Our Team
Our team consists of dedicated professionals who are driven to make a significant impact in the field of behavioral interventions. We are united by our shared vision of promoting positive behavioral changes and improving people's well-being. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to contribute to the advancement of motivational research and the development of effective interventions that inspire positive transformations.
David E. Conroy, Ph.D., FACSM, FSBM
Bickner Chair of Kinesiology
Program Chair, Applied Exercise Science
Director, Motivation Lab
Director, Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function
Dr. Conroy is a Professor and the Bickner Chair of Kinesiology, the Program Chair for Applied Exercise Science, and the Director of the Motivation Lab and Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function at the University of Michigan. He is also an Emeritus Professor at The Pennsylvania State University. In 2014-2015, he worked at Northwestern University as a Professor of Preventive Medicine and Deputy Director for the Division of Behavioral Medicine and the Center for Behavior and Health (Institute for Public Health & Medicine). He is a Past President (2021-2022) of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.
Post-Doctoral Scholar
Allyson Tabaczynski, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral research fellow in the Motivation Lab. Ally received both her Doctorate and Masters from the University of Toronto, and her Bachelor of Science from the University of Rhode Island. Her doctoral work involved the development and evaluation of a peer-led physical activity behavior change intervention for people living with and beyond cancer. Ally's research interests include understanding the unique individual, social and environmental determinants of physical activity behavior change and maintenance, and developing scalable, theoretically grounded interventions for developing lifelong physical activity behavior change throughout adulthood.
Research Staff
Shea Boyer is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Motivation lab, working on the TRY AIM Trial. He holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Health & Exercise Science and in Microbiology from Colorado State University and is pursuing a Master of Science in Data Science from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Alyssa Cutshaw is a Clinical Research Coordinator in the Motivation Lab. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in sociology from Penn State University. She joined the Motivation Lab to gain more experience in psychological research, writing papers, and application of advanced assessment techniques. She plans on using this experience to apply to clinical psychology doctoral programs in the future. Her current research interests include examining biopsychosocial influences on mental health and behavior with interest in intervention applications that can help with adverse behaviors.
Crystal Lim is a clinical research coordinator for the TRY AIM trial in the lab. She received her master's degree in Clinical Behavioral (Psychology) from Eastern Michigan University and her bachelor's in Behavioral Science from Western Michigan University. She aspires to proceed to a clinical psychology doctoral program with her current experiences. She is interested in exploring contextual factors impacting behavioral maintenance among adults and cultural adaptations in behavioral interventions.
Ann Mehringer joined the Motivation Lab in January 2025 as the Lab Manager. She earned her Master of Science degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Clinical Trial Design and Statistical Analysis and her Bachelor of Art degree from Kalamazoo College with a dual major in Psychology and Art. She is also a certified coach through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching and a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Her interests include finding ways to help people set attainable goals, increase their self-efficacy, become more mindful, learn lifelong learning strategies, make sustainable lifestyle changes, and improve their health.
Yingjia (Belle) Liu joined the Motivation Lab as a Clinical Research Coordinator in August 2025. Her current research interest is in developing and testing intervention strategies to increase physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, and playing computer games.
Graduate Students
Melissa Siemen is a graduate student research assistant working on the TRY AIM trial and the Watch pilot in the Motivation Lab. She received her master's degree in Movement Science from the University of Michigan, her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Michigan University, and is pursuing a PhD in Movement Science at the University of Michigan. Melissa has also been certified as a clinical exercise physiologist through the American College of Sport Medicine since 2023. She is interested in better understanding how diagnostic factors and socio-ecological implications influence long-term decision making of exercise in persons with chronic disease.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Mira Fayad is a research assistant in the Motivation Lab at the University of Michigan. Mira is helping conduct research for the Therabody study and the TRY AIM study. Mira is currently a student in the Movement Science program within the School of Kinesiology. She is originally from Dearborn, MI. Mira plans to attend medical school in the future.
Megan Higley is a research assistant in the Motivation Lab at the University of Michigan. She is originally from Shelby Township, Michigan. Megan is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science. She plans to attend medical school and become a physician. Megan is helping conduct research for the Therabody study.​​​​​​
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Tej Menon is a research assistant for the TryAIM Trials in the Motivation Lab at the University of Michigan. Tej is originally from Oak Park, Illinois. Tej is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science and plans to attend medical school in the future. Tej also intends to work in public health.
Catherine Sukpraphrute is a research assistant for the sipIT Mechanism study in the Motivation Lab at the University of Michigan. She is originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Catherine is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science with a minor in Sociology of Health and Medicine. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in Public Health and then attend medical school.​​​​​​