Meet Our Team
Christopher Barakat
Published Scientist, Educator, Coach, Natural Bodybuilder
As a human performance scientist, Chris has investigated advanced strength training techniques, different velocity based training regimens, how autoregulating exercise selection may improve the adaptive training response, and more.
Chris currently teaches nutritional supplements at the undergraduate level and has previously taught exercise and nutrition courses as well. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Athletics Training and Master’s of Science in exercise and nutritional sciences.
He likes to share his passion for health optimization and educate as many people expanding well beyond the formal academic setting. He has coached athletes of all levels to attain their best physique through Competitive Breed.
In his free time, Chris loves spending time outdoors and connecting with nature's beauty.
Serdar Tuncali
Published Scientist, Cancer Researcher
Serdar Tuncali is a science-based fitness enthusiast. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Pharmacy and a Master’s of Science in Clinical Research Management. His day job is researching genetic aspects of cancer, but he is passionate about the science of health and fitness.
Serdar is a former amateur soccer player and a big soccer fan. In 2017, after a few failed attempts to lose weight, Serdar has decided to approach his weight problem scientifically. As a result, he lost 47 pounds and transformed his body with a science-based approach.
You can reach him on his website, Nerd Getting Fit or on Instagram.
Dr. Josh Maher
Published Scientist, Microbiome Researcher, Powerlifter
Josh Maher has a PhD in Food Science with emphasis in the areas of food safety and applied microbiology. Previously, he earned a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences where he gained expertise in the areas of probiotics and the human microbiome, specifically their impact on human health and the development of disease.
He has spent his career publishing scientific articles, lecturing, and presenting research in the areas of pathogenic diseases, food safety, and human health.
He is a recreational powerlifter, competitive strongman, woodworker, and gardener. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids.
Dr. Brian Grant
Physical Therapist, Weight Loss Specialist, and Writer
Dr. Brian Grant, PT, DPT CSCS is a practicing Physical Therapist in an orthopedic setting, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and natural physique athlete.
He owns and operates a small business at DrBrianGrant.com where he mentors clients regarding weight training and nutritional practices for the purpose of physical development. Additionally, he authors articles on related topics at his site.
Brian began taking natural bodybuilding seriously as a means to satisfy his competitive drive and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
In his spare time, Brian enjoys watching The Office, taking long walks, and spending time with his German shepherd, Duke.
Dr. Mike Ruscio
Doctor, Clinical Researcher, and Author
Michael Ruscio is a doctor, clinical researcher and best-selling author whose practical ideas on healing chronic illness have made him an influential voice in functional and alternative medicine.
His work has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals and he speaks at integrative medical conferences across the globe.
Dr. Ruscio also runs an influential website and podcast at DrRuscio.com, as well as his clinical practice located in northern California.
Dr. Tanei Ricks
Published Scientist, Educator, Researcher
Dr. Tanei Ricks is a bio-organic chemistry PhD with expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, microbiology, and biochemistry.
In 2017, Dr. Ricks graduated with his doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He also attended Augusta University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in chemistry with a biology minor in 2012.
He’s currently interested in scientific communications and is the creator of hackorganicchemistry.com. His research interests include lipid signaling mechanisms and enzyme inhibition in eukaryotic cells. In his spare time, Dr. Ricks enjoys improving his own health via lifting weights and talking about how to use science practically via social media.
Dr. Kasey Orvidas
Doctor of Psychology, Nutrition Coach
Dr. Kasey Orvidas holds a PhD in Psychology from North Carolina State University where she studied the impact of growth mindset on engagement in healthy behaviors—such as healthy eating and exercise.
In addition to her doctoral-level training, she is also a certified nutrition coach and has worked with hundreds of individuals to help them change their health behaviors and achieve their health and fitness goals.
Her background in health behavior coaching provides a unique perspective to her psychology research; as she has been able to employ findings from her own research to her clients to help them excel. Kasey has experience both teaching and performing a variety of research skills, such as data analysis, research study design, intervention development, and motivational interviewing.
Outside of her work, Kasey is passionate about traveling, good food, and lifting heavy weights.
Dr. Eugene K. Choi, MD
Board-Certified Radiologist, Published Researcher, Crossfitter
Dr. Eugene Choi is a body and interventional radiologist and current chair of the Department of Radiology at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles.
He graduated with Phi Beta Kappa, Cum Laude, and Sigma Xi research honors and a biology degree from Princeton University. He spent a dedicated year as a postdoctoral molecular biology research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He was also awarded a Fulbright scholarship which was used to fund a 1-year educational exchange program with South Korea. He completed his medical studies at Cornell Medical College and subsequently completed his residency and fellowship training at UCLA.
He is an author of over thirty publications in peer-reviewed international journals in a variety of topics in abdominal imaging and gastrointestinal nonvascular intervention. His clinical expertise includes advanced body and oncology imaging and nonvascular image-guided procedures.
In his spare time, he enjoys Crossfitting, running, and spending time with his young family.
Tyler Clinard
Researcher, PharmD Candidate
Tyler Clinard is a 4th year pharmacy student at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. His expected graduation date is May of 2020, after which time he plans to pursue a career as an infectious disease specialist. He also graduated from Austin Peay State University in 2016 with a bachelors of science in chemistry.
His research interests are in antimicrobial stewardship and zoonotic infections. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his mini dachshund Charlie and participating in his local men's softball league.
Dr. Aylia Mohammadi
Scientist, Speaker, PhD
Aylia is a scientist, speaker, and entrepreneur with a natural curiosity and drive to understand how we tick.
She obtained her PhD in Biological Physics from the University of Toronto at the Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, and subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital.
As a systems-level thinker, Aylia values our unique biological, social, behavioral and psychological determinants of diet, and how these key drivers of health may interact and change over time. Through her work as the Founder and Scientific Director of a personalized nutrition company, Genotique, she helps people find nourishment and thrive while enjoying the pleasures of food and not sacrificing quality of life.
Not surprisingly, her favourite moments are shared around the table with the people dear to her enjoying a great meal together. She also enjoys savoring a great cup of coffee in the quiet of the morning, and shocking people at the gym with how many pull-ups she can do.
Dr. Dennis Bojrab II, MD
Board-Certified Otolaryngologist
Dr. Dennis Bojrab II, MD, is a board-certified Head and Neck Surgeon who is also completing a fellowship in otology and lateral skull base surgery. His focus is on hearing, balance, and skull base tumors.
Dr Bojrab II graduated with his Doctor of Medicine degree from Michigan State University in 2013. He then went on to complete residency in Otolaryngology at Wayne State University and is currently working at the Michigan Ear Institute.
His interests outside of medicine include medical disability and strength training in men/women over the age of 50-60. Back and shoulder issues are the number one reasons for disability in his field, which is what led him to start lifting.
Jessie Hoffman, PhD
PhD in Nutritional Sciences, Registered Dietitian, Assistant Professor at Winthrop University, Researcher of Human Nutrition
Jessie has a PhD in Nutritional Sciences and is a Registered Dietitian, Assistant Professor, and researcher in the field of human nutrition. Her dietetic and research expertise are in gastrointestinal conditions and the gut microbiome.
Additionally, Jessie is passionate about scientific and nutritional science education, and does so regularly through social media.
From breaking down nutrition science to busting common fitness and nutrition myths, she strives to empower individuals to become experts on their own bodies.
Astrid Naranjo, RD
Registered Dietitian, Online Nutrition Coach
Astrid Naranjo is a Clinical Dietitian and has a master’s degree in Nutrition & Dietetics Practice from Bond University (Australia) and a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition & Dietetics from the Central University of Venezuela. She specializes in women’s health, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), sustainable fat loss, binge eating, creating healthier relationships with food, and overall well-being.
Astrid currently works as a clinical dietitian and as an online nutrition coach at Biolayne, LLC. She also posts daily educational content including tips, advice, weekly interviews with thought leaders in the fitness industry including Alan Aragon, Eric Helms, Bill Campbell, Mike Israetel, Layne Norton, and James Krieger, to her 80,000 social media followers.
Previously, she split her time between creating and revising the course curriculum at the Clean Health Fitness Institute and worked as a clinical dietitian in the Southport Private Hospital on the Gold Coast (Australia).