The OPRL is excited to introduce Emma Richardson – Laboratory Technician!

Emma is driven by a passion for athletic performance research. At OPRL, she supports lab operations, data collection, and research initiatives aimed at exploring human performance and athletic innovation.

Emma earned her master’s in Sport & Exercise Science from the Technical University of Munich. She spent two years in Germany gaining international experience in exercise physiology. This included both lab and field-based testing, such as a high-altitude experiment in the Austrian Alps. Her thesis focused on the impact of carbohydrate knowledge on dietary intake in amateur triathletes.

Prior to that, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she served as captain of the All-Girl cheer team, which initiated her interest in sports science. She later worked as a high-performance intern for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, supporting athletic development, performance testing, and monitoring of athletes ranging from developmental to multi-time Olympians.

Emma aims to use her experience in research and applied sports science to enhance athlete health, performance, and scientific discovery at OPRL. Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities such as trail running, gravel biking, and skiing.

The OPRL is excited to introduce Kristina Binder – first year PhD student!

Kristina aims to become a researcher in applied exercise physiology, with a primary focus on exploring the impact of the gut microbiome and inflammation on exercise performance. She is particularly interested in understanding how these factors evolve with aging. 

Kristina earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology from Gonzaga University. During her final years in the program, she contributed to a range of research projects, spanning topics from physiology to education. She studied the role of chromatin remodeling complexes in oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, she assisted with a project that analyzed the use of the core concepts of physiology within university curricula. These experiences fueled her desire to pursue a career in physiological research. Her interest in exercise physiology developed through coursework during her education, where it became one of her favored subjects. She also grew curious about how other physiological systems could influence exercise performance. This drive to understand the integration of systems and their impact on human performance ultimately led her to the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory.  

Outside the lab, she enjoys snowboarding and spending time in nature. She also loves taking her dog, Eddie, on adventures such as swimming or playing in the snow.

As we kick off Year 2 of the OPRL, we’re excited to introduce some new members! First up is Hannah Young, a first year PhD student.

Hannah is an aspiring exercise physiology researcher. Her interests are vast, but she is keen to investigate sex differences in athletic performance and the impacts of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and Low Energy Availability (LEA) on various physiological measures. Hannah’s athletic pursuits, previous injury history, experience coaching female athletes, and personal journey through eating disorder recovery fuel her passion for research in this field.

Hannah earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Science, with a minor in Psychology, from the University of Nebraska. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from James Madison University. Her master’s research revolved around respiratory physiology, where she examined the changes in operating lung volumes and expiratory flow limitation throughout the course of pregnancy. This project reignited Hannah’s passion for science, sparked an interest in research, and formed a deep curiosity that she intends to follow as she pursues her Ph.D. here at UO.

Hannah also played collegiate soccer for both UNL and JMU, eventually pivoting to a coaching role at JMU after several serious injuries. Now, Hannah channels her curiosity for discovering her own limits into trail ultrarunning. She completed her first 50k in the spring of 2023 and has ambitious goals for her future in this sport. Her journey is guided by an enjoyment of the process, an intense love for the mountains, an appreciation for the connection this community fosters, and a deep sense of gratitude for an able body.

The OPRL is excited to introduce our first PhD student! – Mira Schoeberlein, B.S.  

Mira joins the OPRL as she pursues a Ph.D. in Human Physiology; and as a  founding member, is the lab’s first student researcher. Her research interests revolve around the impact of various stressors on the physiological limits of human performance.  Her current research study aims to understand the link between fluctuating sex hormones and sustainable exercise intensities (link to study).  

Mira received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Puget Sound (UPS). During her time at UPS, Mira conducted guided research projects over for five semesters. This began in organic chemistry, and later she followed her passion for scientific research in exercise physiology. This allowed her to blend her passion for biochemistry and experiences from extracurricular activities (rock climbing, skiing, and mountaineering). Mira conducted novel physiology research investigating combined heat exposure and varying exercise intensity on pulmonary gas exchange. This project solidified her passion for research in the field of exercise and environmental physiology. 

In addition to her academic interests, Mira also pursued a professional career in the outdoor industry as a mountaineering guide on Mount Rainier in Washington. She witnessed a variety of physiological challenges and triumphs while working with clients on the mountain. Mira’s experiences on the mountains, both professional and personal, fuel her curiosity for performance research and the underlying physiology when humans are pushed to their physical limits.   

Dr. Jake Hudgins – a research associate on the OPRL team – was brought on to be both an applied researcher and manager of OPRL’s operations, research compliance, and organizational needs. Finalizing the physical lab space was priority one on Dr. Hudgins’ 2023 agenda. This included the procurement of the lab’s major research equipment and supplies while helping OPRL Director, Dr. Wilkins, navigate the lab’s major renovation. With phase 1 of the renovation complete, Dr. Hudgins has shifted focus to OPRL’s research testing for ongoing studies and helping to build the OPRL’s research team and collaborators.

Dr. Hudgins joined the team after receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky where his research focused on determining the validity of wearable training devices for estimating metabolic workloads during running or for improving strength and power training. With an interest in leveraging the huge amount of data in modern research, he also completed a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics during his Ph.D.

In addition to being an experienced researcher, Dr. Hudgins also has a background in sport performance coaching. He was an Assistant Performance Coach for the Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake and the National Women Soccer League’s Utah Royals soccer teams where he assisted with the design and implementation of physical performance training programs and sport science initiatives. He received his master’s in Strength & Conditioning from the University of Georgia and bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University where he also interned with the strength & conditioning staffs for Olympic Sports and Football, respectively. Over the last decade, Jake has also privately trained hundreds of individuals from youth athletes to masters’ athletes, as well as individuals simply seeking to maintain fitness later in life.

Dr. Hudgins’ combined background in performance coaching and research is a significant asset to the OPRL; while working with athlete participants or translating scientific insights to actionable and tangible strategies for anyone seeking to improve performance.

Outside the lab, he loves training for triathlons and other performance goals while also exploring Oregon’s great food and wine culture with his wife Kristen.

Introducing the director of the Oregon Performance Research Laboratory – Brad Wilkins, PhD.

Dr. Wilkins is excited to be back at the University of Oregon, where he earned his Ph.D. in Human Physiology. Since leaving Eugene, he has become a leading expert in exercise and sport physiology. His passion lies in dissecting the physiological limits underlying human performance to then remove those barriers that constrain true human potential. Over the last 25 years, Dr. Wilkins has examined questions related to thermoregulation, neural control of the cardiovascular system, the influence of environment on exercise performance, the impact of product interventions on performance outcomes, and the bioenergetic factors constraining endurance performance. This work has led to over 40 published manuscripts and patents. Following the completion of his Ph.D. here at UO, he trained as a post-doctoral fellow at the Mayo Clinic under renowned physiologist Mike Joyner, before beginning an impressive 10-year stint as a research scientist at Nike. Dr. Wilkins held several scientific leadership positions at Nike including the founder of the Nike+ Sport Performance Laboratory, directing Next Generation Research teams, and leading the scientific team for Nike’s attempt at a sub 2-hour marathon (Breaking2).   

Combining much of his previous work, his current research interests include exploring how the cardiovascular system and muscle bioenergetics dictate oxygen supply–demand balance during exercise, and how this interplay can limit endurance performance. As a teacher, he is dedicated to instilling the importance of scientific exploration, curiosity, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving to young scientists, medical professionals, business leaders, and citizens of the world.   

Outside the lab, Dr. Wilkins is also a surfer and rock climber and enjoys time with his friends and family. He’s thrilled with the progress OPRL has had thus far and is eager to build its scientific portfolio and contributions to the performance community.