Scotland Saltire Scholarship success

Chantal Groot, a UDOTS student studying MRes in Sports Biomechanics & Rehabilitation, was awarded a Scotland’s Saltire Scholarship for 2021-2022. 

The scholarship awards EU and EEA students £8000 and is an incredible opportunity for students to study at world-leading universities with a long tradition of academic excellence in Scotland. Chosen scholars are individuals who aspire to become influential leaders in their future careers. They have wide-ranging interests outside their studies and a desire to broaden their personal and academic experience in Scotland.

Chantal was asked why she chose to study in Scotland and describe the benefits that joining this international scholar network would bring her. Her current research explores gait modification and retraining as a clinical treatment for knee osteoarthritis, supervised by Dr Andrew J. Murphy.

Chantal obtained a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, USA. She is passionate about applied biomechanics, specifically lower extremity biomechanics, and movement compensation patterns. She previously interned within the VCU Kinesiology and Health Sciences Department in the musculoskeletal biomechanics lab and is currently gaining more experience in healthcare settings concerning her interests. Chantal also holds a variety of certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine as an Exercise Physiologist and the American Red Cross in professional CPR, First Aid, AED, Emergency Oxygen Delivery, Lifeguarding, and Water Safety Instruction.

Dr Andrew J. Murphy, MRes Sports Biomechanics & Rehabilitation programme lead, commented:

“It has been a genuine pleasure working with Chantal this year, she has a superb work ethic and a real passion for the field of applied biomechanics. Chantal is incredibly proactive in seeking out opportunities to enhance her own academic (and other) experiences, and is eager and able to take ownership of her own work, she has overcome obstacles with determination and poise, and always operates with great professionalism. Chantal is keen to support her peers and has often volunteered to undertake activities that are to the benefit of others. I also know that Chantal has taken advantage of her time in Dundee to pursue a range of non-academic activities, and I am sure that she will have enriched these for all of her companions. Chantal is a credit to the University of Dundee, and the Saltire Scholarship programme.”