Travis Pollen, Ph.D. (Hands-on Session) Travis Pollen is an assistant professor of Exercise Science at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He received his Ph.D. in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences from Drexel University, his M.S. in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware, and his B.A. in Physics from Swarthmore College. His research interests include injury prevention and sports rehabilitation, and specifically, pre-participation screening, return-to-sport testing, and training load. He has co-authored two books ("Speed Training for Hockey" and "Strength Training for Yoga"), been featured in the New York Times and TIME Magazine, and is a former American record holder in Paralympic swimming. In his free time, he enjoys participating in all different forms of exercise (from running to yoga to rock climbing), listening to indie folk music, playing guitar and singing, and watching NBA, NFL, and reality TV.
Adam Atwell ’21, PT, DPT (Clinical Focus Workshop) Adam Atwell is a physical therapist at Wise Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in Grove City. He received his DPT from Slippery Rock University and his B.S. in Exercise Science from Grove City College. He works with both general and athletic populations. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, and spending time with his family and friends.
Nathan Zechman, M.Ed. (Performance Focus Workshop) Nathan Zechman is a teaching professor of Kinesiology at Penn State University. He received his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and B.S. in Kinesiology from Penn State University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Health and Human Performance at Concordia University of Chicago. His research interests include reducing obesity via physical activity and the use of exercise as medicine. He is U.S. Marine Corps infantry combat veteran, an experienced health and physical education teacher, multi-sport coach, and personal trainer for athletes of all ages, as well as the former strength and conditioning coach for Franklin and Marshall College. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding, snowboarding, golf, basketball, and being outdoors with his family.
Chris Curran ’15, Ph.D. (Lecture) Chris Curran is a biomechanist for the Minnesota Twins. He received his Ph.D. in Bioenergetics and Exercise and M.S. in Kinesiology from East Carolina University and his B.S. in Exercise Science from Grove City College. His research interests include injury prevention and performance optimization in elite athletes. He was the first biomechanist for the Texas Rangers, on the board of directors for the American Baseball Biomechanics Society, and expanded sports science data throughout all levels of the Minnesota Twins, contributing the to the rise of the Twins’ prospect ranking from 19th to 2nd. Additionally, he was the founder of both the Exercise Science Club and Exercise Science Symposium at Grove City College. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outside with his wife and two children and escaping to the beach or mountains of North Carolina.
Colin Champ, M.D., CSCS (Lecture) Colin Champ is an oncologist at Allegheny Health Network and an associate professor at Drexel College of Medicine. He received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research interests include the impact of appropriately dosed exercise and nutrition on cancer outcomes, survivorship, and overall health. His greatest accomplishments include authorship of three books and 76 publications, having two kids, and being able to do a one-armed pull-up. In his free time, he enjoys taking walks with his wife and kids, reading nonfiction, writing, cooking, masonry, and resistance training.