Team Bio

The lead researcher, Gabrielle Salvatore, is a master's student in the exercise and sport psychology area in the Department of Kinesiology at Temple University. She will be superbly assisted by undergraduate research assistant Giovanna Salvatore and graduate student Haley Knotts, also a master's student in the exercise and sport psychology program. They are mentored by Michael Sachs, a long time professor in the Department of Kinesiology.

Michael Sachs

Michael Sachs is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, College of Public Health, at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. His bachelor’s degree in psychology is from Union College (NY), and he has two master’s degrees – one in general experimental psychology from Hollins College (VA) and one in counseling psychology from Loyola University (MD). He received his Ph.D. in sport psychology from Florida State University. Michael is associate editor of Psychology of Running and coeditor of Running as Therapy: An Integrated Approach, and co-wrote The Total Sports Experience for Kids: A Parents' Guide to Success in Youth Sports. He is a Co-Editor of the Directory of Graduate Programs in Applied Sport Psychology, in its 11th edition and published by AASP (the Association for Applied Sport Psychology). He has written or co-authored numerous book chapters, academic articles on various topics within exercise and sport psychology, and articles on the psychology of running in popular publications. His research interests focus upon exercise psychology, particularly motivation and adherence, excusercise, exercise addiction, and the psychology of running. Michael is a Past-President of both AASP and Division 47, the Society for Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, of the American Psychological Association (APA). He is a Certified Consultant, Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Michael enjoys exercising, particularly running and swimming, and has run two marathons.

Haley Knotts

Haley Knotts is a master's student at Temple University in the Psychology of Movement Program. She is originally from Whiteford, Maryland. She earned her bachelor's degree in exercise physiology from Slippery Rock University in 2016 and plans to apply for her PhD in the near future. Her research interests are motivation and adherence to exercise in special populations and using exercise as therapy.

G Salvatore

Giovanna Salvatore is an undergraduate student at Temple University studying psychology. She is currently interning at a social service agency where she oversees clients as a behavior consultant. Giovanna is in her junior year and hopes to eventually obtain a PhD in clinical psychology.

Gabrielle Salvatore

Gabrielle Salvatore is a graduate student at Temple University studying sport and exercise psychology. In 2016, she received her BS in Kinesiology from Temple University. She is currently applying to doctoral programs. Her research interests include exercise psychology, health promotion interventions, quality of life, and mental health.

Gabrielle is the first student from Temple University's College of Public Health to attempt crowdfunding as a way to offset the cost of her master's thesis.