Robert Powell joined the DTC team in 2013. He is an Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology and Director of the Diabetes Exercise Center at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. He is also Faculty Coordinator/Coach of the Marshall University Rugby Club and the Marshall University Cycling Club.

Prior to his time at Marshall, Rob worked 10 years at the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute (UPDI) Manager and Researcher for community-based programs involving diabetes, obesity and physical activity. During the latter part of his time there, he worked as a diabetes educator in the primary care settings. Rob received both his MS and his PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh and holds the credentials of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), ACSM-Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP), NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and is a Licensed USA Cycling Coach.

Rob’s professional ambition is to enhance the promotion of exercise as a therapeutic modality to the diabetes population and to educate both students and healthcare professionals on the role of exercise in diabetes management. He has published and presented at various national conferences in the areas of diabetes and exercise and has written numerous articles and exercise programs on this topic.

In 2020, Rob founded Powell Fitness Solutions, LLC to provide online and in person sport and fitness coaching and programming for youth athletes (with and without diabetes). Rob provides coaching services for health/fitness and sports performance with diabetes for DTC.

Rob has a personal passion for exercise. In the warmer months, you can usually find him road cycling, mountain biking, running (mostly trail), kayaking and playing soccer. When snow falls, he likes to strap on the skis and snowshoes. However, when he is not working or playing solo, he dedicates his time to his wonderful boys, Preston and Evan.

Dr. Dessi P. Zaharieva, PhD, is an exercise physiologist specializing in blood glucose management strategies around exercise for athletes with Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed herself over 27 years ago, she holds a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and has competed internationally. Dr. Zaharieva currently leads the 4T Exercise Study, focused on exercise education for youth newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Her research helps healthcare teams integrate practical exercise guidance into routine diabetes care, empowering athletes to excel safely.

Jacob was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2005 when he was 17 in Armenia. Since his diagnosis, he has competed in the marathon, obstacle course runs, 200-mile relay run races, and triathlons. In 2018, he trekked to Mt. Everest Base Camp. After his trek, he attended DTC as a camper in Atlantic City and has been a dedicated DTC alum and ambassador ever since. Jacob studied Exercise Science at Skidmore and then went on to get his masters in Kinesiology at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Jacob recently completed his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology at Syracuse University with a research focus on heart disease risk in firefighters, police, and military service members. He now teaches at the University of Rhode Island.