Eric Sinacori Memorial Scholarship

Sophia Woods

Sophia Woods

Sophia Woods is majoring in kinesiology and is on the pre-PA track. During high school, she was a three-varsity sport athlete and the captain of each team. Sophia was president of the National Honor Society and dedicated countless hours to serving her community through an organization called Key Club. She is one of 10 siblings with 6 brothers and 4 sisters, and most of them grew up in the foster care system. Sophia says that growing up was anything but simple, but she would not change it. She says it made her strong, resilient, and determined to do anything. Sophia's dream is to help people in need and make them feel heard and understood. Being a first-generation student has made her determined to accomplish anything she sets out to do. While at UMass Amherst she says she has been supported by the academic community and peers. She is a member of the UMass club rugby team, and the pre-PA club, participated in intramural sports, and tried out for the club field hockey team. 

Thank you for choosing me as a recipient of the Eric Sinacori Memorial Scholarship. I am grateful for the generous award. Throughout these four years of my life, I realized that I love being able to assist others. I am financially responsible for all my expenses and bills as a working college student. It is because of people like you that I can live out my dream. Receiving this scholarship has lifted a tremendous amount of stress off my shoulders. It is because of you that I can inspire others, make my family proud, and most of all, make my dreams come true.

Esther Wallace Scholarship

Julia Hinckley

Julia Hinckley

Julia Hinckley, is a freshman of the Commonwealth Honors College at UMass Amherst. She is from Norton MA. Julia is majoring in kinesiology and is on track toward becoming a physician’s assistant. During her first semester at UMASS, she joined the Public Health Club to support her studies further. During her high school career, she interned at a physical therapy practice and also had the unique experience of shadowing an orthopedic physician assistant in the operating room of New England Baptist Hospital and in the office during patient visits. She says this experience solidified her commitment to a future in public health.

It is with sincere gratitude that I accept the Esther Wallace scholarship toward my studies at UMass Amherst. This scholarship will help to alleviate some of my financial responsibilities and allow me to put my efforts toward my studies on a path to becoming a physician assistant. This scholarship will ultimately support my goals, allowing me to be of service to others in the medical field. Thank you very much for this generous gift. 

Frank Rife Undergraduate Scholarship in Kinesiology

Shyla Senn

Shyla Senn

Shyla Senn is a sophomore kinesiology major on the pre-physical therapy track while completing a medical humanities certification. Shyla is also a member of the Commonwealth Honors College. This summer with the support of this scholarship, Shyla will intern at the Charles River Center in Needham, Massachusetts shadowing physical therapists, occupational therapists, and a speech-language pathologist who care for adults with disabilities.

I am writing to express my gratitude for being awarded the 2024 Frank Rife Kinesiology Opportunity scholarship. Thanks to this scholarship, you lighten my financial burden of relocation making the internship experience more accessible for me.

John R. Schroeder Scholarship Fund

Trevor Maslowski

Trevor Maslowski

Trevor Maslowski is a junior at The University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in kinesiology on the physical therapy track. Trevor is from Northampton, Massachusetts, and graduated from Northampton High School in the class of 2022. In his spare time, he enjoys working out and trying to be outside and active as much as possible. He has participated in playing football, basketball, and baseball through the high school varsity level. He suffered a severe shoulder injury causing him to need surgery and an extended amount of physical therapy to heal. During this time, he became inspired to help people through the challenges of recovery because of how much his doctors and physical therapist helped him. After graduating, he hopes to go on to physical therapy school.

I am sincerely grateful for being awarded the John R. Schroeder Scholarship. This recognition brings immense financial relief to me and my family. This support allows me to focus on my studies at UMass with renewed determination. In receiving this scholarship, I am one step closer to living my dream of becoming a licensed physical therapist. This is an incredible opportunity. I am thankful for the generosity of the donors and honored to receive this scholarship.

Patty Freedson Undergraduate Health and Wellness Scholarship

Ashley Fang

Ashley Fang

Ashley Fang is a junior Kinesiology major at UMass Amherst who grew up in Taipei, Taiwan currently studying abroad in South Korea. Her interests vary from watching baseball and outdoor activities to K-pop and anime. She enjoys working in the sports medicine field and plans to become a physical therapist working with professional athletes. Extracurricular activities she has participated in include intramural volleyball, Safety Officer with the UMass Badminton Club, Career Ambassador, and UMass Athletics athletic trainer internship.  

This will help me to repay my family who always supports me. They have put in a lot of effort to support my dream and pay for the tuition abroad while we are on the opposite side of the world. The support I received from this award is more than financial. Getting frustrated by the rejection of multiple internship applications and my student visa status, it is hard to be determined despite my passion for sports and helping others. There are more reasons for me to continue the path of being awarded the scholarship.                  

Mark Justin Legarda

Mark Justin Legarda

Mark Justin Legarda is a junior kinesiology major hailing from West Springfield, MA. Mark enjoys exploring the local area with his friends and rowing with the Men’s Club Crew team on campus. After graduation, he aspires to take the knowledge he obtained with his degree and apply it to both medical school and beyond.

I am honored to be the recipient of the Patty Freedson Undergraduate Health and Wellness Scholarship.  I would like to thank each person who recognized me and the work that I have been doing. It truly means a lot to be acknowledged within our community. I will use this recognition as further motivation towards striving for academic excellence.

Priscilla M. Clarkson Graduate Scholarship in Kinesiology

Shivangi Bajpai

Shivangi Bajpai

Shivangi Bajpai is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Kinesiology within the School of Public Health and Health Sciences. Under the mentorship of Dr. Amanda Paluch, her current research focuses on advancing the measurement of physical activity and examining its association with various health outcomes. Passionate about improving health outcomes among older adults and informal family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia (ADRD), Shivangi's dissertation work aims to explore the utility of wearable device metrics in monitoring the psychological and cardiovascular health of older women and ADRD caregivers. Shivangi’s dedication and hard work have been recognized through various accolades, including the prestigious American Association of University Women (AAUW) 2023-2024 Fellowship. This fellowship provides critical financial support, allowing her to focus entirely on her dissertation research. Shivangi aspires to continue her career in academia and research. She aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on physical activity and health, particularly in aging populations and caregivers.

I extend my heartfelt thanks for your generosity and support. This scholarship has not only provided me with the financial means to pursue my research but has also motivated me to strive for excellence in my academic and professional endeavors. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I am committed to making a positive impact in the field of health and behavioral science.

Ross Brancati

Ross Brancati

Ross Brancati is a PhD candidate at UMass Amherst studying biomechanics. Originally from Tolland, Connecticut, Ross completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Connecticut in biomedical engineering. He became interested in biomechanics when he was working in a motion capture lab at UConn. Eventually, he relocated to Ann Arbor, MI where he worked as a research assistant in an orthopedic biomechanics lab at the University of Michigan. Following his time as a research assistant at the University of Michigan, Ross began his studies at UMass Amherst in the Kinesiology Department. His work and research on patellofemoral pain syndrome was recently published in the Journal of Sports Science. He is currently working on his dissertation project which aims to explore and identify subgroups within the general population of individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (also known as anterior knee pain). Additionally, he plans to develop a machine-learning model using wearable sensor data to classify such identified subgroups. Ross was a lifelong athlete, eventually playing ice hockey at the University of Connecticut for their club team. His interest in athletics and movement science sparked him to pursue a graduate degree in biomechanics. He also developed a keen interest in data science when he arrived at UMass amidst the pandemic, which initiated his studies in this field. He hopes that his dissertation project incorporating biomechanical analysis and data science approaches can improve clinical diagnosis and treatment of patellofemoral pain. In his free time, Ross likes to spend time outdoors with his yellow lab Bailey, golfing, snowboarding, and hanging out at the beach. After graduation, Ross plans to pursue a career in data science and wearable technology, specifically related to improving human performance.

This scholarship means so much to me as it will help me with costs related to my dissertation that are required to develop large datasets to make my goals possible. I thank you for your generous donation. Without this scholarship, it would be challenging to pursue this dissertation.

Ann-Marie Sylvia

Ann-Marie Sylvia

Ann-Marie Sylvia is a first-generation doctoral candidate in the Kinesiology program. She holds a Master’s in Exercise Science from Bridgewater State University and an MPH in Epidemiology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her research focuses on the intersection of physical activity and neurodivergence, particularly ADHD and autism. She hopes her current and future work will help elevate physical activity as a support service to improve health outcomes and overall quality of life for neurodivergent populations. Ann-Marie is an avid runner, completing 64 half-marathons in 37 different states. Additionally, along with her husband, Robert Cordeiro, Ann-Marie is a current Guinness World Record Holder for completing 11 half-marathons, in 11 days, in 11 different states as a married couple. Upon graduation, Ann-Marie plans to seek a faculty position and continue her physical activity research for neurodivergent populations.

I was honored and thrilled to learn of this award, and I am deeply appreciative of your generous support. As a doctoral candidate, completing my dissertation, this scholarship will greatly impact my success by allowing me the financial support to purchase supplies for my final study this summer. Thank you once again for your incredible generosity. It has made a significant impact and contribution, not only to my studies but also to moving the field of physical activity for neurodivergent populations forward.

The Rouzier Family Pre-Health Professional Scholarship

Marykate Callinan

Marykate Callinan

Marykate Callinan is set to graduate from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology in May of 2025. She plans to use this degree to become a physical therapist or occupational therapist. She became interested in this career path after tearing her ACL in high school athletics. She hopes to use her experience to help others go through similar challenges. Currently, she works with UMass Amherst's division 1 hockey team as an assistant athletic trainer where she gets to apply some of her experience and education to help others.

I am incredibly grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Rouzier Family Pre-Health Professional Scholarship. This scholarship enables me to pursue my academic endeavors with less financial burden. I can dedicate my semester to focusing on my grades, engaging in my internship with the UMass Sports Medicine program, and gaining valuable experience as a teaching assistant. Without this scholarship, I would not have the opportunity to devote as much time to these endeavors, which are crucial for completing my undergraduate degree and establishing a career path for myself.

Paulina Encarnacion

Paulina Encarnacion

Paulina Encarnacion is a senior Kinesiology student at UMass Amherst. Paulina volunteered with Best Friends Fitness, supporting neurodiverse students with tailored workouts, and deepening her dedication to inclusive health. She has found purpose in serving others by sharing her experiences and knowledge to help them discover the athlete within themselves. After graduation, she hopes to gain more hands-on experience working with clients and build a company to reach underserved communities. She aspires to continue influencing and aiding others in leading healthier lifestyles.

Your contribution has not only alleviated a significant financial burden for me but has also allowed me to fully immerse myself in my internship experience. Your support has not only enabled me to pursue my educational and career aspirations but has also provided me with the confidence and assurance to continue this path. I am grateful for your belief in me and for investing in my future.

Timothy Moynahan Award

Trey Peterson (at right) with retired Kinesiology faculty member Frank Rife

Trey Peterson

Trey Peterson will continue his education in the fall at the University of New England as he works toward obtaining his master's in athletic training with a goal of working in professional or collegiate hockey.

I am grateful for my journey here at UMass. Thank you so much to the donors and those who nominated me for this award. I will do my best to keep pushing through life the same Timothy Moynahan did when he was with us.