed earned his Doctorate in Health Promotion from Purdue University, and Master’s degrees in Health Education and Economics from Miami University. He’s certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), and as a Health/Fitness Director by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Dr. Sanjay Shewakramani is an emergency medicine physician with over 22 years of experience and CEO / President of Revive Strength & Wellness. Revive provides uniquely personal fitness coaching for life—meeting people where they are, understanding their individual goals and challenges, and creating sustainable approaches to movement and wellness that fit their lives. He is passionate about reducing physician burnout and improving patient care. Dr. Shewakramani serves on the board of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation and on the advisory board for UC Osher Center for Integrative Health. He is a regular health contributor on 700WLW radio and completed his emergency medicine residency at Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency.

Phil Keehne currently serves as Director of Sports Science with the FC Cincinnati first team, leading athlete conditioning, on-field periodisation, and performance monitoring to optimise performance and maximise squad availability. I oversee fitness development and injury-reduction strategies through integrated, evidence-informed practice, working collaboratively across performance, coaching, and medical departments to align training with competitive demands. Phil is currently undertaking a Professional Doctorate, examining the effects of travel and environmental demands on team and player performance in Major League Soccer.

Annie Beck-Kaliin is the owner and founder of YOLO Fitness, a boutique fitness studio she opened in 2013 in Park Hills. A personal trainer and marathon runner, Annie provides one-on-one training and small group classes that focus on strength, balance, core stability, cardio, and endurance. Her classes are intentionally designed for a wide range of fitness levels, meeting clients where they are and progressing them safely and effectively toward their goals.

Annie holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kentucky. She is passionate about proper coaching, individualized programming, and creating a welcoming environment that reduces the intimidation many people feel when starting a fitness journey.

At YOLO Fitness — which stands for “You Only Live Once” — Annie has built more than a gym; she has built a community. Her mission is simple: help people feel stronger, more confident, and supported in a space where fitness is for everyone. 

Dr. Jessica Kowalski, a Western New York native and 2016 graduate of New York Chiropractic College (NYCC), received the esteemed Frank P. DeGiacomo Technique Award for her exceptional proficiency in chiropractic manipulation. A skilled chiropractor and sports performance specialist, Dr. Kowalski was inducted into the Phi Chi Omega Chiropractic Honor Society and served as president of the Motion Palpation Club at NYCC, further demonstrating her leadership and commitment to advancing the field.

Dr. Kowalski holds advanced certifications in Sports Science and Human Performance, Fascial Movement Taping through RockTape, and Dry Needling through Structure and Function. She has completed numerous courses through the Motion Palpation Institute, deepening her expertise in chiropractic techniques. Additionally, she is a certified Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) exercise trainer through the Prague School of Rehabilitation. Dr. Kowalski is dedicated to ongoing education, including specialized training in the evaluation and treatment of developmental growth in pediatric patients. As a Webster-certified practitioner, she also focuses on optimizing pelvic function and managing pain during pregnancy and postpartum.

Before pursuing chiropractic care, Dr. Kowalski earned her Bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY, where she was a dedicated athlete, playing both soccer and basketball. Outside of her professional work, she enjoys exercising, spending time outdoors, coaching basketball, and making memories with her family, which includes her husband, son, and two Weimaraners.

Dr. Jason R. Placeway is a licensed chiropractic physician who graduated cum laude from Logan College of Chiropractic in 2008. He takes a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to care, prioritizing individualized treatment plans and attentive listening to each patient’s concerns. Committed to improving outcomes, Dr. Placeway regularly participates in continuing education to stay current with advanced therapies and evidence-informed treatment approaches.

His clinical focus includes functional examination and rehabilitation of the spine and extremities, with specialized training in TMJ, cervical spine, and low back rehabilitation. In 2015, he trained in the Czech Republic and became certified in Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) through the Prague School of Rehabilitation, and he also holds certification as a DNS exercise trainer. Additionally, he has completed extensive coursework through the Motion Palpation Institute and has taught locally.

Before chiropractic school, Dr. Placeway earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Wilmington College, completing an internship with the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as a bachelor’s degree in human biology.

Brittany Barbosa is a human performance professional with academic training in exercise physiology and sports nutrition, holding bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University. She is currently a Regional Sales Manager at COSMED, The Metabolic Company, where she partners with universities, research institutions, healthcare systems, and performance organizations to implement advanced metabolic and body composition technologies.

Brittany’s professional foundation was built in collegiate athletics, sports nutrition, and strength and conditioning. While completing her graduate studies at Florida State, she worked in FSU Football Dietetics, conducted research at the FSU Institute of Sports Sciences & Medicine (ISSM), and gained additional experience in orthopedic rehabilitation, personal training, and group fitness.

She later led a corporate fitness and wellness program for Navy Federal Credit Union before moving into tactical human performance roles with the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy. In those positions, she served as a strength and conditioning coach, nutrition specialist, and health educator across multiple Marine Corps, Navy, and Army installations around the world. Her experience using body composition and metabolic testing in applied settings ultimately sparked the path to her current role with COSMED.

A native of Guilford, IN. Associate Athletic Trainer for Women's Basketball, Nate Hoffmeier, MS, ATC, joined the University of Cincinnati staff in January 2024. He originally came to UC as an Associate Athletic Trainer for Track & Field and was elevated to his current role in the summer of 2025. 

Hoffmeier's day-to-day responsibilities include management, treatment and prevention of all Women's Basketball and Women's Golf student-athlete injuries and illnesses, as well as assisting in the operation of the sports medicine center on the second floor of the Lindner Center and the satellite Athletic Training Room in 5/3 Arena. He also serves as a clinical preceptor for athletic training students in UC's MSAT program.

Prior to joining the Bearcats,  Hoffmeier spent 7 years working for TriHealth as a contracted Assistant Athletic Trainer at Xavier University from February 2017- January 2024. While at Xavier, he oversaw all facets of day-to-day care for the Musketeer's Baseball program, served as the department's insurance coordinator, and facilitated logistics of all medical care for the Big East Baseball Tournament at Prasco Park in Mason, OH each spring from 2018 until 2023. During his time with Xavier Baseball, served as the Athletic Trainer for 2 Big East Tournament Champion & NCAA Regional Finalist teams (2017 & 2023), and assisted the program on their road to a Big East Baseball Tournament Championship series appearance in all but one season during his time in Norwood. 

He graduated from Ball State University (Muncie, IN) with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training in 2011 and earned a Master's in Health & Human Performance with an emphasis in Exercise Science from Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK) in 2014. While at Oklahoma State University, Hoffmeier also served as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Cowgirl's Softball Program from 2011 to 2013 before transitioning to work with the Men's and Women's Tennis programs during the 2013-14 season. During his time with the tennis programs, he was able to assist the sports medicine department with the initial design and layout of a satellite Athletic Training Room in the then newly opened Greenwood Tennis Center, laying the foundation for on-site medical care in a state-of-the-art college tennis facility. 

Hoffmeier currently resides in Harrison, OH with his wife (Kayla), two children (Rilynn-6, Declan - 2), and their dog(B