Doctoral candidate receives UGA’s 2024 Presidential Graduate Fellow Award

Kalpaka Pradip (Ph.D. ’27), a doctoral candidate in the Department of Kinesiology, recently received the University of Georgia’s 2024 Presidential Graduate Fellow Award, the institution’s most prestigious fellowship award for incoming doctoral students.

“Receiving this fellowship is a tremendous honor and a reflection of my dedication to advancing knowledge in the field of biomechanics, particularly with regard to ACL injury research in adolescent athletes,” said Pradip, who received her master’s degree in human movement and rehabilitation science from Northeastern University.

The fellowship, which recognizes recipients for their scholarship and potential for success, offers students four years of annual stipend and travel support in addition to departmental assistantships and tuition waivers.

This year’s group of 22 incoming fellows will also receive professional development and networking opportunities from the Graduate School throughout their program of study.

“This fellowship not only provides invaluable support for my academic journey, but also inspires me to further contribute to the scientific community,” said Pradip. “This represents a milestone in my doctoral career and a commitment to excellence in research that will positively impact the lives of athletes.”

During her undergraduate studies at Queens University of Charlotte, Pradip worked as a lab assistant in the Exercise Physiology Lab, gaining experience in exercise science. She also interned as a research assistant at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Disability Participation and Quality of Life Lab, focusing on para-athletes and their rehabilitation process.

After graduating, she worked as a research fellow at the Emory Sports Performance and Research Center, concentrating on ACL injury prevention and recovery.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Pradip contributes to the community through her involvement with UNICEF, the Queens University Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, and more.