Meet the UNCCRI Staff
Reid Hayward, Ph.D.
Director
Dr. Reid Hayward serves as the Director of UNCCRI. He is a Professor of Sport and
Exercise Science at the University of Northern Colorado, and is a member of the American
College of Sports Medicine and the American Physiological Society. Dr. Hayward oversees
all UNCCRI operations.
Michael Lazio, M.S.
Clinical Coordinator
michael.lazio@unco.edu
Michael Lazio serves as the UNCCRI Clinical Coordinator. He is a Certified Exercise
Physiologist and a Clinical Cancer Exercise Specialist. He earned his undergraduate
degree and his master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. After leaving
UNC he directed the CancerFit Program for the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. In his
current role as the Clinical Coordinator, Mike is responsible for the coordination
of all clinical services, he supervises UNCCRI staff and students, and he oversees
all daily operations of the Institute.
Wendy Watson, B.S.
Program Manager
wendy.watson@unco.edu
Wendy Watson serves as the Program Manager for UNCCRI. She recently completed her
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at UNC and is currently working on her graduate
degree. She was also a former specialist and supervisor at UNCCRI before accepting
the Program Manager position. Wendy manages all patient intake and referral procedures,
is responsible for scheduling initial patient physical assessments, assists with UNCCRI
staff training, and oversees daily operations of the Institute.
Buck Covington, M.S.
Graduate Assistant
buck.covington@unco.edu
Buck Covington is the UNCCRI Graduate Assistant, and he is currently pursuing his
PhD in Exercise Physiology. His duties as the Graduate Assistant at UNCCRI include
supervision of Cancer Exercise Specialists, assisting with exercise assessments and
interventions, and supervising ongoing clinical research studies.
