Marquette University Student Awarded Two Foundation PODS I Scholarships

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research seeks to provide aspiring physical therapist researchers the resources needed to advance the future of the physical therapy profession. As part of our Doctoral Opportunities for Clinicians and Scholars (DOCS) Program, we seek to fund post-professional doctoral students who wish to continue their studies. Recently, one such award was given to Marquette University Student, Lauren K Sara, PT, DPT, OCS.

Sara is one of 13 to receive the 2018 Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) I Scholarship. She is also the recipient of the 2017 PODS I award.

Watch Sara’s presentation of her research

As a third-year PhD student in the Department of Physical Therapy’s Clinical and Translational Rehabilitation Health Sciences (CTRH) program at Marquette University, Sara plans to utilize her awards towards understanding the neural and contractile mechanisms in people with Achilles Tendinopathy (AT). AT is a chronic, painful condition affecting functional mobility, activity and participation, and quality of life. Sara hopes her research will yield a greater understanding of who best benefits from eccentric plantar flexor strength training and how to optimize dosage in the AT community. Ultimately, she hopes her research will lead to enhanced evidenced-based practice surrounding management of this common pathology.

Most recently, Sara won the “People’s Choice Award” for the Three Minute Thesis held at Marquette University in February. The Three Minute Thesis, also called 3MT, is a worldwide competition originating in Australia, meant to be a way to share graduate research with the lay community. Participating students have 3 minutes to summarize their research to an audience not acquainted with their field of study and communicate its value and importance to the general public.

The Foundation offers scholarships in the forms of a $7,500 PODS I and a $15,000 PODS II. The 2019 PODS cycle will open in the fall. All interested applicants should subscribe to our mailing list to receive periodic funding alerts and our monthly newsletter.