Ella Hughes

Sports Scientist- Portland Thorns MSc, USAW1, SFG1, CPSS, PFPS

Oregon City, Oregon, United States

About

High-performance leader and sports scientist with extensive experience operating at the intersection of elite women’s sport, applied performance science, and performance innovation. Currently Head of Sports Science at the Portland Thorns, leading integrated athlete monitoring and performance technology systems in a professional football environment. Passion for bridging research, data, and real-world application to inform product development, performance strategy, and athlete-centered solutions.

Experience

  • Sports Scientist at Portland Thorns FC
    Sep 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 10 mos

    - Lead the design and evolution of a comprehensive high-performance system integrating athlete monitoring, wearable technology, biomechanical testing, and performance analytics in an elite women’s football environment. - Oversee the collection, interpretation, and application of performance data across GPS, heart rate, force plates, isometric testing, and athlete management systems, translating complex datasets into actionable performance insights. - Develop performance dashboards and reporting frameworks that inform coaches, medical staff, and senior leadership while supporting rapid decision-making in training and competition environments. - Partnered closely with Nike and the Nike Performance Lab on applied performance projects, including the development of Nike’s first return-to-performance-from-pregnancy framework, bridging laboratory research with real-world elite athlete application in collaboration with the LeBron James Performance Lab. - Contribute to innovation planning for a new high-performance facility, advising on technology selection, system integration, and future-facing performance infrastructure.

  • Linfield University (4 yrs 2 mos)
    • Director of Performance - Olympic Sports
      Aug 2020 - Sep 2023 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      - Designed and implemented a high-performance model emphasizing data-informed decision-making, athlete monitoring, and performance education across multiple sports. - Applied emerging technologies including GPS, force plates, velocity-based training, heart rate monitoring, vision and reaction assessment, and subjective readiness tools to evaluate performance demands and adaptation across baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, swimming, wrestling and tennis teams.  - Built sport- and position-specific performance profiles to better understand movement demands, injury risk, and performance constraints across diverse athlete populations. - Collaborated with academic staff to integrate applied sports science into undergraduate and master’s-level education, supporting the development of future practitioners and researchers. - Designed internship pathways that exposed students to applied research, data collection, performance testing, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

    • Tennis Coach
      Aug 2019 - Jul 2022 · 3 yrs

      Head Womens tennis coach for the Linfield Women's Tennis Program.

  • Strength Coach at Industrial Strength Gym
    Jan 2020 - Feb 2022 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    - Delivered individualized performance programming with an emphasis on movement quality, load progression, and measurable adaptation. - Developed the ability to communicate performance data and physical concepts through clear visualizations and athlete-centered language, improving understanding and buy-in. - Refined coaching methodology through StrongFirst kettlebell certification, emphasizing technical mastery, discipline, and efficient force production.

  • Leeds Rhinos Womens Netball U17 & U19 at Leeds Rhinos Foundation
    Nov 2018 - Aug 2019 · 10 mos

  • Strength And Conditioning Coach at Leeds Beckett University
    Sep 2018 - Aug 2019 · 1 yr