MoveCog Lab

Meet the People

This page features our principal investigator, faculty collaborators, physical therapy students, research technicians, and undergraduate students.

Principal Investigator

Rashelle Hoffman, PT, DPT, PhD

  • Dr. Hoffman is the Principal Investigator for the MoveCog Lab. She is an Assistant Professor at Creighton University Omaha Campus. She achieved her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She went on to complete the Geriatric Physical Therapy Residency Program at Creighton University and is a Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist. Additionally, she obtained a PhD at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. She has clinical experience in skilled nursing, outpatient, long-term care, and home health care settings.

Faculty Collaborators

Mitchel Magrini, PhD, CSCS, NSCA-CPT

  • Dr. Mitchel Magrini is an assistant professor in the department of Exercise Science and Pre-Health Professions at Creighton University. He is a faculty collaborator in the MoveCog Lab.

Erin Blocker, PhD

  • Dr. Erin Blocker is an Assistant Professor at Emporia State University. She is the director of the LEAP! @ ESU Program. She is a faculty collaborator in the MoveCog Lab on the RemoteEx+ project.

Amber Witherby, PhD

  • Dr. Amber Witherby is an Assistant Professor in the Psychological Science Department at Creighton University. She is a faculty collaborator in the MoveCog Lab.

Quinten Vasa

Hometown: Nebraska City, NE

Physical Therapy Students

  • In the lab Quinten assists with data analysis, research recruitment and connection, and exercise prescription for the projects! Quinten was drawn towards the MoveCog Lab because there is an emphasis on improving health outcomes for underserved areas through education about movement. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on community health and wellness which is one of Quinten’s biggest passions! 

    Quinten’s hobbies are playing in recreational basketball leagues, piano, reading, quality TV and movies, and keeping up with sports (particularly Husker football and Creighton basketball)!

Josie Brown

Hometown: Geneseo, IL

  • Josie is a student in the Physical Therapy program helping with the RemoteEx study. Josie is interested in helping with this study to understand how we can make exercise more accessible and engaging for all individuals especially those in rural areas.

    In her free time, she enjoys running, being outside, knitting, and spending time with family and friends.

Elise Choquette

Hometown: Omaha, NE

  • Elise Choquette is an Omaha native with deep Creighton roots. She graduated from Creighton University with a B.S. in Neuroscience, and is currently a 3rd year physical therapy student. She plans to pursue a neurological physical therapy residency, starting in 2026. With a strong passion for research, she has been involved in the MoveCog Lab since late 2023. Her primary focus is ADRD biomarker testing in rural areas. She has presented on campus and most recently at the annual APTA American Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Conference. Outside of an academic setting, she enjoys road trips, hiking, biking, running, and exploring local coffee shops. 

Alyssa Baker

Hometown: Bentonville, AR

  • Alyssa is currently involved in geriatric physical therapy research and am particularly interested in muscle tone and neuromuscular control in older adults. She is curious about how changes in muscle tone influence mobility, balance, and functional independence. As well as how rehabilitation interventions can support movement efficiency and reduce fall risk in aging populations. She hope to continue exploring geriatric rehabilitation while also expanding into women’s health within physical therapy. She is especially interested in under-researched conditions such as endometriosis and other chronic pelvic health concerns.

    Alyssa wants to learn how physical therapy can contribute to improving symptom management, function, and quality of life while helping normalize conversations around women’s health in healthcare.

    Outside of PT, Alyssa enjoys prioritizing wellness in my day-to-day life. She loves exploring different forms of exercise, experimenting with juicing and baking in the kitchen, reading, and finding ways to support her health and well-being in a balanced and sustainable way!

Research Technicians

Blake Murphy

Hometown: Des Moines, IA

  • Blake joined the lab as an undergraduate student in 2023 and has been in his current role as a research technician for over two years. He has contributed to numerous projects​, supporting the lab’s ongoing research through recruitment, data collection, and analysis.

    Outside the lab, Blake enjoys running, cycling, and golfing, among other things.

Penelope Juarez

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

  • Penny is a research technician helping with data collection and analysis of the various projects within the lab. Penny is passionate about delving into clinical research specifically the benefits of exercise for people of all ages. Penny hopes to attend medical school in the future.

    In her free time, she likes reading books, going to spin class, and cooking/baking.

Undergraduate Students

April Krywe

Hometown: Pleasanton, CA

  • April is an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Hoffman's lab and is studying Exercise Science. April’s research includes utilizing Western Blots to determine changes in myogenic protein expression following high-intensity interval training in older adults. April is interested in understanding how different exercise modalities improve quality of life for older adults and how that is reflected in the muscle microenvironment and myokine signaling.

    April’s hobbies outside of the lab include boxing, lifting, and spending time with friends. 

Jonah LaGrange

Hometown: Elkhorn, NE

  • Jonah assists with collection and analysis of data for various projects within the lab. Jonah’s research interest include learning more about sarcopenia in older adults.

    Outside of research, he has diverse interests, including photography, singing in an acapella group, and enjoying the outdoors.

GET INVOLVED

Join our Lab

Graduate and Undegraduate Students

Contact MoveCogLab@creighton.edu with any questions about opportunities in the lab.