2014 NEACSM AWARDS
Robert Axtell Undergraduate Scholarship
AND
Donna Murphy Service Scholarship
Rebecca Skinner, Central Connecticut State University
Congratulations to Rebecca Skinner from Central Connecticut State University
and her advisor Dr. Sean Walsh! Rebecca is the 2014 Robert Axtell
Undergraduate Scholarship recipient and the 2014 Donna Murphy Service
Scholarship recipient. Rebecca earned Dean’s List Honors every semester at
Central Connecticut, graduating in May 2014. She has earned numerous
academic awards and was selected to represent CCSU as a member of the 2013
College Bowl Team. Most recently, she received the CCSU Exercise Science
Major of the Year Award for 2013-2014. Rebecca is also a certified Health
Fitness Specialist and a certified Level One CrossFit Trainer. She is pursuing a
graduate degree in Exercise Science at CCSU this Fall. Congratulations and best
wishes Rebecca!
Mark Connelly Memorial Masters Scholarship
Lindsay Ellis, University of Connecticut
Congratulations to Lindsay Ellis from the University of Connecticut and her
advisor Dr. Lawrence E. Armstrong. Lindsay is the 2014 Mark Connelly
Memorial Masters Scholarship recipient. Lindsay is a recent graduate of the
University of New England. Lindsay has achieved a 4.0 overall GPA in graduate
studies and has had the opportunity to be involved in a number of research
projects in her first year of study at UConn. Congratulations Lindsay!
David Camaione Doctoral Scholarship
Amanda Hickey, University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Congratulations to Amanda Hickey from the University of Massachusetts –
Amherst and her advisor Dr. Patty Freedson. Amanda is the 2014 David
Camaione Doctoral Scholarship recipient. Amanda is in her third year of doctoral
training. Her research is examining the validation of wearable sensors to assess
sedentary behavior and physical activity in clinical populations. She has received
the American Kinesiology Association Student Scholar Award as an
undergraduate and as a masters student, has co-authored 8 manuscripts, and
presented at regional, national, and international conferences. Congratulations
Amanda!
Lawrence E. Armstrong Minority Scholarship
Yuri Hosokawa, University of Connecticut
Congratulations to Yuri Hosokawa from the University of Connecticut and her
advisor, Douglas Casa. Yuri is the 2014 Lawrence E. Armstrong Minority
Scholarship recipient. Yuri is a doctoral student at UConn and currently works as
an athletic trainer at the University of Connecticut and as head athletic trainer at
the Rectory School in Pomfret, CT. She is a dedicated and hard-working
professional. Yuri’s research interests include analysis of injury surveillance data
in women’s lacrosse and environmental influences on performance. She has
presented at regional, national, and international conferences. Congratulations
Yuri!
Undergraduate Research Experience Grants
Chad Lyons, University of New England
Congratulations to Chad Lyons, an undergraduate student in Applied Exercise
Science at the University of New England, and recipient of a 2014 NEACSM
Undergraduate Research Experience Grant. Chad is working on the research
project “Force Production and Muscle Activity during Sprint Starts While Towing
a Heavy Sled” with his advisor Dr. Michael Lawrence.
Kaylee LeCavalier, University of New England
Congratulations to Kaylee LeCavalier, an undergraduate student in Applied
Exercise Science at the University of New England, and recipient of a 2014
NEACSM Undergraduate Research Experience Grant. Kaylee is working with
Dr. Lara Carlson on the research project “Immune Responses Following an Acute
Bout of Anaerobic Exercise in a Cold Environment.”
New Investigator Award
Beth Taylor, University of Hartford
The New England Chapter of Sports Medicine congratulates Beth A. Taylor, PhD,
recipient of the first annual NEACSM New Investigator Award. Dr. Taylor is an
Assistant Professor of Health Sciences and the Director of the Center for Health,
Care and Well-Being in the Institute for Translational Research at University of
Hartford. She is also the Director of Exercise Physiology Research in the
Department of Cardiology at Hartford Hospital. Her research areas include
vascular function, aging and cardiovascular risk, focusing specifically on the
interactions between pharmacological treatment, exercise and disease. Her
research vascular and thrombotic risk associated with marathon running has been
featured in the New York Times, Outside Magazine and Runnersworld. Her
ongoing extramurally funded research protocols include a National Institutes of
Health R01 to study the effects of statin therapy on cognitive function and an
Alzheimer’s Association grant to investigate the efficacy of exercise training on
adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Honor Award
Peter Ronai, Sacred Heart University
The New England Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine
(NEACSM) is proud to recognize Mr. Peter Ronai as the 2014 Honor Award
recipient. Peter is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Exercise
Science at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Peter is an accomplished and
seasoned clinical exercise physiologist and has been awarded Fellowship by the
American College of Sports Medicine. He is a prolific author in the area of exercise
rehabilitation and serves as editor on a number of highly regarded professional
journals. He is a nationally renowned and highly sought after speaker at regional
and national professional conferences lending his expertise on post-rehabilitation
conditioning.
Peter has served NEACSM in numerous leadership capacities. He was Connecticut
State Representative (2003-2004), Member at Large and Chair of the Membership
Committee (2004-2005), President-Elect (2006-2007), President (2007-2008), Past
President (2008-2009) and most recently Board of Trustee Representative (20122014). Peter has contributed to the growth of NEACSM in so many ways and
perhaps his most noteworthy contribution came as Membership Chair in 2004.
Peter conceptualized and developed the College Bowl and has been the central
force behind its success over the years. It would be hard to identify another single
event that has had a more immediate and substantial impact on membership
engagement than the College Bowl – it has become a highlight of our fall
conference and it will forever be one of Peter’s greatest legacies to the chapter.
Peter’s contributions have extended well beyond the regional level – he co-founded
and chaired ACSM’s Annual College Bowl in 2008 and continues to serve in this
role today. Additionally he has served on numerous professional committees, most
notably on ACSM’s Committee on Certification and Registry Boards and Clinical
Exercise Physiology Association’s Publications Committee.
To honor his selfless dedication to his profession and the field of clinical exercise
physiology, NEACSM is proud to name Mr. Peter Ronai, an accomplished
practitioner, prolific author, academician, leader, and always the humble and
gracious gentleman, as the recipient of the 2014 Honor Award. Congratulations
Peter!