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.
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.
Melissa Villafana, M.S.
Program Manager
melissa.villafana@unco.edu
(970) 351-1739
Melissa Villafana is the Program Manager at the University of Northern Colorado Cancer
Rehabilitation Institute (UNCCRI). In this role, she oversees the Institute’s daily
operations, manages patient intake and referral procedures, coordinates initial physical
assessments, and supports staff training initiatives.
Melissa holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Northern
Colorado. Prior to stepping into her current leadership role, she served as a specialist
at UNCCRI, where she gained extensive experience in patient care and cancer rehabilitation
programming.
