Research Team

Stephanie G. B. Sullivan

D.C., Ph.D. - CCR Director

Stephanie G. B. Sullivan, DC, PhD
Associate Vice President of Research and Director, Dr. Sid E. Williams Center for Chiropractic Research Life University

Dr. Stephanie Sullivan is a scientist and chiropractor whose work focuses on advancing human resilience and deciphering the mechanisms of action for chiropractic care. Dr. Sullivan is the associate vice president of research and director of the Dr. Sid E. Williams Center for Chiropractic Research (CCR) at Life University, where she works with her team and collaborators to advance the center's mission-driven research.

Dr. Sullivan earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life University and holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the Biomedical and Health Sciences Institute at the University of Georgia. Her professional background includes a career in banking and marketing before she decided to return to school for research and chiropractic studies. Leveraging her past expertise, Dr. Sullivan has worked to propel the CCR forward, conducting impactful research studies, and disseminating valuable information through various media channels, such as presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and open-access venues.

Dr. Sullivan's research currently focuses on brain-based and autonomic changes following chiropractic care. She is particularly interested in exploring the role of chiropractic care in fostering stress resilience among active duty and veteran military service members and first responders. Dr. Sullivan's research portfolio extends to developing the Well-being and Health Expression Evaluation List (WHEEL) and establishing a research-based learning healthcare community.

Outside of her research commitments and university support endeavors, Dr. Sullivan enjoys spending quality time with her family, participating in outdoor activities, and working with her husband on their farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Contact:
770-426-2632
Stephanie.Sullivan@life.edu
Curriculum Vitae

Brent Russell

MS, D.C. - Research Faculty

Dr. Russell received a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1983 from Life University and a master’s degree in 2011 from Georgia State University (Exercise Science, Biomechanics Concentration.) As a professor at Life University, he teaches the courses Introduction to Research Methods and Selected Topics in Biomechanics. The majority of his time is devoted to biomechanics-related research.

Research Interests:

Biomechanical outcomes measures of chiropractic care

Recent publications & conference presentations:

Russell BS, Hosek RS, Hoiriis KT, Drake ED. A case study involving Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia and Bilateral Vestibular Hypofunction: balance, gait, and eye movement, before and after multimodal chiropractic care. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2019;18(2):144-54.
Minicozzi SJ, Russell BS. Increased low back pain in performance of a pelvic tilt maneuver: a short report of 2 cases. Journal of the Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists. 2019;16(1):3-17.
Russell BS, Wynd SE, Hosek RS, Owens EF, Hoiriis KT. Rotational kinematics of supine cervical spine manipulation: a pilot study [abstract]. Congress of the World Federation of Chiropractic and European Chiropractors’ Union, March 2019.
Owens EF, Hosek RS, Russell BS. Mechanical properties of a thoracic spine mannequin with variable stiffness control. Association of Chiropractic Colleges’ Research Agenda Conference (ACC-RAC), March 2019.
Russell BS, Hoiriis KT, Hosek RS. Walking gait before and after chiropractic care following fifth metatarsal fractures: a single case kinetic and kinematic study. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2018;17(2):106-16.
Owens EF, Russell BS, Hosek RS, Sullivan SGB, Dever LL, Mullin LE. Changes in adjustment force, speed, and direction factors in chiropractic students after 10 weeks undergoing standard technique training. Journal of Chiropractic Education. 2017;32(1):3-9.
Hoiriis KT, Russell BS. Case report: a patient with low back pain and somatic referred pain concomitant with intermittent claudication in a chiropractic practice. Topics in Integrative Health Care. 2014;5(1):ID 5.1004.
Russell BS, Hoiriis KT, Guagliardo J. Correlation between student performances on course level integrated clinical skills examinations and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations in a chiropractic college program. Journal of Chiropractic Education. 2012 Fall;26(2);138-45.
Russell BS, Muhlenkamp KA, Hoiriis KT, DeSimone CM. Measurement of lumbar lordosis in static standing posture, with and without high-heeled shoes. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine. 2012;11(3):145-53.

Contact:
770-426-2641
BRussell@life.edu
Curriculum Vitae

Ronald Hosek

MPH, D.C., Ph.D - Senior Research Scientist

Ron Hosek has worked in research, both basic and applied since his undergraduate days. This work has been directed primarily in the medical and chiropractic fields but has included projects in many other diverse areas as well. He served on the research faculty of Life University through most of the 1980s, serving as department chair from 1983 to 1986. Prior to coming to Life, he served as Research Director for the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Since leaving the Life faculty, he has been in the private practice of chiropractic and has worked as a consultant, focusing mainly on projects involving internet database and website creation. Dr. Hosek holds a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University, a DC degree from Life and an MPH in epidemiology and biostatistics from Emory University.

Contact:
770-426-2641
Ronald.Hosek@life.edu
Curriculum Vitae

Johnathan H. Moore

Ph.D. - Research Scientist

Contact:
O: 678-331-4471
Johnathon.moore@LIFE.edu

Emily Drake

Senior Manager- Grants and Clinical Trials

Emily Drake has served in various roles within the Dr. Sid E. Willams Center for Chiropractic Research since 2016 and currently is the Senior Manager of Grants and Clinical Trials. Within this role, she works to expand the department’s portfolio by seeking funding opportunities and providing support to the research teams. She also assists with the implementation of the department’s clinical trials and manages their success by implementing effective organizational strategies. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology from Life University and a Master of Science in Human Performance-Clinical from Liberty University.

Curriculum Vitae

Contact:
O: 770-426-2636 x1635
EDrake@LIFE.edu

Kate Hayes

Technical Research Scientist

Kate Hayes has been engaging with data since her undergraduate career. She earned her Bachelor of Physics from the University of North Georgia where she focused on astronomy. Following her passion for learning, she attended Vanderbilt to enhance test methods for radiation-hardened semiconductor devices. She graduated with a master’s in electrical engineering.

After formal education, Kate served as the Tennessee Dept of Agriculture’s metrologist. She tested and enforced the state’s legal weights and measures for accuracy and traceability to National and International Standards. Her heavy use of statistics in the metrology field prompted an intentional pursuit of a data science and analytics career. The experience of data analysis utilizing Excel and Python Kate gained over the years is now benefiting the CCR. Joining the CCR team in 2021, Kate serves as the Technical Research Analyst and participates with various projects. When not crunching data, Kate enjoys mountain biking, hiking, and reading

Contact:
O: 678-331-4405
Kate.Hayes@LIFE.edu