Our Team

Director
Dr. Moran holds a Ph.D. in Biomechanics from the Pennsylvania State University and he is currently a Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science while serving as the Director of the Undergraduate Exercise Science program. His primary research interests focus on investigating factors that influence human movement patterns primarily running biomechanics. Coupled with his academic and research pursuits, he is an accomplished distance runner and former collegiate cross country/track & field coach.

Head Sport Scientist
Dr. Christopher Taber completed his Ph.D. in Sport Physiology and Performance from East Tennessee State University in 2016. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Science. His research interests include athlete monitoring, strength and power development and weightlifting.

Sport Scientist
David is the sport scientist at the Pioneer Performance Center, where he leads physiological testing including VO2 max, lactate threshold and body composition and provides specialized training services like AlterG treadmill sessions, group exercise classes, personal training and training plan creation. With more than a decade of experience as an endurance coach and seven years as a physical therapist assistant specializing in orthopedics, David combines his expertise in strength and endurance exercise prescription to optimize performance and minimize injury risk. An accomplished endurance athlete, David has competed at national and world championship duathlons and holds multiple advanced certifications in coaching, strength and rehabilitation.

Assistant Clinical Professor
Jonathan completed his MS in Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Physiology at Ithaca College in 2007. For the past 12 years he has worked as a personal trainer, performance coach, collegiate strength & conditioning coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York, and a manager for a performance based training and physical therapy business. He holds a CSCS from the NSCA in addition to several specialty certifications. His interests include athletic performance, the mechanics and coaching of speed and agility, and behavior change in the general population.

Clinical Education Coordinator
Eric is an associate clinical professor in the exercise science program at Sacred Heart University. He earned an MS in Exercise Science with a Human Performance specialization from Southern Connecticut State University and his undergraduate degree from Quinnipiac College. He is an NATA-BOC Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. His primary teaching content focuses on Sports Medicine and his primary research interests are in musculoskeletal dysfunction and its association with musculoskeletal injury.

Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Dr. Bjerke’s background as a clinical exercise physiologist in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation suits clients with chronic disease risk factors and those recovering from health conditions such as cardiovascular and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. She has experience with various clinical tests and can provide body composition analysis and sub maximal as well as maximal VO2 max testing. Chronic disease management counseling specific to exercise, nutrition and stress management can also be provided.