More than 50 Stephen F. Austin State University students attended the two-day Texas American College of Sports Medicine Conference. Undergraduate and graduate students in SFA’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science presented research and were introduced to field experts during the event.
During the event, more than 50 SFA students were introduced to field experts from around the country who presented at the two-day conference. Presentation topics ranged from thermoregulation and hypo-hydration to current concussive issues and skeletal muscle plasticity in astronauts.
Dr. Eric Jones, graduate kinesiology program co-coordinator and associate professor of kinesiology and health science at SFA, explained the benefits of this conference were twofold.
“From the very first trip eight years ago, our purpose has been to expose students to the breadth of research and professions they may seek within the field of exercise physiology and sports medicine,” Jones said. “It also is a professional outlet for networking and professional development.”
SFA showcased six student-led research poster presentations at this year’s conference, which are being completed within SFA’s Human Performance Lab in conjunction with Jones and Dr. Mark Faries, SFA associate professor of kinesiology and health science. Graduate student Rachel Nanez was selected as a finalist for the TACSM Outstanding Master’s Research Award for her research on the effects of a 3-D imaging trigger on self-conscious emotions and coping.
“I love going to TACSM every year,” Nanez said. “I enjoy looking at the different research from other schools and listening to the professional presentations. This year, I had the pleasure of representing SFA with my research, and I was very excited my research made it to the top eight.”
SFA also had two TACSM Student Bowl teams compete this year in a jeopardy-style academic competition, which included 38 teams from various universities across the state. SFA’s teams finished 11th out of the 38 teams that competed.
Jones said attending this conference gave students an opportunity to witness different possibilities in their chosen field as well as meet future employers and prospective graduate and doctoral school mentors. There was a clinical track within the conference, which introduced students to medical doctors, physicians’ assistants, and physical and occupational therapists.
