Alex Cao, currently a second-year Resident Physician in the University of South Florida Anesthesiology Residency Program, earned a B.S. in Food and Nutrition Science at Florida State University (2019), an M.S. in Medical Sciences at University of South Florida (2020), and an M.D. in Medicine at Louisiana State University (2024). While at FSU, he worked in the Textile Testing Lab under Dr. Meredith McQuerry, contributing to research on the performance of disposable and reusable medical gowns.

Heather Wright is currently Demand Planner at Recom in Deerfield Beach FL. She completed her B.S. in Retail Merchandising and Product Development with minors in International Affairs and Business from FSU in 2018. Heather was an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. McQuerry from 2017-2018. In the textile labs, she conducted research on ergonomic improvement for firefighter turnout suits especially focused on uniform design advancements for female firefighters. Heather also contributed to a student-led research paper for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). 

Alyssa Guia, currently a Jewelry Buyer and Product Developer at Starboard Group in Miami, FL, earned her B.S. in Retail Merchandising and Product Development in 2017. While at Florida State University, she worked as an undergraduate technician in the Textile Testing Lab, contributing to industry research projects. Her work included facilitating wear trials with local firefighters and athletes, as well as developing and distributing a nationwide questionnaire to fire stations and analyzing the results. 

Delaney Hanson is currently an Assistant Merchant for Vertical Brands at Dicks Sporting Goods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She completed her B.S. in Retail Entrepreneurship and Product Development in 2023. From 2021-2023, she worked in the Textile Testing Lab and ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® as an Undergraduate Research Assistant, operating the ANDI Manikin and performing lab tests to determine the performance of samples.

Brooke Tyler, current Senior Materials Developer at Fanatics in Tampa, FL, completed her B.S. in Retail Merchandising and Product Development in 2019 and her M.S. in Textiles and Apparel Entrepreneurship in 2020. While at FSU, she worked in the Textile Testing Lab as a Research Assistant from 2017-2020. In the Textile Testing Lab, she assisted with research projects and industry testing focused on textile applications, modifications, and durability. 

Madeline Poley-Bogan earned her B.S in Retail Entrepreneurship (2022) and M.S in Retail and Textile Entrepreneurship (2023) at Florida State University. From 2021-2023, she worked in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® and Textile Testing Lab, serving as a research assistant and later lab manager. In these roles, she contributed to research aimed at improving physiological comfort, ergonomic mobility, and garment fit for first responders, military personnel, healthcare workers, and athletes.

Emily Rodriguez is an undergraduate student at Florida State University who plans to graduate with a degree in Athletic Training in 2029. She joined Dr. McQuerry’s lab as an undergraduate researcher, where she contributes to ongoing projects in textile performance and comfort testing. Emily has also earned an Associate of Arts degree from Miami-Dade College. 

Elle Orchard is a sophomore majoring in Retail Entrepreneurship in the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. She is currently working with Dr. McQuerry through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and is expected to graduate in May 2028. This year marks the beginning of her involvement in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® and the Textile Testing Lab, where she has already discovered a strong passion for textile research. Elle plans to use this experience to shape the direction of her future career. 

Mark Pachowicz is a senior at Florida State University, graduating in the spring with a Commercial Entrepreneurship degree. He works as a Banquet Captain at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and began working in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® in August under Dr. McQuerry. Previously, he gained experience in the Textile Testing Lab, conducting quality assurance on apparel through physical, chemical, comfort, and performance testing.

Caroline Symons is currently an undergraduate lab assistant in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab® and Textile Testing Lab at Florida State University. Caroline assists in the labs by operating testing equipment including the ANDI Manikin, collecting and synthesizing test subject data, and regularly conducting inventory checks on lab materials. She is working toward a B.S. in Retail Entrepreneurship with a minor in Digital Media Communications.