Course Instructors

Stephen W. Farrell, Ph.D.

Dr. Farrell received a doctorate from Texas Woman’s University in 1996 with a major emphasis in Exercise Physiology and a secondary emphasis in Nutrition. His M.S. (Exercise Physiology) and B.S. (Physical Education) degrees were earned at the University of South Carolina and Springfield College, respectively.

Employed by The Cooper Institute for the past 24 years, his current position is Director of Professional Education for the Division of Education. He is also responsible for updating course content, manuals, and slide presentations for all of our workshops. Dr. Farrell has teaching responsibilities both here in Dallas and worldwide, and has conducted several workshops for all branches of the U.S. military, as well as many federal and state law enforcement agencies.

On numerous occasions he served as Workshop Director for the American College of Sports Medicine Exercise Test Technologist and Health Fitness Instructor certification courses. He has been a lead author or co-author on more than 15 peer-reviewed research publications, and has presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine on numerous occasions. Dr. Farrell currently holds the position of chair of The Cooper Institute’s Review Board (IRB), which reviews and approves all proposed research studies and also serves as a consultant for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

A former competitive runner with racing distances and PR’s ranging from 800 meters (1 minute 58 seconds) to half-marathon (1 hour, 17 minutes), he is still an avid exerciser, and enjoys cycling, in-line skating and weight training.

Roger Reynolds, M.A.

Mr. Reynolds is the Director of Contract Relations for the Division of Education at The Cooper Institute in Dallas , Texas . Roger has over 35 years experience in the health and fitness industry and for the past 25 years has served on the professional staff at The Cooper Institute.

Roger has been directly responsible for providing consulting services, fitness certification training and contract relations with national and international clients. Roger has assisted corporate, military, law enforcement, educational, clinical, special operations units and athletic organizations in the design, development and implementation of fitness, wellness, and staff certification programs.

Roger received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Health and Physical Education, and is a certified instructor for American College of Sports Medicine. He has provided fitness certification leadership to over 100,000 personal trainers worldwide and over 8,000 military instructors. He has co-authored articles in research journals and has written numerous articles for local, state and national media publications.

He has also appeared on local, state and national radio and television broadcasts thought out his career. He is a nationally recognized speaker having delivered over 2000 lectures and presentations for professional and general audiences.

Karyn Hughes, M.Ed.

Ms. Hughes is an Associate Director of Education and Certification and Supervisor of designated Instructional Staff. She is Internship Supervisor for Education and Chair of E-learning and Long Distance Education.

She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas in Kinesiology and a Masters Degree in Education with a major in Psychology of Motor Learning from University of North Texas. Her previous work experience includes Director of Health & Fitness for Texas Instruments, Director of Operations for MOBILEFITNESS, Inc. and a high school teacher and coach.

Ms. Hughes has also enjoyed entrepreneurial endeavors including establishing Better Body in 1984, a Personal Training company and initiating the aerobics program for Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. She currently conducts health and fitness seminars with a faith based focus called For His Majesty.

Gina Cortese-Shipley, M.S.

Mrs. Cortese-Shipley has an M.S. in Exercise Physiology from Texas A & M University and a B.S. in Exercise Science and Health and Wellness from Washington State University.

Her responsibilities include providing instruction in a wide variety of health and wellness areas and developing curriculum for workshops for health and fitness professionals. Ms. Cortese has been actively involved in the wellness field serving as a speaker for many educational series, health conferences, and certification courses; authoring articles pertaining to health and exercise published both locally and nationally and advising student interns.

Prior to joining our team, Ms. Cortese served as Exercise Physiology Department Supervisor for the Baylor Tom Landry Center where she worked with medical professionals conducting physiologic assessments and providing wellness enhancement through lifestyle intervention.

Stephanie Espinosa, M.S.

Ms. Espinosa has been with the Institute since September 2002. Her current duties include teaching and curriculum development for training and certification workshops for health and fitness professionals and state and federal law enforcement groups.

She previously served as Project Coordinator of the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS) at the Institute. In addition, she has developed curriculum and been a guest lecturer for multiple research programs and projects at the Institute. In her spare time Stephanie enjoys bible study, spending time with her family and friends and yoga.

She has an M.S. in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas, and her B.A. in Psychology and Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University. She is also a Certified Wellness Coach from the American College of Sports Medicine