• Role: Doctoral Student (Third Year)

• Google Scholar

Karly grew up in the Bay Area (California) and completed her B.S. in Psychology at the University of Idaho. She began working in the PAL Laboratory in January 2023 as an undergraduate student before starting her graduate training at the University of Idaho in August 2024. In August 2025, Karly transferred to Auburn University to continue her graduate training. Karly is interested in better understanding the intersection between emotion, motivation, and health-related behavior, and has been conducting research to determine how it affects mental health both in the lab and ecological settings. Karly is currently in her third year as a Ph.D. student in Kinesiology.

• Role: Doctoral Student (First Year)

• Google Scholar

Mathew grew up in Pigeon Forge, TN, and completed a double major in Kinesiology and Psychology at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. While pursuing his master's at Auburn University in 2025, he began working in the PAL Lab to receive advanced training in quantitative research. From there, he was awarded a Dean's Doctoral Research Fellowship to pursue a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Auburn University beginning in Fall 2026. Mathew's research investigates the physiological and neural mechanisms linking affective experience to physical activity. Specifically, he is examining how affective responses to physical activity influence participation and long-term adherence. His long-term goal is to better understand how physical activity impacts physical and mental health, as well as neurocognitive function.

• Role: Doctoral Student (First Year)

• Google Scholar

Salim earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sport Teaching from Sakarya University before completing an M.S. in Health and Kinesiology (specializing in Exercise Psychology) at Purdue University. His master's research used EEG/ERPs to explore the cognitive and emotional dimensions of physical activity, focusing specifically on how brief mindfulness induction combined with moderate-intensity aerobic exercise impacts emotional reactivity. Beginning in Fall 2026, Salim joined Auburn University’s Ph.D. program in the School of Kinesiology. He was awarded a Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship to support his Ph.D. at Auburn. As a member of the PAL Lab, he plans to expand his research line by using EEG/ERPs to investigate the affective outcomes of resistance training to inform its adoption and utility to improve mental health.

• Role: Master's Student (First Year)

• Google Scholar

Katherine grew up in Upstate New York but has spent most of her life in Hot Springs, AR. She completed a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Biology from Hendrix College in 2024 and is currently working toward an M.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Exercise Psychology and Motor Behavior. Before joining the PAL Lab in 2026, Katherine conducted neuroimaging and biomechanics research with individuals with developmental disabilities. Her research interests include using psychophysiological and self-report measures to better understand why individuals engage in active or sedentary behavior and the relationship between physical activity behavior and mental health, with the ultimate goal of developing interventions that are informed by both mechanistic understanding and individual experience.