PhD '26 Alumni
(enrolled 2022-2026)
Dissertation title and PhD Research
Musculoskeletal Injury Risk in a Multi-Stressor Environment: Evaluation of Physical and Psychosocial Determinants of Health in U.S. Military Cadets:
The purpose of Meredith's dissertation was to empirically evaluate musculoskeletal injury among the cadet population and identify risk factors, both physical and psychosocial, for sustaining a musculoskeletal injury during Cadet Initial Military Training. She performed a longitudinal prospective field study at the US Coast Guard Academy. The findings from her study suggested that a statistical model that includes psychosocial metrics outperforms models that focus solely on physical predictors and the way that psychosocial metrics impact injury may be as effect modifiers. Future efforts will include the inclusion of physiological data and serial assessment of stress throughout training.
Following graduation, Dr. Young attained a role as Assistant Professor in Physical Therapy Department at Johnson and Wales University.
Her current research interests continue to be the evaluation of musculoskeletal injury in high performance/athletic populations with a focus on psychosocial and physiological predictors of injury. Goals include understanding how holistic stressors, including REDs, impact injury risk and return to sport outcomes..
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Movement and Rehabilitation Science: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
- Doctor of Physical Therapy: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Publications
Effects of kinematic vibrotactile feedback on learning to control a virtual prosthetic arm.
Presentations
Applying Wearable Technology and Remote Monitoring To Manage Acute Distress and Improve Population Health at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting.
Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injuries among Cadets at U.S. Coast Guard Academy at the MGH Institute of Health Professions Doctoral Seminar