Assistant Professor
Master of Science in Athletic Training
mrawlins@sdsu.edu
Office: ENS TBD
EDUCATION:
- Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship, 2021, A.T. University, Sport-Related Concussion
- Ph.D., 2019, University of Georgia, Kinesiology, cognate in Athletic Training
- M.S., 2014, A.T. University, Athletic Training
- B.S., 2011, Linfield College, Athletic Training
BIO:
I was born and raised in Oregon. As with many Oregonians, I have a love for amazing scenery and an affinity for the earthier side of life. You can find me enjoying a great book, delicious meal, and group fitness class. Some fun facts about me are that I love shoes of all kinds and my favorite food is chocolate ice cream. I met my husband as an undergraduate athletic training student. He has joined me in the trek across the country and now in San Diego. He grew up in California, so we feel fortunate to be back on the West Coast. You can catch us walking our 120lb bullmastiff named Moose and enjoying all of the outdoor activities San Diego has to offer.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
In the classroom, I aim to prepare health care professionals by utilizing many real-world experiences often from my own clinical practice, inspire lifelong learning, and teach a variety of learning styles. It is greatly important to me that I create a conducive learning environment. As an athletic trainer, I bring my own clinical experiences to the classroom. I have found students are very interested in this part of my teaching and it paints, albeit a faint, picture of what a career in athletic training may resemble or relate to. I seek to teach translational information students may utilize in their future health care career or even later that day at their clinical sites. Overall, I really enjoy teaching while continuing to strive for improvement and opportunities to share my knowledge with those willing to learn.
RESEARCH INTEREST:
My primary research interest is related to understanding why individuals seek medical care for a suspected concussion and designing effective educational strategies to influence this care seeking behavior. I have studied concussion disclosure in collegiate athletes, ice hockey athletes, and United States Air Force Academy cadets. I am also interested in concussion and whole person health care including mental health, psychosocial, and academic considerations following the injury. Currently, I aim to continue to examine factors related to concussion disclosure, but also examine nutrition practices and medical disqualification as related to concussion.