CBCS Student Receives Internship at the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic

Angie Sardina, a PhD student in the Department of Aging Studies in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, has received a travel grant from Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.  She will participate in research at the University aimed at developing strategies to improve balance, with the ultimate goal of this research being to reduce the risk of falls among older adults. Ms. Sardina, a first-year student in the School, will learn a new method, dynamic neuromuscular stabilization, during her stay at Charles University. 

This technique will assist Ms. Sardina’s own research, “I am so fortunate to have been awarded this incredible opportunity to assist in research at one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Learning more about balance and dynamic neuromuscular stabilization from leading clinicians and researchers in the field will be extremely beneficial for me as I continue to explore different ways to reduce falls in older adults.”

This opportunity became available due to her advisor Dr. Ross Andel’s ties with the School of Rehabilitation at Charles University.  According to Dr. Andel, “This is a unique opportunity for Angie to learn great new skills, for the collaboration with Charles University to grow, and ultimately for our ability to move this area of research toward effective prevention of falls among older adults.”  Dr. Andel’s own work includes collaboration with colleagues from the Rehabilitation School at Charles University, as well as with the Czech Brain Ageing Study, also at Charles University, where the focus is on target spatial navigation memory as a potential early sign of cognitive impairment.

Charles University in Prague, founded in 1348, is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic and ranks in the upper 1.5 percent of the world’s best universities.  For more information about this and other opportunities with Dr. Andel, contact him at randel@usf.edu.   For more information on the School of Aging Studies, see the website.  For more information regarding the Charles University of Prague, see its website.