Payton serves as the Research Director at Fox. With a deep passion for exercise science and a commitment to improving health outcomes, a key stepping stone to improving social determinants of health, Payton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, including a strong academic foundation and hands-on expertise in sports medicine, performance, and injury prevention.

Originally from Marietta, Georgia, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Samford University, where she graduated as the top undergraduate student in the College of Health Sciences. She completed her Master's degree in Exercise Science from the University of South Alabama and M.S.thesis with the University of South Alabama baseball team on ulnar collateral ligament injury prevention and athlete monitoring in baseball pitchers. Throughout her academic and professional career, she has served as a primary and secondary investigator on various projects that intersect exercise performance, sports nutrition, and injury prevention, emphasizing helping individuals reach their highest potential while minimizing the risk of injury. Her experience in research design, study protocol development, human subject research, and scientific writing bolsters the Fox Foundation team's efforts across various projects.

At the Fox Foundation, Payton is spearheading the launch of a new branch dedicated to serving underserved populations within the sport and exercise communities—groups often overlooked in traditional sponsored research. Through this initiative, she aims to bridge the gap in research funding and access, ensuring that all athletes, regardless of background, race, and socioeconomic status, can benefit from evidence-based practices in nutrition, exercise interventions, and injury management. Driven by a core belief in the power of research to create positive change, Payton is committed to using her expertise to create forward-thinking solutions that improve the health, performance, and wellness of those most in need.