Ramine Alexander
Ramine Alexander, a rising senior at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), was selected to present her research at the annual meeting for the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently in Greenville, SC. Alexander presented the same research at the national ACSM conference in Baltimore June 2-5, and has received a scholarship to cover all of her travel expenses to the event.
“While I was in the process of finishing the research, I was asked by my professors to present at the Southeast Chapter meeting and also to submit my abstract to the ACSM in hopes of presenting at the national conference as well,” said Alexander. “I had to wait about two months to find out if my abstract was accepted and then my professors were busy helping me find scholarships to go to the national conference in Baltimore.”
One scholarship that stood out was the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program Travel Scholarship because it would cover all of her expenses and meeting registration.
“I immediately applied and was anxious to see if I would receive the scholarship because so many undergraduate students from all over the country had also applied,” noted Alexander. “Shortly after I applied I received an email stating that I would receive the scholarship. I am very grateful because I will not only represent myself and my major in Baltimore, but I will be able to represent to my school on the national level.”
Alexander’s research is on the relationship between the exertion measurements during a bicycle exercise test in African-American women. Kevin Ritsche and Dr. Michael McKenzie, both members of the exercise science faculty of the Department of Human Performance and Sports Sciences at WSSU, were Alexander’s professors who worked with her on her research and also encouraged her to submit her work for the national ACSM conference.
“The American College of Sports Medicine is a highly regarded scientific professional organization,” said Dr. Cynthia Williams Brown, chair of the Department of Human Performance and Sports Sciences. “While it is notable that we have faculty who presented at the Southeast Chapter meeting and will present at the national meeting, it is very impressive that our undergraduate students are also presenting their work, especially on a national level.”
