MEET THE TEAM

  • Dr. Hollerbach is an Associate Scientist at NDRI-USA and SSIC.

    She received her Ph.D. in Exercise Science from Kansas State University and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Skidmore College under the direction of Dr. Denise Smith where she focused on cardiovascular disease in the fire service.

    She is Tactical Strength & Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F) certified through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

    Dr. Hollerbach has extensive experience working with the fire service on a number of federally funded firefighter studies. She has contributed to the validation of fire department physical ability tests and has extensive experience as a Candidate Physical Ability Test proctor.

    Dr. Hollerbach has an interest in firefighter health in general and physical fitness and health specifically, given her background as a former firefighter and fire training instructor.

  • Dr. Haddock completed graduate work in Clinical Psychology and Statistics and Research Methodology from the University of Memphis, Applied Statistics at the Pennsylvania State University, and Data Science and Business Intelligence at Rockhurst University.

    Dr. Haddock is an Accredited Professional Statistician (PStat®) with the American Statistical Association and a Fellow with The Obesity Society (FTOS).

    Dr. Haddock has published over 230 scientific articles, primarily focusing on first responder, military, and veteran's issues. He is also a decorated military veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force on active duty and as an active Reserve officer.

    Much of Dr. Haddock’s scientific career has focused on improving the health of our nation’s first responders including the military and the fire service.

  • Dr. Poston is the CEO and a Senior Scientist at NDRI-USA and SSIC.

    As a scientist with a family history in both the fire service and the military, he has a passion for addressing health issues among first responders.

    Dr. Poston has graduate degrees in the behavioral sciences (University of California, Santa Barbara) and epidemiology (University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, School of Public Health). He completed postdoctoral fellowships in Behavioral Health Psychology (Wilford Hall Medical Center) and in Cardiovascular Health (American Hospital Association Health Forum). His research focuses primarily in the areas of obesity, physical activity, cardiovascular disease prevention with an emphasis on minority populations, and military and first-responder health.

    He has been a principal investigator or co-investigator on several firefighter physical ability test projects.

  • Blake Skola currently manages the social media pages for the Center for Military & Veterans Health Research and the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research.

    He has assisted with many other projects, including leading the Army PRT group for the ATHIS study at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

    He joined the fire service in 2009 and currently works as a Firefighter/EMT for the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District, where he is a member of the Health & Safety and Professional Development committees. He is also an instructor at the fire academy and is a certified Peer Fitness Trainer.

    He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2001 and currently holds the rank of Sergeant First Class. SFC Skola spent 15 months in Iraq in 2004-2005 with the 428th Transportation Company, whose mission was to provide security escorts for supply convoys. His current duty assignment is Senior Drill Sergeant with A Company, 3/378th Battalion. Awards and decorations include Warrior Leaders Course Honor Graduate, Drill Sergeant School Honor Graduate, Fort Knox Iron Professional, 1/354th Battalion Best Warrior, 95th Division Drill Sergeant Of The Year, Gold German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, Bronze Excellence in Competition Rifleman's Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge.