.png)
OUR TEAM
Members of ECHO Lab include people from USC and other research institutes.
Chih-Hsiang "Jason" Yang
Assistant Professor
Dr. Yang is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Exercise Science and TecHealth Center. He earned a Ph.D. degree in Kinesiology with a focus on the psychology of physical activity at The Pennsylvania State University. He was employed by the University of Southern California as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Department of Preventive Medicine before joining the University of South Carolina.
Jongwon Lee
Doctoral Student
Jongwon is a doctoral student in the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Korea National Sports University and his Master of Public Health in Health Policy from Emory University. His research interest is motivating physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior.
Halle Prine
Doctoral Student
Halle is a second-year doctoral student in the Department of exercise science at the University of South Carolina. She received her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at Augusta University, GA, and finished her master's at the University of South Carolina. Her study interests include determinates of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral health outcomes within populations at risk of developing chronic and neurological diseases. She is interested in evaluating the role of executive functions (attention/visual search) and motivation within exercise. Her favorite hobbies include running, hiking, and reading.
.png)
Alina Tofiqul
Undergraduate Student
Alina Tofiqul is a third-year undergraduate student earning her B.S. in Public Health and a minor in Medical Humanities and Culture. Alina plans on going to medical school after she graduates, working in the Endocrinology or Women’s Health sector. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, reading and pilates.
Jiya Anand
Undergraduate Student
Jiya is a second-year undergraduate student in the Honors College. She is pursuing a BS in Public Health with a minor in Psychology and plans to attend medical school after graduation. Her research interests include cognition, chronic illness, nutrition, and preventive medicine. In her free time, Jiya likes watching movies, weightlifting, and hanging out with friends.
Ava Lopardo Undergraduate Student
Ava Lopardo is a first-year undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in Public Health. She plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in pediatrics. Her research interests include healthy lifestyle behaviors, physical activity, and their impact on health outcomes. In her free time, she enjoys going to the beach, trying new coffee shops, and going on runs.
Jyoshita Umasankar
Undergraduate Student
Jyoshita is a 3rd-year Neuroscience student minoring in Medical Humanities and Culture. She plans to attend medical school after graduation to pursue her interest in pediatrics. Her research interests include the relation between physical activity and cognitive health outcomes. In her free time she loves hanging out with friends, trying new restaurants, and playing tennis.
Chih-Liang Wang
Doctoral Student
Chih-Liang (Arthur) Wang is a first-year doctoral student in the Department of Exercise Science at the University of South Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Kaohsiung Medical University and master’s degree of science in Institute of Gerontology from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. His research interests are physical activity and sleep in older adults, with a focus on ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and advanced statistical modeling on wrist accelerometer data. His favorite hobbies include building Lego creations, running, and cycling.
Sofia Piombino
Undergraduate Student
Sofia is a third-year undergraduate student in the Arnold School of Public Health and Honors College. She is studying exercise science and plans to pursue a career in physical therapy. Her research interests include health and physical activity. In her free time, Sofia likes to go on walks, go to the beach, and hang out with friends.
Chathurvedi Ganguru
Undergraduate Student
Vedi is a fourth-year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience. She plans on attending medical school to become a pediatric neurologist. Vedi's research interests include the effects of physical activity/sleep on cognitive abilities of elderly participants, and finding potential cures/early detection methods for neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's. Her hobbies are baking and running outdoors.
Ethan Mink Undergraduate Student
Ethan Mink is a third-year undergraduate student in the Arnold School of Public Health, working on a degree in Exercise Science. After graduating, he plans on pursuing a career in physical therapy or nutrition. His research interests include physical activity and preventative medicine. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, reading, and watching sports
Jyoshikka Umasankar Undergraduate Student
Jyoshikka is a third-year student pursuing a B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Medical Humanities and Culture. She plans to attend medical school.Her research interests include cognition, physical activity, and lifestyle factors. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, trying new foods, and hanging out with friends.
Emilia Csatari
Undergraduate Student
Emilia is a sophomore studying Exercise Science with a minor in Business. She is interested in the role of physical activity and exercise programs in improving health outcomes, especially in underserved communities. She is focused on exercise physiology, injury prevention, and increasing access to rehabilitation, wellness, and prevention programs. She plans to earn her DPT. She likes to workout, walk her dogs, and spend time with friends.
Varun Kaithi
Undergraduate Student
Varun is a second-year undergraduate student in the honors college. He is pursuing a B.A.R.S.C. Degree while minoring in Theatre and plans to attend medical school after graduation. His research interests include cognitive function, brain connectivity, and neurodevelopmental disorders. In his free time, Varun enjoys exercising, playing guitar, reading, and watching sports.
PHOTO GALLERY
ALUMNI
Congratulations to our 2026 graduates!
Krista Kicsak
Graduate Student
Ms. Kicsak earned her Master's of Public Health in Physical Activity program in the Department of Exercise Science. She received her Bachelor's degrees in Exercise Science and Health Science from The College at Brockport, NY and is an ACSM certified exercise physiologist. She pursued her MPH to further her education and training in various healthcare sectors and systems. She is interested in the relationship between lifestyle factors and chronic diseases, specifically with obesity, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and preventative strategies.
Laura Phillips
Graduate Student/ Project Coordinator
Laura Phillips earned her master's degree in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina. She earned her bachelor’s in Athletic Training, with a minor in Sports Studies, from Penn State Main Campus. She plans to work with older adults, keeping them fit and healthy. Some of her interests include injury prevention in athletes, health promotion, and physical activity promotion for older adults. She enjoys riding horses, cooking, volunteering with the FriendShip, playing tennis, and watching her favorite sports teams (Penn State, USC Women's Basketball, Flyers, Yankees, Eagles).
Jatyra Holmes
Graduate Student
Jatyra Holmes graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. She hopes to attend physical therapy school. Her interests include behavioral components of physical activity, sports medicine, and neuromechanics.
Austin is a graduate of the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina with a B.S. in Public Health and a minor in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior. He plans to pursue a career in the healthcare field with a focus in data analytics. His research interests include data analysis, health education, and food security among children. In his free time, he likes to spend time with his friends and volunteer with the gamecock pantry as the director of outreach and education.
Austin Mitchell
Undergraduate Student
Natalie Hirsch
Undergraduate Student
Natalie earned her Bachelor's in public health with a minor in political science at USC. She hopes to attend graduate and/or law school in order to pursue a career in public health advocacy. Her research interests consist of physical activity and how it affects cognitive and mental health.
Kasey Drayton
Graduate Student
Kasey graduated from the Arnold School of Public Health with a master's degree in Public Health and Physical Activity Public Health. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNC Pembroke, and her master’s degree in sport psychology from Florida State University. She has a broad scope of interests, including disordered eating in athletes, the effects of mindfulness on physical activity, and health communication. In her free time, she enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with her dog, Bear.
Tyler Gheen
Undergraduate Student
Tyler Gheen graduated the Arnold School of Public Health with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in psychology. He plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician. His research interests include physical activity, mental health, and healthy lifestyle promotion. In his free time, he enjoys running and spending time with friends and family.
Shannon Coffey Undergraduate Student
Shannon graduated from the University of South Carolina with her B.S. in Public Health. She plans to attend medical school to become a physician. Her research interests include studying physical activity and cognitive decline in older adults. Her hobbies include watching premier league soccer and going on walks with her dog.
Priya Patel
Project Manager
Priya earned her B.S. in Public Health and Business Administration at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. She worked at the ECHO Lab in her gap year before pursuing medical school to be a physician. Her research interests are in the areas of physical activity as well as cancer for which she is currently working in another research lab. Priya’s hobbies include spending time with her friends and playing with her dog!
Sabina Rojas-Franco
Project Manager
Sabina Rojas-Franco graduated from USC with a BS in Biology. She took a gap year, working at the ECHO Lab, and plans on attending Medical School to become a pediatrician or a family medicine physician. Her research interest includes the prevention of neurological diseases from children to older adults and whether lifestyle is a correlating factor to neurological health or if it can slow down the progression of neurological diseases. In her free time, Sabina enjoys playing the violin, painting, helping the community, and spending time with loved ones and animals.
![Headshot[37].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/28632b_0cc1e80c0daa4553b89082f5cdc632aa~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_93,y_149,w_1021,h_1046/fill/w_128,h_128,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Headshot%5B37%5D.jpg)
Vanessa Bartholomew
Undergraduate Student
Vanessa Bartholomew completed her Bachelor's in Public Health at the Arnold School of Public Health. She is attending medical school for her M.D. Her research interests include physical activity, mindfulness, and healthy lifestyle choices. She looks forward to continuing research in the future and the prospect of lifelong learning as a physician. In Vanessa's free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, exercising, and practicing mindful meditation.
Catherine Neel
Undergraduate Student
Catherine Neel is a graduate of the Arnold School of Public Health with a degree in Public Health. She was a member of the South Carolina Honors College and studied to become a physical therapist. Her research interests include studying physical activity and its effect on mental and cognitive health, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physiological health of people.
_edited.jpg)
Angelina Thai
Undergraduate Student
Angelina graduated from the Arnold School of Public Health at USC. She plans to attend PA school after taking a gap year to gain more clinical experience in the health department. Her research interests include health care in rural populations and mental health in adolescents.
Allison Tracy
Graduate Student
Allison Tracy is a graduate of the Arnold School of Public Health with a degree in Exercise Science from the Honors College. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and is pursuing a career in physical therapy at UofSC. Her research interests include the relationship between cognitive health and physical activity outcomes and she enjoys studying rural healthcare. In her free time, Allison enjoys lifting weights and spending time with her friends and family!
Isabella Ha
Undergraduate Student
Isabella graduated from the Arnold School of Public Health with a B.S. in Public Health with a minor in Nutrition & Food Systems. After graduation, Isabella plans to pursue her MPH and become a Certified Dietician. Some of her interests include preventative health, medical anthropology, and sports nutrition. She enjoys learning about how these topics impact short and long-term cognitive health. Isabella enjoys spending time with her friends, hiking, surfing, cooking, and crocheting.
Victoria Moy
Undergraduate Student
Victoria Moy graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences where she studied biology and health, promotion, education, and behavior (HPEB). She plans to pursue a career in genetic counseling, earn her PhD, and become a professor. Her research interests include cancer genetics, COVID-19’s impacts on college students, and young adult e-cigarette use. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends, cooking, and running.
Ashley Saltzman
Undergraduate Student
Ashley graduated from the Arnold School of Public Health with her B.S. in Exercise Science. She plans on pursuing physical therapy post-graduation. Her interests include the role of holistic health and physical activity as it pertains to the prevention of injury, disease, and depression. She enjoys being in nature, hanging with her dogs, and reading.
Terrant Blewett
Undergraduate Student
Terrant earned his Bachelor's degree in Public Health. He has a strong passion for the overall health of individuals and medicine. Terrant plans on attending medical school. He enjoys playing guitar and lifting weights.
Jenna Dzwierzynski
Project Coordinator and Project Manager
Jenna is earned her MPH at the Arnold School of Public Health. She also earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of South Carolina. She wants to focus on the impact of physical activity on women. Some of her interests include mental health and physical activity, exercise psychology, and health promotion. Her hobbies include reading, running, and hiking.
Madison Ward
Undergraduate Student
Madison Ward earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health at the Arnold School of Public Health and Honors College. She hopes to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant. Her research interests include the relationship between cognitive health and physical activity outcomes, especially among older adults. Madison enjoys a wide range of activities including cycle classes, sporting events, and going out to eat with family and friends.
Ethan Shaw
Undergraduate Student
Ethan earned his Bachelor's degree at the Arnold School for Public Health. He plans to pursue his master's in public health. In his free time he enjoys competing in powerlifting and weightlifting as well as cooking.
Anthony Rousseau
Undergraduate Student
Anthony earned his Bachelor's degree in neuroscience from the honors a college and plans to attend medical school to become a pediatrician. In his pastime Anthony enjoys exercising, cooking, sports, medicine, and spending time with his friends and family.
Fatou Diedhiou
Undergraduate Student
Fatou graduated from the Arnold School of Public Health with her B.S. in Public Health. She was also a peer leader at the university where she guided and taught first-year students. Fatou is interested in health disparities and studying the intersection between health and sociology. She plans on attending medical school to become a surgeon. She enjoys watching movies and going to Riverwalk.
Jackson Rueff
Undergraduate Student
Jackson earned his Bachelor's degree in Public Health with a minor in Neuroscience. He plans to attend medical school to work in the field of orthopedics or sports medicine. His interests include sports, cooking, and exercise.
Lea-Foster Khalil
Undergraduate Student
Lea-Foster earned her Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience with minors in Dance and Medical Humanities and Culture. She plans on attending medical school to complete a dual MD/PhD program to become either a neurologist or ophthalmologist. In her free time, she enjoys dance, reading, roller skating, her duties as Miss Gamecock 2024, and going on walks with her dog.
Katlin Pugh
Undergraduate Student
Katlin Pugh majored in Biology, Chemistry, History, Neuroscience, and Chemical Engineering with a minor in Southern Studies. She plans to attend medical school to become a pediatric neurosurgeon. Her research interests include cognition, development, and pharmacology, especially in regards drugs affecting the brain. In her free time she loves to read, walk, spend time with family and friends, and play piano.
Ava Svatos
Undergraduate Student
Ava is earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology and Neuroscience. She plans to attend medical school and hopes to work in pediatrics or women's health. Her research interests include cognition and development. She loves to read, drink coffee, and watch tennis, Formula 1, and new movies.
Sarah White
Undergraduate Student
Sarah White earned her Bachelor's in Exercise Science. She intends to pursue a career in physical therapy. Her research interests include physical activity and nutrition. In her free time, Sarah enjoys volunteering, reading, and taking walks with friends.
William Barnes
Undergraduate Student
Will earned his bachelor's degree in Public Health. He plans to attend medical school to become either a psychiatrist or orthopedic oncologist. Some of his research interests include the intersection between health literacy and digital drawing, along with the relationship between exercise and age-related diseases. In his free time, Will enjoys playing tennis and cheering on the gamecock's football team.