DR. KRISTEN NICHOLSON
Biomechanist - Pitching Lab Director
Kristen Nicholson, PhD, joined the pitching lab staff in October 2018 as the director of the lab and lead of biomechanics research. She earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematical Science from Clemson University and her MS and PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware. Dr. Nicholson wrote her dissertation on a mathematical model for measuring scapular motion and has become an expert in upper-extremity biomechanics. While at the University of Delaware, Dr. Nicholson served as the project lead for a collaborative effort among US Figure Skating, the University of Delaware, and C-Motion (a biomechanical analysis company). The project was designed to facilitate the performance of triple and quad revolution jumps by Olympic and pre-Olympic skaters.
Dr. Nicholson has worked as a biomechanical research engineer at Nemours/A. I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. During that time, she augmented her clinical skills while developing her own research interests. She earned an ACCEL Mentored Research Development Award and subsequently secured grant funding from the Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Nicholson has a particular interest in developing non-invasive tools and methods to assess kinematics and to implement scapular kinematics in baseball pitching.
Dr. Nicholson is currently an Assistant Professor in Orthopedic Surgery at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She has over 20 academic presentations, 15 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, and a book chapter. She is looking forward to leading research in the pitching lab.
Originally from Clover, South Carolina, Dr. Nicholson now resides in Winston-Salem with her husband, Jefferson, and two children.
Biomechanist - Pitching Lab Director
Kristen Nicholson, PhD, joined the pitching lab staff in October 2018 as the director of the lab and lead of biomechanics research. She earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematical Science from Clemson University and her MS and PhD in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware. Dr. Nicholson wrote her dissertation on a mathematical model for measuring scapular motion and has become an expert in upper-extremity biomechanics. While at the University of Delaware, Dr. Nicholson served as the project lead for a collaborative effort among US Figure Skating, the University of Delaware, and C-Motion (a biomechanical analysis company). The project was designed to facilitate the performance of triple and quad revolution jumps by Olympic and pre-Olympic skaters.
Dr. Nicholson has worked as a biomechanical research engineer at Nemours/A. I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. During that time, she augmented her clinical skills while developing her own research interests. She earned an ACCEL Mentored Research Development Award and subsequently secured grant funding from the Scoliosis Research Society. Dr. Nicholson has a particular interest in developing non-invasive tools and methods to assess kinematics and to implement scapular kinematics in baseball pitching.
Dr. Nicholson is currently an Assistant Professor in Orthopedic Surgery at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She has over 20 academic presentations, 15 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, and a book chapter. She is looking forward to leading research in the pitching lab.
Originally from Clover, South Carolina, Dr. Nicholson now resides in Winston-Salem with her husband, Jefferson, and two children.
EZRA BYE
Pitching Lab Coordinator and Director of Player Development
Ezra Bye joined Wake Forest Baseball in July 2025 as the Pitching Lab Coordinator and Director of Player Development, bringing a strong background in professional pitching development and performance innovation. Before joining Wake Forest, Bye worked in pitching development roles with the Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Houston Astros.
Most recently, he served as an Assistant in Pitching Development and Analysis with the Guardians, where he worked directly with Double-A and High-A pitchers and contributed to research and player development initiatives. He previously served as Rehab Pitching Coordinator for the Dodgers, designing a velocity-based interval throwing program for surgical rehab pitchers, and held multiple roles with the Astros, including Rehab Pitching Coach, DSL Pitching Coach, and Pitching Apprentice.
Across those stops, Bye worked with advanced player development technologies such as 4D Motion, Hawkeye, Catapult, Pulse sensors, and Trackman, while also building custom tools to support rehab and performance tracking. A magna cum laude graduate of Chestnut Hill College with a degree in psychology, Bye also holds certifications in NSCA-CSCS, Precision Nutrition, Reflexive Performance Reset, and Functional Range Conditioning.
Pitching Lab Coordinator and Director of Player Development
Ezra Bye joined Wake Forest Baseball in July 2025 as the Pitching Lab Coordinator and Director of Player Development, bringing a strong background in professional pitching development and performance innovation. Before joining Wake Forest, Bye worked in pitching development roles with the Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Houston Astros.
Most recently, he served as an Assistant in Pitching Development and Analysis with the Guardians, where he worked directly with Double-A and High-A pitchers and contributed to research and player development initiatives. He previously served as Rehab Pitching Coordinator for the Dodgers, designing a velocity-based interval throwing program for surgical rehab pitchers, and held multiple roles with the Astros, including Rehab Pitching Coach, DSL Pitching Coach, and Pitching Apprentice.
Across those stops, Bye worked with advanced player development technologies such as 4D Motion, Hawkeye, Catapult, Pulse sensors, and Trackman, while also building custom tools to support rehab and performance tracking. A magna cum laude graduate of Chestnut Hill College with a degree in psychology, Bye also holds certifications in NSCA-CSCS, Precision Nutrition, Reflexive Performance Reset, and Functional Range Conditioning.
Garret Bullock, PT, DPT, DPhil
Physical Therapist and Quantitative Epidemiologist
Dr. Bullock was a 4-year letter-winner and captain of the baseball team at Wake Forest University from 2006 to 2008, before moving on to the professional ranks through 2014. Dr. Bullock received a DPT from Duke University and a Clarendon Scholar DPhil in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics from the University of Oxford. Dr. Bullock is now a member of the faculty of the Wake Forest School of Medicine and an honorary member of the United Kingdom Center for Sport, Exercise, and Osteoarthritis Research Versus Arthritis.
Dr. Bullock's research focuses on developing clinically relevant research with immediate application in orthopedic and sports medicine. His research focuses on risk and risk mitigation, the impact of exercise and sport across a patient's lifespan, and the impact of clinical decisions on patient care. Through both consulting and academic projects, Dr. Bullock has worked with a number of national and international professional athlete organizations and leagues.
Physical Therapist and Quantitative Epidemiologist
Dr. Bullock was a 4-year letter-winner and captain of the baseball team at Wake Forest University from 2006 to 2008, before moving on to the professional ranks through 2014. Dr. Bullock received a DPT from Duke University and a Clarendon Scholar DPhil in Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Statistics from the University of Oxford. Dr. Bullock is now a member of the faculty of the Wake Forest School of Medicine and an honorary member of the United Kingdom Center for Sport, Exercise, and Osteoarthritis Research Versus Arthritis.
Dr. Bullock's research focuses on developing clinically relevant research with immediate application in orthopedic and sports medicine. His research focuses on risk and risk mitigation, the impact of exercise and sport across a patient's lifespan, and the impact of clinical decisions on patient care. Through both consulting and academic projects, Dr. Bullock has worked with a number of national and international professional athlete organizations and leagues.
BRIAN WATERMAN
Team Doctor
Dr. Brian Waterman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a background in the military, specializing in sports medicine, cartilage restoration, and shoulder and elbow care. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA. Dr. Waterman subsequently performed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery through the U.S. Army at the combined program of William Beaumont Army Medical Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Waterman performed his fellowship training with the renowned Sports Medicine program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He has served as a team physician for the Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago White Sox (MLB), Chicago Fire (MLS), and Chicago Steel (USHL). He previously received additional training in complex knee, shoulder, and elbow reconstruction at the Mayo Clinic, and he has been selected for the prestigious American Orthopedic Association North American Traveling Fellowship and Arthroscopy Association of North America’s (AANA) Advanced Arthroscopy Traveling Fellowship.
A 13-year military veteran, Dr. Waterman has served his country with distinction, earning multiple honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. He previously completed a combat deployment with the 28th Combat Support Hospital to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of the 8th Marine Regiment from Camp Lejeune, NC, and a multinational force from Jordan and Afghanistan. Dr. Waterman is committed to graduate medical education and clinical and translational research. He has previously served as Director of Orthopedic Research in Texas, and he holds faculty appointments at WBAMC, Texas Tech University, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD.
Dr. Waterman is currently an Associate Professor in Orthopedic Surgery at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, 20 book chapters, and received the institutional award at WBAMC for Researcher of the Year on three separate occasions. He is on the editorial board of the Arthroscopy Journal and the American Journal of Orthopedics. He serves on multiple committees through the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS), the Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons (SOMOS), and the AANA, in addition to being a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES).
Dr. Waterman truly enjoys quality time traveling and hiking with his wife, Sarah, a historical fiction author, and their dog, Gilbert. As a former intercollegiate soccer athlete at Elon University, Dr. Waterman is enthusiastic about all things sports and fitness-related. He looks forward to caring for Atlantic Coast Conference athletes as a member of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Sports Medicine group.
Team Doctor
Dr. Brian Waterman is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a background in the military, specializing in sports medicine, cartilage restoration, and shoulder and elbow care. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA. Dr. Waterman subsequently performed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery through the U.S. Army at the combined program of William Beaumont Army Medical Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Waterman performed his fellowship training with the renowned Sports Medicine program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He has served as a team physician for the Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago White Sox (MLB), Chicago Fire (MLS), and Chicago Steel (USHL). He previously received additional training in complex knee, shoulder, and elbow reconstruction at the Mayo Clinic, and he has been selected for the prestigious American Orthopedic Association North American Traveling Fellowship and Arthroscopy Association of North America’s (AANA) Advanced Arthroscopy Traveling Fellowship.
A 13-year military veteran, Dr. Waterman has served his country with distinction, earning multiple honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. He previously completed a combat deployment with the 28th Combat Support Hospital to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of the 8th Marine Regiment from Camp Lejeune, NC, and a multinational force from Jordan and Afghanistan. Dr. Waterman is committed to graduate medical education and clinical and translational research. He has previously served as Director of Orthopedic Research in Texas, and he holds faculty appointments at WBAMC, Texas Tech University, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD.
Dr. Waterman is currently an Associate Professor in Orthopedic Surgery at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, 20 book chapters, and received the institutional award at WBAMC for Researcher of the Year on three separate occasions. He is on the editorial board of the Arthroscopy Journal and the American Journal of Orthopedics. He serves on multiple committees through the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS), the Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons (SOMOS), and the AANA, in addition to being a member of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES).
Dr. Waterman truly enjoys quality time traveling and hiking with his wife, Sarah, a historical fiction author, and their dog, Gilbert. As a former intercollegiate soccer athlete at Elon University, Dr. Waterman is enthusiastic about all things sports and fitness-related. He looks forward to caring for Atlantic Coast Conference athletes as a member of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Sports Medicine group.
JEFF STRAHM
Wake Forest Baseball Athletic Trainer
Jeff Strahm is in his 21st year in 2018-19 with the Sports Medicine Department, working as the head athletic trainer for the Wake Forest baseball team. He is responsible for the team's day-to-day care, including injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Strahm has been the head baseball athletic trainer since coming to Wake Forest in 1998 and has been instrumental in the team's run of six NCAA appearances and two Atlantic Coast Conference championships. While at Wake Forest, he also worked three years with the men's soccer program and four years with the women's volleyball program.
Strahm graduated from Kansas State University in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology while working as an athletic trainer for the football, basketball, and baseball teams. While at Kansas State, he gained valuable experience under the tutelage of head athletic trainer Jim Whalen, now of the New England Patriots.
Strahm is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Atlantic Coast Conference Sports Medicine Association, and the North Carolina Athletic Trainers Association.
He and his wife, Sarah, have three children: son Levi, and daughters Taryn and Cambry.
Wake Forest Baseball Athletic Trainer
Jeff Strahm is in his 21st year in 2018-19 with the Sports Medicine Department, working as the head athletic trainer for the Wake Forest baseball team. He is responsible for the team's day-to-day care, including injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
Strahm has been the head baseball athletic trainer since coming to Wake Forest in 1998 and has been instrumental in the team's run of six NCAA appearances and two Atlantic Coast Conference championships. While at Wake Forest, he also worked three years with the men's soccer program and four years with the women's volleyball program.
Strahm graduated from Kansas State University in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology while working as an athletic trainer for the football, basketball, and baseball teams. While at Kansas State, he gained valuable experience under the tutelage of head athletic trainer Jim Whalen, now of the New England Patriots.
Strahm is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, Atlantic Coast Conference Sports Medicine Association, and the North Carolina Athletic Trainers Association.
He and his wife, Sarah, have three children: son Levi, and daughters Taryn and Cambry.
MARK SEAVER
Wake Forest Baseball Strength Coach
Mark Seaver is in his 13th season at Wake Forest in 2018-19, serving as Coordinator of Sports Performance. Seaver works primarily with the Demon Deacon baseball, women's golf, and volleyball programs.
Seaver was a pitcher on the Wake Forest baseball team from 1993 to 1996. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1996 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and played professionally in the minor leagues for six seasons.
Seaver finished his degree in health and exercise science from Wake Forest in 2003.
Seaver is certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA).
Originally from Pittsburgh, Seaver currently resides in Winston-Salem with his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Emily, and son, Kade.
Wake Forest Baseball Strength Coach
Mark Seaver is in his 13th season at Wake Forest in 2018-19, serving as Coordinator of Sports Performance. Seaver works primarily with the Demon Deacon baseball, women's golf, and volleyball programs.
Seaver was a pitcher on the Wake Forest baseball team from 1993 to 1996. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1996 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and played professionally in the minor leagues for six seasons.
Seaver finished his degree in health and exercise science from Wake Forest in 2003.
Seaver is certified by the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA).
Originally from Pittsburgh, Seaver currently resides in Winston-Salem with his wife, Kelly, and their daughter, Emily, and son, Kade.
Eric Niesen
Assistant Coach, Pitching Staff
Eric Niesen returned to Wake Forest Baseball as an assistant coach prior to the 2026 season, working directly with the pitching staff. A former standout pitcher for the Demon Deacons and one of the most respected pitching development minds in professional baseball, Niesen brings experience from both the collegiate and professional levels back to Winston-Salem.
Before returning to Wake Forest, Niesen spent several years with the Houston Astros organization, most recently serving as Director of Pitching. In that role, he helped shape and implement the Astros’ pitching philosophy across all levels of the minor leagues. During his time with Houston, the organization won the 2022 World Series, and the Sugar Land Space Cowboys captured the 2024 Triple-A National Title. Niesen also played a role in developing MLB pitchers, including Hunter Brown, Spencer Arrighetti, Colton Gordon, and Ryan Gusto.
Prior to his time with the Astros, Niesen served as the pitching coach at Georgetown University, where he helped the program reach multiple milestones. The Hoyas set program records for strikeouts in a season and strikeouts per nine innings, while also producing multiple MLB Draft selections and All-BIG EAST performers.
Niesen is no stranger to Wake Forest. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Wake Forest in 2017 while serving as a student assistant coach on the Demon Deacons’ NCAA Super Regional team. As a player, he was selected in the third round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the New York Mets after a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest. He went on to pitch professionally for seven seasons, reaching Triple-A and competing internationally in Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
At the Wake Forest Pitching Lab, Niesen brings a unique blend of professional pitching development, player evaluation, coaching experience, and firsthand knowledge of the Demon Deacon program.
Assistant Coach, Pitching Staff
Eric Niesen returned to Wake Forest Baseball as an assistant coach prior to the 2026 season, working directly with the pitching staff. A former standout pitcher for the Demon Deacons and one of the most respected pitching development minds in professional baseball, Niesen brings experience from both the collegiate and professional levels back to Winston-Salem.
Before returning to Wake Forest, Niesen spent several years with the Houston Astros organization, most recently serving as Director of Pitching. In that role, he helped shape and implement the Astros’ pitching philosophy across all levels of the minor leagues. During his time with Houston, the organization won the 2022 World Series, and the Sugar Land Space Cowboys captured the 2024 Triple-A National Title. Niesen also played a role in developing MLB pitchers, including Hunter Brown, Spencer Arrighetti, Colton Gordon, and Ryan Gusto.
Prior to his time with the Astros, Niesen served as the pitching coach at Georgetown University, where he helped the program reach multiple milestones. The Hoyas set program records for strikeouts in a season and strikeouts per nine innings, while also producing multiple MLB Draft selections and All-BIG EAST performers.
Niesen is no stranger to Wake Forest. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Wake Forest in 2017 while serving as a student assistant coach on the Demon Deacons’ NCAA Super Regional team. As a player, he was selected in the third round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the New York Mets after a standout collegiate career at Wake Forest. He went on to pitch professionally for seven seasons, reaching Triple-A and competing internationally in Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
At the Wake Forest Pitching Lab, Niesen brings a unique blend of professional pitching development, player evaluation, coaching experience, and firsthand knowledge of the Demon Deacon program.