Dr. Lopez, Gruett, Kanyal & Tesic Share RISE’s Research at the 2025 ACSM Annual Meeting

We were honored to have both our 2024 National Study Coordinators Ms. Mya Gruett (Columbia University, MPH, 2025) and Ms. Aakansha Kanyal (University of Arizona, B.S. 2027), Lead Intern Mr. Philip Tesic (Michigan University, B.S. 2028) and RISE Founder & Executive Director Dr. Victor Lopez Jr. D.O. all present at the 2025 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, hosted by the Georgia World Congress Center Authority in Atlanta, GA from May 27 – May 30.

Dr. Lopez, was an invitee at the “Death and Catastrophic Injuries in Sports: Beyond the Heart” symposium to present his presentation: “Rugby can Knock-on, but should not Knock-out! The Severity of Rugby Injuries”. He also presented the clinical case slide presentation titled “Illness – US Rugby Union (7-players-a-side)”.

Gruett presented her thematic poster “Differences in Nutritional Beliefs Among Elite Male and Female Rugby Athletes”, Kanyal presented her thematic poster “Assessing the Perceived Reliability of Nutritional Information Sources Among Elite Rugby Athletes” and Tesic presented his thematic poster “Exercise Induced Asthma Incidence in American Rugby 7s Athletes”.

Our group was fortunate enough to also have 1 other abstract accepted, titled “Macronutrient Knowledge Trends Among Elite Rugby Players from 2011 to 2021”.

(Mya Gruett, Columbia University MPH 2025, presents her research poster titled “Differences in Nutritional Beliefs Among Elite Male and Female Rugby Athletes.”)

(Aakansha Kanyal, University of Arizona BS 2027, presents her research poster titled “Assessing the Perceived Reliability of Nutritional Information Sources Among Elite Rugby Athletes.”)

(Philip Tesic, University of Michigan BS 2028, presents his research titled “Exercise Induced Asthma Incidence in American Rugby 7s Athletes.”)

As part of the conference program, residents and fellows presented clinical case slides focusing on chest and spine injuries. A distinguished panel—including Dr. Victor Lopez Jr., Dr. Todd May, and Dr. Philip Skiba—provided expert commentary and feedback, highlighting key clinical decision-making and interdisciplinary management strategies.

(Left to Right: Dr. Todd May, DO, FACSM, Intermountain Health; Dr. Philip Skiba, PhD, DO, FACSM, Thomas Jefferson University; Dr. Victor Lopez, DO, RISE)

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