Neilsen Foundation Allied Health Professional Research Award of ASIA

Applications will be accepted July 2 – August 6, 2018

The Neilsen Foundation Allied Health Professional Research Award of ASIA is a one year award of $25,000 to a clinician at the Master’s or Clinical Doctorate level. The purpose of the award is to encourage clinicians in the field of SCI to incorporate an element of research into their professional practice.

The recipient will be selected by the ASIA Research and Awards Committee and will receive his/her award in person at the ASIA Annual Meeting. The recipient will be asked to present their work at a future ASIA meeting. Registration for the latter meeting will be complementary. If the recipient is not an ASIA member, they will be given a complimentary one year membership.

Neilsen-ASIA Research Award Eligibility Criteria

Each applicant must:

1. Have a certified degree in an allied health professional field. The applicant may have a Master’s or Clinical Doctorate in his/her field and cannot have other funding for the project being proposed. Individuals with a terminal degree (MD or PhD) are not eligible. Applicants need not be ASIA members.
2. Submit a one-year clinical research proposal in the field of SCI. The rationale should be supported by a recent review of the literature.
3. Declare a mentor who is an established researcher in the field of SCI or related area and is a member of ASIA in good standing at the application deadline. The following individuals are excluded from serving as mentors: ASIA President Elect (in second year), ASIA President (entire term), ASIA Past President (first year), ASIA R&A Committee Chair and Vice Chair.
4. Complete the application form.
5. Submit a biosketch for the applicant and mentor

Scoring

The project will be scored based on the following criteria:

1. Overall Score
   This score is the overall assessment of the proposal, not necessarily an average of the other criterion scores. This score considers the strengths and weaknesses of the proposal and how this work may contribute to the development of the individual as a clinical researcher.
2. Significance Score
   Does the proposed work facilitate the development of the applicant as a clinical researcher?   Is the level of this research appropriate for the applicant? What is the potential significance and impact of the work on the field of spinal cord injury?
3. Approach Score
   Is the application clearly written? Are the methods feasible?  Do the methods adequately address the aim(s) and hypothesis(es) or research question(s)?  Is the planned recruitment (if applicable) realistic and achievable?
4. Qualifications of Applicant and Mentor and Environment Score
   Do the applicant and mentor meet the qualifications for the award?  Is the environment /institution appropriate to support the proposed work?  Is the mentoring plan and mentor’s level of involvement appropriate for the applicant/project?
5. Non scored categories:
   Ethical/Safety Issues
   Facilities and Budget
   Other Issues

Application: Coming Soon!

Submissions will be accepted July 2 – August 6, 2018

For additional details, contact the ASIA Executive Director, Patty Duncan. Submissions should be made electronically to this email address.

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2018 Award

The Neilsen Foundation Allied Health Professional Research Award of ASIA is a one year award of $25,000 to a clinician at the Master’s or Clinical Doctorate level. The purpose of the award is to encourage clinicians in the field of SCI to incorporate an element of research into their professional practice.

Dr. Palermo received her Bachelors in Biochemistry from Niagara University and continued on to gain her Clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami. Currently, Annie is working as a licensed physical therapist at the University of Miami Hospital in the acute setting and as a research therapist at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. Additionally, Annie is pursuing her PhD in Physical Therapy through the University of Miami’s Department of Physical Therapy in the Miller School of Medicine under her mentor Dr. Lawrence Cahalin, Ph.D., PT, CCS. Throughout her scholastic and professional work, Annie has been honored with the Mary McMillan Scholarship Award, Florence P. Kendall Scholarship, and a Promotion of Doctoral Studies Scholarship (PODS I), from the Foundation of Physical Therapy.

Dr. Palermo will receive the award during a presentation at the 2018 ASIA Scientific Meeting in Rochester, Minnesota.

Past Neilsen Foundation ASIA Award Recipients