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.

Research Technicians

Mason McClarnon

Hometown: Clarinda, IA

  • Mason is a graduate of Wayne State College where he got his bachelor’s majoring in Biology. He is a research technician in the lab helping with data collection, analysis/coding, and recruitment of the various projects within the lab.

    In his free time he likes to strum on his guitar, lifting, cooking, reading, and go to the movies.

Sofia Quintanilla

Hometown: Aurora, CO

  • Sofia is a recent graduate of Creighton University where she majored in Exercise Science and Pre-health Profession. She is a PT student in the lab helping with data collection and analysis of the various projects.

    In her free time, Sofia enjoys running, lifting, and yoga. 

Physical Therapy Students

Quinten Vasa

Hometown: Nebraska City, NE

  • 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.

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!

Medical Students

Andy Song

Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA

  • Andy is a 3rd year medical student at Creighton who is currently focused on further analysis from the HIIT program. He has interest in the field of neurology and physical medicine and rehabilitation, and enjoys research that helps people to find practical ways they can improve their health and functionality. 

    In his free time, he likes to play basketball, pickleball, watch the Dodgers win, and check out all the great restaurants in Omaha! 

Nadia Khan

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

  • Nadia is a first-year medical student who graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Neuroscience in 2023 and an M.A. in Medical Gerontology in 2024. She is currently investigating the dynamics of physical activity and interpersonal relationships in older adults using the neuroimaging technique hypers​​canning. Her goal is to understand how exercise can enhance social bonding between individuals, particularly among those who experience relationship strain. Nadia is interested in learning how movement and rehabilitative interventions can be utilized to improve her future patients’ outcomes, quality of life, and well-being. 

    Outside of school, Nadia loves to play guitar, do yoga, and read science fiction books. 

Undergraduate Students

Katherine Reinhard

Hometown: Woodbury, MN

  • Katherine is an undergraduate research assistant and is studying Biology at Creighton University. In the lab, she assists in studying dyadic physical activity programs with adults with mild cognitive impairment.

    Outside of the lab, Katherine enjoys working out, cooking, spending time outdoors, and traveling

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.

Claire Niehaus

Hometown: Omaha, NE

  • Claire assists with collection and analysis of data the EngAge Wellness HIIT workout class within the lab.

    Outside of research, she likes playing and watching soccer, reading, chasing sunsets, watching movies, playing piano, and cooking

Erin Lemar

Hometown: Omaha, NE

  • Erin is an undergraduate research assistant studying Exercise Science at Creighton University. She assists with data collection and teaching classes for the HIIT program. Erin's research interests are in osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and the use of GLP-1s in treating obesity. She is also interested in resistance training as treatment for individuals with hypermobility syndromes.

    Outside of the lab, Erin enjoys lifting, knitting, and playing guitar. 

GET INVOLVED

Join our Lab

Graduate and Undegraduate Students

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