Where Sports Injury Meets Sports Psychology
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ASPIRE logo

Our mission at the Applied Sports Psychology and Injury Research and Education Lab (ASPIRE) is to create valuable learning experiences, produce interdisciplinary research and deliver education to improve client outcomes.

Our goals

  • Provide students with the opportunity to engage in professional development, collaborative research and education delivery
  • Improve the health and recovery of individuals through clinically-driven research
  • Offer educational opportunities for individuals and communities

Our current research projects

  • Epidemiology and characteristics of runner’s dystonia
  • Solution focused coaching for exercise and sport
  • Mental skills training for injured athletes
  • Suicide rates in NCAA athletes

Join the ASPIRE Lab Heading link

Undergraduate kinesiology students with a sophomore standing or above who can commit to a minimum of two semesters of research in the lab are eligible to apply. Hours earned count towards experiential learning credit. Graduate kinesiology students working on their master's degree who can commit to a minimum of two semesters of research in the lab are eligible to apply. Hours earned count towards course credit with the possibility of completing a project or thesis.

  • Benefits

    Students who complete research and project work in our lab pursue careers in academia, athletic training, counseling, health/wellness coaching, medicine, nursing, occupational or physical therapy, personal training, psychology, research, strength & conditioning, and other similar fields.

    • Obtain a unique opportunity for professional skills and career development
    • Differentiate yourself from other graduate admissions applicants
    • Develop lasting relationships with peers and faculty
    • Operate in a high expectation environment
    • Receive supervision and mentoring
    • Participate in meaningful work
    • Develop research skills
    • Earn credit hours

  • How to join

    Student interviews occur every spring semester to join the following fall and spring semesters. A maximum of TWO placements are available for academic year 2025-2026.

    Application Steps:

    1. Apply below when the application opens at the beginning of March 2025
    2. Submit a complete application by Friday, April 4, 2025
    3. Look for an emailed status update on your application 1-2 weeks after the application deadline
    4. Prepare for a professional interview if invited

Apply to join the ASPIRE Lab

Support ASPIRE Heading link

Donations to ASPIRE support student development, research-related costs and our educational programs.

Make your gift to the Kinesiology Annual Fund. In the “Additional Instructions” field, indicate “to support the ASPIRE Lab.”

Support ASPIRE