Meet Our Team

Melissa Witman, PhD
Principal Investigator

Dr. Witman joined the University of Delaware in 2015 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology. She became interested in the field of Exercise Physiology as a collegiate runner and cross country skier at St. Lawrence University. As a result, she pursued her Master’s degree at the University of New Hampshire under the mentorship of Dr. David Edwards and specialized in the cardiovascular responses to exercise.

Following two years as an Exercise Science Instructor and Academic Advisor at the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Witman headed west to the University of Utah for her Doctoral degree. Under the mentorship of Dr. Russell Richardson in the Utah Vascular Research Laboratory, she studied the relationships between vascular function, exercise-induced hyperemia, and the role of oxidative stress in patients with heart failure and heart transplant recipients. Dr. Witman stayed in Utah for her Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center where she continued to study those with severe heart failure, including those that have received a left-ventricular assist, in addition to healthy aging and other chronic diseases.

Currently, Dr. Witman’s work continues to focus on the vasculature and how this changes throughout the lifespan and with various chronic diseases in hopes of improving overall health and quality of life. When not in the laboratory, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, skiing, hiking, and almost any other outdoor activity.

Research Associates

Krista Szymanski, MS

Krista is a Research Associate in the Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Research lab. She earned a BS in Exercise Science with minors in Strength & Conditioning and Psychology from the University of Delaware in 2019. She then earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology also from the University of Delaware in 2020 where she discovered her passion for chronic disease management and patient care. She is also a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine which she implemented into working within Phase I, II, and III cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs from 2020-2022 in Delaware and Maryland.

Her research interests include the effects of physical activity on cardiovascular functioning as well as preventative medicine. Her interests outside of work include going to the gym, going to the beach, and playing with dogs.

Graduate Students

Evan Ciecko, BS

Evan Ciecko is a recent graduate from the University of Delaware, earning her Bachelors of Science in Honors Health Behavior Science with a minor in Psychology. He is a member of the executive board for the student athlete advisory committee. He is active in advocacy as the chair for HenMinded (an organization for Student Athlete Mental health), and a UDance Representative for the team. He is excited to see how cardiovascular research intersects with both his health behavior science studies and involvement within athletics. He has a passion for coaching swimming, and in his free time he loves skimboarding, paddleboarding, and swimming at the beach. He will be staying on in the lab to complete his Masters of Science in Applied Physiology under Dr. Melissa Witman.

Alexs Matias, MS

Alexs is a PhD student that joined the lab in Summer of 2022. Alex did his undergraduate studies in upstate NY at Skidmore College, where he graduated in 2018 with a degree in Health & Exercise Science. His undergraduate thesis investigated the combined effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and heat stress on markers of blood pressure and aerobic exercise performance. He then completed his MS in the Kinesiology Department at the
University of Massachusetts at Amherst in the summer of 2021, where he validated the reproducibility of a novel biomarker of mitochondrial content using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). His research interests primarily revolve around understanding the mechanisms behind cardiometabolic dysfunction in various diseased states and promising therapies.

Undergraduate Students

Sophia Coba-Horvath

Sophia is a rising junior in Biological Sciences with a minor in Educational Studies. She recently joined the lab as an undergraduate assistant and a Summer Fellow. She is an active member in the Blue Hen Leadership Program, Puppy Raisers of the University of Delaware, Project Sunshine, and a panhellenic sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma. During her freetime, she loves to read, travel, volunteer at the foodbank, and help raise Seeing Eye puppies for The Seeing Eye. Following graduation, she has two goals: a short-term goal and a long-term goal. Her short-term goal is to enter the field of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and gain hands-on experience. From there, she aims to work my way up to a position in healthcare management.

Ryan Disko

Ryan is an undergraduate honors student studying Exercise Science with a minor in Medical Diagnostics. He recently joined the lab as an undergraduate assistant and a Summer Fellow. He is passionately dedicated to serving his community as an EMT at the University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit. In his free time, Ryan enjoys intramural sports, reading, outdoor excursions, and watching films. Ryan will be graduating in May 2025 with plans to continue his education and apply to Physician’s Assistant school.

Grant Maxa

Grant is an undergraduate student studying Human Physiology with a minor in Business Administration. Along with joining the lab as an undergraduate assistant, he dedicates his time volunteering at Nemours Children’s Hospital, serves as a tutor for the Office of Academic Enrichment and is an active member of the Theta Chi fraternity. He is also a member of the Physician Assistant and Exercise Science clubs. In Grant’s free time, he enjoys playing sports with his friends, surfing and skateboarding. After graduation in May 2026, he intends to enroll in a Physician Assistant master’s program.

Rachel Hughes

Rachel is an undergraduate student studying Exercise Science major with a minor in Global Health. She recently joined the lab as an undergraduate assistant. She is secretary and SLT director of MedLife, which is a club that travels to underprivileged communities around the world and helps to provide them healthcare. She also enjoys participating in a womens workout club called CHAARG. In her free time Rachel likes going for runs, cooking, reading, working out at the gym, and doing any activity related to the beach.

Alumni

Meredith Blowman, BS

Meredith is a recent graduate from the University of Delaware, earning her Bachelors of Science in Medical Diagnostics from the College of Health Sciences and the Honors College. She began volunteering in the Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Research Laboratory during Spring 2023. She was a member of the Division I Women’s Rowing Team, and was involved with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Phi Delta Epsilon Pre-Medical Fraternity, and Student Government Association. In her free time, Meredith loves to cook, travel, and spend time outdoors. Following her graduation in May 2024, Meredith looks forward to applying to medical school while gaining additional experience in the healthcare field.

Michele D’Agata, PhD

Michele has graduated from the Applied Physiology program with her PhD under Dr. Melissa Witman. She earned her BS in Sport and Leisure Management with a concentration in Sport Science and Performance in May, 2018 from Eastern Connecticut State University. She completed an Undergraduate thesis where she studied the effects of exercise type and order on performance-related measures. In August, 2020, Michele earned her Master’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware. The title of her Master’s Thesis was “Racial Disparity in Peripheral Microvascular Function Assessed Throughout the Menstrual Cycle”. The title of her Doctor Dissertation was “The Effect of Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration on nocturnal blood pressure dipping, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency in young adult black women”. She will be continuing on at Yale University to complete a Post-doctoral Fellowship under Dr. Lauren A. Biwer.

Her research interests include preventative health and medicine as well as the effects of exercise on cardiovascular function and overall health. Her other interests include playing competitive soccer, coaching, working out, going to the beach, going on scenic walks, and cats.

Nicole Mellor

Nicole is an undergraduate student at the University of Delaware studying Medical Diagnostics with a Pre-Physician Assistant concentration. She has been volunteering in the University of Delaware Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Laboratory since February 2022. She also spends her time volunteering in the Emergency Department at the Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, DE as well as at the Blood Bank of Delmarva in Newark, DE. Nicole plans on graduating in May 2024 with future plans to pursue a master’s degree in a Physician Assistant program.

Mackenzie Rattigan, BS

Mackenzie is a recent graduate from the University of Delaware, earning her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science and minor in Strength and Conditioning. She joined the University of Delaware Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Laboratory as an undergraduate researcher and Summer Fellow in 2023, but she also dedicates a lot of time teaching tap at various dance studios as well as interning at Woodstown Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab. Mackenzie will be attending the University of Delaware’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program starting in June 2024.

Kayte Restaino

Kayte Restaino joined the University of Delaware as a Research Associate in the spring of 2022.  She graduated from Messiah College with a BA in Sport and Exercise Science in 2005.  After completing an internship in Dallas at the Cooper Aerobics Center, she joined the family business where she worked for her father, Tom Hall, CEO of CardioKinetics Inc. for the next 12 years.  It was there that she gained valuable knowledge in the field of exercise science and preventive medicine.  During her time at CardioKinetics, she was able to obtain a variety of work experience in corporate fitness and exercise testing; however, spent most of her time managing the company’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program.  As a result of her years there, she developed a passion for studying cardiovascular function and health.

 Currently she is also an adjunct instructor at Delaware Technical Community College, teaching Advanced Exercise Testing as well as coaching girls lacrosse at Kennett High School.  When she isn’t working she enjoys spending time with her husband Matt and two children, Rachel and Ryan.

Bray Fedele

Bray is an undergraduate student in Human Physiology with a minor in Chemistry. She has been a volunteer in the Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Research Laboratory since September 2021. Her roles include assisting with data analysis, with a specific focus on the Arterial Stiffness and Vascular Compliance in Children dataset. She is mainly interested in physical activity and its relation to vascular health as well as its correlation to overall cardiovascular health.

Upon graduation, Bray intends to continue her education in Sports Medicine. She is also a member of the social sorority Sigma Kappa, and in her free time she enjoys going to the beach and reading.

James Abu-Rahmeh

James is a current senior at the University of Delaware pursuing a BS in Human Physiology with a minor in Forensic Science. This is his first year in the Vascular Lab, however he gained an interest in lifestyle effects on vascular function through his studies in Exercise Physiology and Human Anatomy. James is a licensed EMT and has spent time working in UD’s Physical Therapy Clinic as an aide. Following graduation, he plans to continue working in the healthcare
field to gain patient care experience prior to applying to Physician Assistant programs. In his free time, James loves to play sports,  read, and do anything adventurous.

Katie Herbstritt – Undergraduate Student

Katie graduated from the University of Delaware with a BS in Sports Health. She was an undergraduate volunteer in the Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Laboratory during Spring 2022. Katie’s main role in the lab was nutritional data analysis on the WATCH project. Her interest in the Vascular Function field started after she took an Exercise Physiology class with Dr. Melissa Witman. After graduation, Katie plans to apply to Physical Therapy schools for the upcoming cycle. During her gap year, she hopes to work as a full-time physical therapy aide to gain more experience before starting school. In her free time, Katie likes to cook, hike, and spend time with her family.

Katie is now pursuing her Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree from the University of Florida.

Danika Swech, Undergraduate Student

Danika completed her BS in Exercise Science with a minor in Public Health. She was a Summer Fellow in the Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Laboratory from June – August 2021 and has been a volunteer in the lab ever since. Her role consists of NDSR meal logging data analysis for the current projects. Danika’s interest in the lab began when learning about Dr. Witman’s research in her undergraduate Exercise Physiology class. Danika presented her work at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference of the American College of Sports Medicine (MARC-ACSM) in November 2021. She was a Finalist in the Undergraduate Student competition.

Danika is also a member of the Division 1 Women’s Lacrosse team at UD and works as a Patient Care Technician at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. Upon graduation, she plans on applying to Physician Assistant school and getting more healthcare experience, while taking some time to travel!

Felicia Berube, MS

​Felicia earned a BS in Exercise and Sport Physiology with a minor in Health Studies in May 2018 from Plymouth State University. In August 2020 Felicia completed her MS in Exercise Physiology at the University of Delaware under the guidance of Dr. Melissa Witman. The title of her master’s Thesis was The Role of Sleep Metrics on Central and Peripheral Blood Pressure Values in Children.

Julia Dambly, BS

Julia Dambly graduated from the University of Delaware with a BS in Exercise Science and a minor in Biology. She was an undergraduate volunteer in the Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Laboratory from September 2019 to May 2020. Her main roles consisted of flow-mediated dilation and passive leg movement data analysis for all current research projects. Julia is currently in Medical School at Thomas Jefferson University.

Elissa Hoopes, PhD

Elissa was a PhD student in the Applied Physiology program under Dr. Melissa Witman from 2016-2020. The title of her doctoral dissertation was Sleep Variability and Cardiovascular Health in Undergraduate College Students. She earned her BS in Exercise Science from Towson University and developed her clinical background earning her M.S. from George Washington University in Clinical Exercise Physiology. She is also a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine, with experience in various rehabilitation settings. She recently finished her post-doctoral work in the Behavioral Health and Nutrition department at the University of Delaware working with Dr. Freda Patterson as of May 2023. She is now continuing her professional career as a Medical writer.

Cindy Rullo, BS

Cindy Rullo was an undergraduate researcher in the Vascular Function in Chronic Disease Laboratory from 2019-2020. Her main roles consisted of helping with dietary analysis for all of the lab’s research projects. Cindy graduated in May, 2020 with a BS in Exercise Science as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Her exposure to cardiovascular research strengthened her appreciation for patient care and diagnosis. Cindy has now earned an M.S. as a Physician Assistant from Monmouth University.

Alexandra Hirt, MPH

Alex received her BS in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware in 2016, after completing a summer fellowship in Dr. Witman’s Laboratory. During her undergraduate studies, she volunteered in Cardiac Rehab, which gave her an appreciation for Dr. Witman’s previous experiences with heart failure patients.

Alex worked in the lab as a Research Technician for 2.5 years, helping to cultivate each study in the Vascular Health and Chronic Disease Lab, and she completed her MPH PA degree at Arcadia University.