Ryan Lab Group
Eric Ryan, Ph.D.
Stallings Scholar and Associate Professor, Department of Exercise and Sport Science
Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Allied Health
Director, Exercise Science Teaching Laboratory
Previous Education
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 2009
M.S., Florida Atlantic University, 2005
B.S., Tulane University, 2003
Contact Information:
Email: edryan@email.unc.edu
Dr. Ryan’s research focuses on examining the influence of various acute and chronic stressors on neuromuscular function. He is particularly interested in identifying key risk factors for common fatal and non-fatal injuries in first responders and identifying key feasible interventions to improve occupational health and performance. Dr. Ryan has published over 110 peer-reviewed original research manuscripts and has lectured nationally on the research conducted with his team.
PubMed Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=ryan+ed&sort=date
Retired Firefighter Research Study Link: https://exss.unc.edu/motion-science-institute/ryan-lab-group/retired-firefighter-research-study/
Awards and Honors
Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine
Fellow, National Strength and Conditioning Association
Distinguished Alumni Award, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education
Terry J. Housh Young Investigator of the Year Award Recipient, National Strength and Conditioning Association
The Team
Hayden Giuliani, MA
Doctoral Student
Educational Background
M.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
B.S., Waynesburg University
Contact Information:
Email: haydeng@live.unc.edu
Twitter: @HayGiuliani
Hayden Giuliani completed her MA in Exercise Physiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her BS in Athletic Training and Exercise Science at Waynesburg University in Pennsylvania. Under the direction of Dr. Eric Ryan, Hayden examines neuromuscular function, specifically the influence of muscle quality on measures of strength and function. Additionally, she is interested in investigating workload within tactical populations in relation to injury risk and job performance. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, lifting, and trying new coffee shops.
Luke Arieta, BS
Master’s Student
Educational Background
B.S., University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Contact Information:
Email: larieta@live.unc.edu
Luke Arieta is from Mansfield, Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a BS in Kinesiology. His research experience in the Muscle Physiology Lab sparked his interest to pursue graduate education in exercise physiology. Luke is working under the direction of Dr. Ryan in the Neuromuscular Assessment Lab where he hopes to advance his knowledge in neuromuscular physiology.
Kealey Wohlgemuth, BA
Master’s Student
Educational Background
B.A., The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Contact Information:
Email: kealeykj@live.unc.edu
Twitter: KealeyWohl
Kealey is from Topsail Island, North Carolina and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She majored in Exercise and Sport Science while working as a research assistant and strength and conditioning coach. She hopes to pursue a doctoral degree where she can continue to research neuromuscular performance and resistance training within special populations. Kealey loves to spend time boating, with her family, and watching the Tar Heels play basketball.
Evangeline Soucie, BS
Master’s Student
Educational Background
B.S., University of Kentucky
Contact Information:
Email: esoucie@live.unc.edu
Twitter: ESoucie1
Evangeline graduated from the University of Kentucky where she gained experience in the Exercise Physiology Lab and became interested in neuromuscular physiology. More specifically, she is interested in the neuromuscular responses to resistance exercise and different fatiguing protocols. She is currently pursuing her Masters degree under the mentorship of Dr. Eric Ryan and hopes to pursue a PhD in Exercise and Sports Science upon graduation. Some of her hobbies include rock climbing, long boarding, and playing card games.
James Merritt, BS
Master’s Student
Educational Background
B.S., East Carolina University
Contact Information:
Email: jrmerri@live.unc.edu
Twitter: amerrittca
James is originally from Chapel Hill and completed his Bachelors of Science in Exercise Physiology at East Carolina University. He is interested in studying muscle recovery and regeneration in sports, and his future research goal is to be able to study the effects of neurodegenerative diseases on muscle performance.
Undergraduate Research Assistants:
Adam Coleman 2021
Lab Group Alumni
Eric Sobolewski, PhD. Assistant Professor, Department of Health Sciences, Furman University. Graduated 2014.
Gena Gerstner, PhD. Assistant Professor, Department of Human Movement Sciences, Old Dominion University. Graduated 2019.
Jacob Mota, PhD. Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Alabama. Graduated 2020.
Current Grant Funding & Research Projects
Osteoarthritis Prevalence and Modifiable Risk Factors in Retired Firefighters (Principal Investigator), Awarded by the NC Occupational Safety and Health Education Research Center, 2019-2020.
Non-invasive Assessment of Overuse Injury Mechanisms in the Adolescent Athlete (Principal Investigator), Awarded by the National Institute of Health/ National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2016-2020.