Kaileigh Moertl
Staff
Biomedical Engineering
About Me:
Kaileigh Moertl, MA, is an Associate in Research in the BIG IDEAs Lab at Duke University, where she serves as lab manager and helps power the day-to-day logistics that keep research moving forward - from devices and expenses to operational coordination and project support. She earned her B.S. in Exercise Science from North Park University and her M.A. in Exercise Physiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Kaileigh’s academic interests center on exercise physiology, with a particular focus on immunology and oncology, reflecting her passion for understanding how movement shapes health at the cellular and systemic levels.
She brings both scientific rigor and thoughtful care to her work - often resembling the fast-typing Slack blob emoji when logistics are in full swing. A longtime Apple Watch devotee for its everyday utility, she has recently embraced the Oura Ring for its focus on rest and recovery. Fueled by black coffee (iced in the summer, hot in the winter) and the “Peaceful Meditation” Spotify playlist during focused work sessions, she balances precision with calm.
Outside the lab, Kaileigh can most likely be found spending time with her husband and their two dogs, meeting friends at favorite local spots, or fitting in an OrangeTheory class before tackling house projects. She celebrates wins by gathering with family and chosen family alike, and finds comfort in just about any baked good. Guided by the reminder that taking breaks is both okay and necessary to prevent burnout, she hopes one day to travel to Greece, originally inspired as a teenager by Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
