People
Investigator
Dr. Kosaku Aoyagi
Principal Investigator
Dr. Aoyagi is a physical therapist and rehabilitation scientist. Dr. Aoyagi completed postdoctoral training at Boston University School of Medicine, where he worked with leading experts in pain research using data from one of the world’s largest cohort studies of knee osteoarthritis (OA), the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST). Dr. Aoyagi received his Ph.D. and Master of Science in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Aoyagi’s primary research focus is on multiple aspects of chronic pain experience, including central pain mechanisms, psychosocial and behavioral contributors, social determinants of health, and autonomic dysregulation. His research agenda aims to develop and test novel non-pharmacological interventions for improving symptoms of knee osteoarthritis, chronic back pain, and other chronic pain conditions by leveraging his expertise in physical therapy, clinical epidemiology, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Office: Campbell building, 312
Phone: 915-747-8215
Email: kaoyagi@utep.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Lab Leadership Team
elias rivas
Elias is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso. He graduated with his B.S. in Rehabilitation Sciences in December 2023 and is also a certified personal trainer. He has a passion for helping others improve quality of life through exercise and movement and hopes to continue learning about chronic pain and understanding the underlying mechanisms, in order to help this population as a physical therapist. Outside of the lab, he mainly enjoys spending time with family time and exercising.
Email: errivas3@miners.utep.edu
casandra barua Reyes
Casandra Barua Reyes is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She earned her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from UTEP in 2023. Being part of the lab, she would like to learn more about central pain mechanisms and learn how to help patients more efficiently with new research-based interventions. In her spare time, she enjoys running, coloring and journaling.
Email: cbarua@miners.utep.edu
Melissa Santillan
Melissa Santillan is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from the University of Houston in 2022. Melissa's interest in pain research stems from working with a variety of populations which include working in inpatient and outpatient facilities and Adaptive Athletics organizations. Melissa hopes to learn the latest information in pain research to help improve patient outcomes as a future clinician. In her free time, she enjoys running, baking, traveling, and trying new coffees and matchas.
Email: mlsantillan@miners.utep.edu
DPT Students
astrid acosta
Astrid Acosta is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) student at the University of Texas at El Paso. She earned her bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Sciences with a minor in Marketing. Astrid is passionate about understanding chronic pain mechanisms and aims to become an intentional and evidence-based clinician who helps individuals improve their quality of life through movement and education. Her interest in chronic pain research led her to join the PRIME PT Lab, where she is learning to apply current research methods to investigate central pain mechanisms. During her free time, Astrid enjoys working out and exploring new coffee shops.
Sabrina Arias
Sabrina Arias is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from UTEP in 2019. Sabrina has previously worked with various populations, such as individuals who have Parkinson's disease. She wants to dive more into research that will allow her to gain insight into central pain mechanisms and pain, and to apply this to help alleviate pain and provide a better treatment outcome for future patients. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, listening to music, and spending time with her family.
Email: sarias3@miners.utep.edu
Kaitlyn Asato
Kaitlyn Asato is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Being part of the team, she would like to bring impact, whether big or small, to patients suffering from chronic pain; learn more about central pain mechanisms; and learn how to help patients more efficiently with new interventions. She looks forward to thinking crtically and integrating clinically-based evidence into her practice. She enjoys listening to music, explroing anything new, and spending time with her friends in her spare time.
Email: kmasato@miners.utep.edu
lauren barajas
Lauren Barajas is currently a DPT student at the University of Texas at El Paso. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from UTEP in Spring 2025. As a member of the PRIME PT Lab, she wants to continue to learn about chronic pain and the most effective interventions for treating it. She wants to contribute to helping individuals reframe their perspective on pain in a way that improves quality of life.
Email: lrbarajas@miners.utep.edu
austin blake
Austin Blake is a Doctor of Physical Therapy student in the class of 2028 at the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Science from UTEP. During his undergraduate studies, he focused on research in neuroscience but has since shifted interests into chronic pain because of the prevalence in his future profession. He is very excited to learn more about pain pathways and how it can affect people who have constant pain. Outside of the lab, Austin is a passionate soccer and basketball fan and loves spending time with friends and family.
Steven Carrasco
Steven Carrasco is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from New Mexico State University in 2022. His research goals are to contribute to the field of public health and make a positive impact through research. Steven is eager to gain valuable knowledge and skills in research methodology, data analysis, and scientific communication. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, lifting weights, and watching movies.
Email: gscarrasco@miners.utep.edu
tania castillo-munoz
Tania Castillo-Munoz is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She received her Bachelor of Science In Rehabilitation Science degree (concentration: Physical Therapy) from UTEP in 2022. She hopes that being part of the PRIME PT LAB will allow her to further expand her knowledge of research and improve her interprofessional and critical thinking skills.Tania wants to further understand pain and what better approach to take as a future clinician. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as painting and watching movies.
Email: tpcastillom@miners.utep.edu
Kavon childers
Kavon Childers is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Exercise Science from the University of Houston. His interest in chronic pain grew from working directly with patients in rehabilitation settings and seeing how pain can affect their confidence and daily lives. Through the PRIME PT Lab, Kavon hopes to learn how research can guide more effective, patient centered treatment approaches that lead to better outcomes. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and getting out to experience new things, whether it’s exploring different places or trying new food.
Email: kchilders@miners.utep.edu
Vaibhav Jaideep
Vaibhav Jaideep, a DPT student, is dedicated to expanding his knowledge and understanding of central pain mechanisms. His profound passion for unraveling the complexities of this field fuels his aspiration to make significant contributions to ongoing research. Beyond the lab, Vaibhav is an enthusiastic powerlifter and coach. He has a keen interest in pain science which drives his dedication to apply this knowledge to guide athletes through effective rehabilitation. Vaibhav earned his B.S. in Exercise Science from UT Arlington. He looks forward to making valuable contributions as a part of the team.
Email: vjaideep@miners.utep.edu
erik lopez
Erik is a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Texas at El Paso. Before entering graduate school, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science. As a research assistant with the Prime PT Lab, Erik has contributed to studies investigating the relationship between exercise, chronic pain, and knee osteoarthritis. Outside of academics, he is passionate about fitness and strength training, spending much of his free time in the gym exploring ways to optimize movement and recovery. Erik is driven by a curiosity for human performance and a commitment to helping others regain confidence in their physical abilities through evidence-based care.
Janely lugo
Janely is a DPT student at the University of Texas at El Paso. Her interest in pain research stems from her personal battle with chronic pain. This has inspired her to pursue an understanding of the multifactorial mechanisms that generate our pain experience. She wants to be a part of the development and application of non-invasive interventions that can change peoples individualized perception of pain.
Email: jlugomartinez@miners.utep.edu
daniel marquez
Daniel is currently a part of the DPT class of 2028 at the University of Texas at El Paso. Before joining the program, he graduated with a B.S in Kinesiology in May of 2023. He is intrigued by the complexity of chronic pain, and he is interested in learning all about the multifactorial disease of chronic pain. He believes it is important to learn and understand the factors associated with chronic pain in order to become a professional physical therapist that is prepared to treat the chronic pain population. In his free time, Daniel enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing sports, and listening to music.
Email: demarquez3@miners.utep.edu
alan medina
Alan Medina is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He received her Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2021. His research goals are to contribute to the field of chronic pain and fibromyalgia. Alan is eager to gain valuable knowledge and skills in central pain mechanisms treatment and education and incorporate evidence-based practice into his practice. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his dog, lifting weights & running, and trying new foods.
Email: amedina85@miners.utep.edu
isaac medina
Isaac Medina is currently a DPT student at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from UTEP in 2024. Isaac has previously worked with the geriatric population investigating differences in psychosocial factors and central pain mechanisms between Hispanics and Non-Hispanic Whites. Additionally, Isaac has seen the consequences of chronic pain within his own family and is motivated to continue to advance his understanding of pain mechanisms and contribute to evidence-based interventions that improve quality of life for those affected. Outside the lab, he enjoys spending time with family, watching basketball and football, and working out.
Email: imedina10@miners.utep.edu
Sarah Murillo
Sarah is a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). She received her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Clinical Exercise from UTEP in 2022. Sarah is interested in learning more about innovative chronic pain treatment methods and some of the multifactorial components of central pain mechanisms. In her free time, she enjoys music production, painting, weight training, and playing volleyball.
Email: sjmurillo@miners.utep.edu
chukwuemeka ojinnaka
Chukwuemeka (Emeka) Ojinnaka is currently a DPT student at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Pre-PT from the University of North Texas in 2021. Chukwuemeka's interest in pain research stems from working with a variety of patient populations which include skilled nursing, pediatric, sports rehab, and outpatient facilities. He has a special interest in chronic pain populations and, through the PRIME PT Lab, hopes to learn the latest information available in order to help future patients as a practicing clinician. In his free time, Chukwuemeka enjoys working out, photography, and making music.
Email: cojinnaka@miners.utep.edu
Master's Students
nicolas macias-esplana
Nicolas graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences degree and is now pursuing a Master of Science in Kinesiology. Nicolas joined the lab after becoming intrigued by how stimulation of the Vagus nerve may be able to remedy pain. Through working in this research lab, he hopes to learn first-hand about central pain mechanisms and to explore research that aims to reduce the chronic pain that affects so many people. He enjoys the logistics and analytical side of the lab as well as making connections with participants at the clinic. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with family, playing with his dog Blue, and powerlifting.
Email: namaciasep@miners.utep.edu
klarissa siebert
Klarissa is a Master of Public Health (MPH) student who aims to learn about the relationships between social determinants of health and chronic pain. She looks forward to applying the research done with PRIME PT towards her career as a medical provider; she also aims to apply this knowledge to her MPH thesis. Outside of her academics, Klarissa enjoys lifting weights, trying new foods, and exploring local coffee shops.
Email: ksiebert@miners.utep.edu
Undergraduate Students
Jesus Arias
Jesus is an undergraduate student majoring in Rehabilitation Sciences, with a focus on Physical Therapy. He understands the significance of chronic pain research and aims to contribute to PRIME PT research that seeks to alleviate the chronic pain experienced by many. He is acquiring practical training in cutting-edge research methodologies related to central pain mechanisms. Outside of his professional and academic life, Jesus enjoys spending time with family and friends, dancing, and acquiring new skills and knowledge
Email: jaarias5@miners.utep.edu
maryfer carrera
Maryfer is an undergraduate student majoring in Biomedical Sciences. She is interested in learning more about chronic pain research and finding better lasting solutions to provide to patients. Through the Prime PT Lab, she hopes to learn valuable research skills and grasp a better understanding of central pain mechanisms. Outside of the lab, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, binging shows, and listening to music.
Email: mcarrera6@miners.utep.edu
Sophia vazquez-henderson
Sophia is an undergraduate student majoring in Rehabilitation Sciences, aspiring to pursue a career in occupational therapy. Her research interests center on the relationship between biopsychosocial factors and chronic pain, with a focus on advancing non-pharmacological approaches to pain management. Through the PRIME PT Lab, she aims to contribute to innovative strategies that enhance the quality of life for individuals experiencing chronic pain. Outside of her academic pursuits, Sophia enjoys attending concerts, spending time with family, and engaging in arts and crafts projects.
Email: svazquezhende@miners.utep.edu
Sergio Andres (Andy) Lares
Andy is an undergraduate student in rehabilitation sciences, pursuing a career in physical therapy. Through an internship in Portugal and Spain at top professional European soccer clubs, he hopes to bring forth a different perspective on pain management and treatment. He decided to apply to the PRIME PT Lab to gain knowledge about pain in relation to psychological factors and corresponding pain management. He looks up to Dr. Aoyagi as a mentor and considers him a major reason for joining the lab, as Dr. Aoyagi has a passion for developing his students beyond the laboratory or classroom.
Email: salares@miners.utep.edu
PRIME PT Lab Alumni
-
Natalia Aviles, DPT
-
Alicia Gomez, DPT
-
Paulina Hernandez, BS
-
Gage Manriquez, DPT
-
Carlos Martinez
-
david parish, bs
-
Eric Perez, DPT
-
Layla Rodriguez, DPT
-
Roxanna Shababi, DPT
-
Alexa Solis, DPT
