Laboratory Director
The Injury Lab is directed by Alan Needle, Ph.D., ATC, CSCS, FNATA. Dr. Needle is faculty in the Department of Kinesiology and Department of Rehabilitation where he teaches in the Master of Science in Kinesiology and the Master of Science in Athletic Training programs. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training at Boston University, and his Master of Science in Exercise Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomechanics and Movement Science at the University of Delaware. He aims to understand the role of the nervous system in musculoskeletal injury and joint instability, with an emphasis on providing sports medicine clinicians tools for addressing the central nervous system in their rehabilitation efforts.
Graduate Research Assistants
Rielle Zboyovsky
Rielle is a Graduate Research Assistant and is currently enrolled in the dual Master's program in Kinesiology and Applied Data Analytics. She received her undergraduate degree in Nutrition from NC State University in 2024. She spent her gap year working as a personal trainer and honing her interests in exercise science as an intern with USA Baseball. Her research interests include workload monitoring, mental fatigue, and recovery responses in amateur baseball athletes. Her goal is to identify the relationship between the three to enhance athlete performance and longevity during a season. Outside of school, she enjoys fly fishing, weightlifting, and snowboarding.
Dylan Edwards
Dylan is a graduate student from Chattanooga, TN. She joined the injury lab in 2025 after completing her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at Appalachian State University. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program where she hopes to develop skills to incorporate more preventative care practices within high school athletics.
Undergraduate Research Assistants
Kayla Leo Stokes
Kayla joined the Injury Lab in 2025 as an undergraduate research assistant. She is acurrent Psychology major aspiring to become a Sports Psychologist. Her interests include injury & self perception as well as how this affects returning to play.
Brice Parillo
Brice Parillo is from Jamestown, North Carolina, and is an undergraduate student in the Honors Kinesiology program at Appalachian State University. His current research focuses on the effects of kinesiophobia and fear on pitching biomechanics. Brice plans to pursue a career as an orthopedic surgical physician assistant.
Interested in joining our team? Reach out via email to Dr. Needle or schedule his Office Hours to discuss your interest.