Curriculum vitae

• Ph.D. Kinesiology, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, August 2021. Major: Adapted Physical Education Minor(s): Educational Leadership & Sport Management

• Chennapragada, S. (2021). “Sport and Physical Education for Persons with Disabilities in Telugu-Speaking States of India” [Doctoral Dissertation, Texas Woman’s University].

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• M.S. Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas, Kinesiology, May 2014. Major: Adapted Physical Activity - Disability Sport Emphasis.

• B.P.T (Physiotherapy) Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, India, December 2010. Title: Project Report on Role of Sport Psychology in Elite Sport Training & Injury Rehabilitation.

• Visiting Faculty, Sports Medicine, Health & Nutrition, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak, Term I, Fall/Spring 2025-2026.

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• Visiting Faculty, Sports Medicine, Health & Nutrition, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak, Term I, Spring 2025.

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• Guest Faculty, Paralympic Sport: Introduction to Sports Management, TransStadia University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Fall 2023.

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• Visiting Faculty, Sports Medicine, Health & Nutrition, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak, Term II, Spring 2023 – Fall 2023.

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• Visiting Faculty, Government and Sports: Policies and Its Implications, Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Rohtak, Term V, Fall 2022 – Spring 2023.

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• Paralympics as a Career for Kinesiology Graduates in KINS 1801, Introduction to Kinesiology, Department of Kinesiology, Texas Woman’s University. Spring 2019.

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• Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralympic Sport in KINS 2623, Adapted Physical Activity, Department of Kinesiology, Texas Woman’s University. Fall 2018.

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• Wheelchair Sport Performance in KINS 2623, Adapted Physical Activity, Department of Kinesiology, Texas Woman’s University. Summer 2018.

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• Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralympic Sport in KINS 2623, Adapted Physical Activity, Department of Kinesiology, Texas Woman’s University. Spring 2018.

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• Behavior Management and Interventions in KINS 5793: Behavior Management in APE Environments, Department of Kinesiology, Texas Woman’s University, Fall 2016.

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• Founder Director, Program Development for Indian Wheelchair Tennis Tour (IWTT), An Astha Initiative, India, June 2018 – May 2024. Established wheelchair tennis development camps to recruit individuals with physical disabilities in India for ongoing training programs. Designed and managed the training curriculum while coordinating essential support services.

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• Postdoctoral Research Associate and Project Coordinator, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, October 2023 - September 2024.

• Lead, Programs & Outreach, The Spinal Foundation (TSF), India, March 2021 – October 2021. Developing research and field activities for setting up India’s First Spinal Cord Injury Registry. Guide community service leaders and peer mentors in field tasks.

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• Graduate Research Associate for Office of English Language Acquisition Federal Grant Project ELLevate, College of Professional Education (COPE), Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, October 2016 – March 2018.

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• Graduate Assistant for Project SMARTTTEL (Federal Grant), College of Professional Education (COPE), Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, January 2015 – September 2016.

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• Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Science (CAS), Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, January 2013 – December 2014.

• Invited Resource Person. ‘Sports Inclusion & Diversity: Australian Frameworks & Academic Pathways: Indian Context Setting’ at Driving Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion in Sports: Australia–India Collaborative Pathways by Acumen, Part of Sannam s4 Group (Virtual), on October 21, 2026.

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• Invited Resource Person. ‘Reframing Inclusive Physical Education Movement, Access, and Equity in School Contexts’ at National Conference on Sports for All, Progress for All, Faculty of General & Adapted Physical Education and Yoga, Rama Krishna Mission Vivekananda University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India on February 27, 2026.

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• Invited Expert, Open House Discussion on Human Rights and Sports, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, November 1, 2022.

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• Speaker, Sports for Persons with Disabilities in India: The Story So Far and The Way Forward, Center for Women’s Development Studies, An Autonomous research institute supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, July 29, 2022.

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• Speaker, Discussion on Draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2021, Core Group on Disabilities to discuss Draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2021, National Human Rights Commission, New Delhi, July 26, 2022.

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• Speaker, Draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, 2021: Expectations, Assurances and Realities, GNLU Center for Disability Studies (GCDS), Gujarat National Law University, July 5, 2022.

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• Speaker, Sports: Chapter 8 Recommendations, National Consultation on Draft National Policy for Persons with Disabilities, National Platform for Rights of the Disabled, June 25, 2022.

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• Speaker, Janta Parliament: Response to the Monsoon Session ‘21 for the session on Gender, Disability, Dalits, Adivasis, September 10, 2021.

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• Resource Person, Sport Governance & Ground Realities: India’s Disability Sport Scene, Webinar for Indian Lawyers, Artha Foundation, February 6, 2021.

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• Speaker, Physical Activity and Health Programs for Active Aging, Conference on Ageing, Disability & Community Health by Bharathidasan University – Heritage Center for Gerontology, Social Work in association with Prajaahita Foundation, December 6, 2020.

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• Resource Person, Sports Law in India: A Human Development Perspective, Webinar for Indian Lawyers, Artha Foundation, November 28, 2020.

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• Resource Person, Physical Activity and Children with Special Needs, Facebook Live Session, Nayi Disha Resource Center, November 26, 2020.

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• Resource Person, 21st Century Skills for Sport Coaches, Get Out and Play India, August 2, 2020.

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• Resource Person, Sport and Physical Education for Your Child: Parent Workshop, Nayi Disha Resource Center, July 8, 2020.

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• Resource Person, Coaching Children with Disabilities to Get Out and Play, Get Out and Play India, July 5, 2020.

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• Speaker, Using Sports to Advocate for Inclusion and Disability Rights, Board of Disabled Cricket India, September 6, 2020.

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• Speaker, Preparing to Publish, Physiotherapy Teacher’s Consortium, May 31, 2020.

Invited Chapters

• Chennapragada, S. (2024). Beyond Spelling Bees and Curries: Teaching Indian Students Beyond the Physical Education Classrooms. In Critical Race Studies in Physical Education, Critical Race Studies in Physical Education Volume II. Tara Blackshear and Brian Culp (Eds). Human Kinetics.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2025). ‘Indian disability sport’: Thriving through adversity. In Women Working in Sport. Jenny Coe & Dr. Amy Whitehead (Eds). Sequoia Books. United Kingdom.

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Refereed articles

• Chennapragada, S & Jain, S (2020). Demystifying India’s Paralympic Movement: Overview of Legislation, Sport Governance and Ground Realities. The International Sports Law Journal, 20, 191-200.

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• Hansen-Thomas, H., & Chennapragada, S. (2018). Culture Clash in the Multicultural Classroom: A Case Study from A Newcomer School. English Language Teaching,11(4),9.

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Non-refereed articles

• Chennapragada, S., & Misra, A. (2021). Female Deaf Athlete Sameeha Barwin snubbed for the World Meet in Poland. Feminism in India (Online Portal).

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• Muralidharan, V., & Chennapragada, S. (2021). In para sports, reality behind the glitz. The Indian Express. Chennai. Tamil Nadu.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2021). Marching beyond medals, India has to secure its Paralympics future. The Bridge, Sports News Portal in India. Bengaluru, Karnataka.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2021). The failed state of disability rights inside the Indian Paralympic movement. The Bridge, Sports News Portal in India. Bengaluru, Karnataka.

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• Jain, S., & Chennapragada, S. (2020). Developing wheelchair tennis programs: Lessons from India. Sport and Dev. Bienne, Switzerland.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2019). Diamonds and Dust of India's Paralympic World. The Bridge, Sports News Portal in India. Bengaluru, Karnataka.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2019). Managing the Medals: A Peek into India’s Paralympic World. The Bridge, Sports News Portal in India. Bengaluru, Karnataka.

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Invited

• Chennapragada, S. (2020). Webinar Lecture on ‘Understanding Indian Legislation for Inclusive Physical Education and Adapted Sports’ at International Webinar Series on Inclusive Adapted Physical Education on 24th October 2020, Rama Krishna Mission Vivekananda University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India (Presenter).

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• Chennapragada, S. (2020). Lecture on ‘Interdisciplinary Lesson Planning to Teach 21st Century Skill’ at Education and Adapted Physical Education: Traditional and New Approaches in Developing 21st Century Skills for Students with Special Needs” on 21st February 2020, Rama Krishna Mission Vivekananda University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India (Presenter).

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• Chennapragada, S. (2016). Symposium on ‘Rehabilitation through Adapted Sports: Current Status and Future Directions’ at KIMS College of Physiotherapy, on 1st January 2016, Secunderabad, Telangana, India (Presenter).

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• Hansen-Thomas, H., Grosso-Richens, L., & Chennapragada, S. (2015). SMARTTTEL: How a Professional Development Program is Doubling its Effects in Rural Schools. Presented at Office of English Language Acquisition Meeting, Washington D.C, District of Columbia.

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Refereed

• Chennapragada, S. (2025). Supporting Immigrant Children and Facilities from SAARC Nations: Inclusive Strategies and Practices. Association Internationale des Écoles Supérieures d'Éducation Physique. The International Organization for Physical Education in Higher Education’s Annual Conference: Making Waves. Tampa, Florida.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2023). Demystifying Adapted Physical Activity and Sports for the Genetic Counselling Community in India. Board of Genetic Counselling, India’s 8th Annual (International) Conference. Hyderabad. India.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2023). India’s Wheelchair Tennis Story: Beyond the Courts & Competitions. Move United Education Conference. Louisville. Kentucky.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2023). Not Reinventing the Wheel: Engaging Physiotherapists to Improve Adapted Sports in SAARC Nations. Khor Fakkan International Scientific Conference. Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates.

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• Chennapragada, S., & Dillon, L. (2022). Brown Girls in the Ring. NAKHE Annual National Conference. Phoenix, Arizona.

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• Chennapragada, S. & Dillon, S. R. (2019). Document analysis of disability sport policy in India: Predicaments and possibilities. International Symposium for Adapted Physical Activity, Virginia.

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• Chennapragada, S., Jain, S., & Dillon, S. R. (2018). Demystifying India: A Disability Sport Perspective. Disability Sport: What Will Its Legacy Be? Birmingham, United Kingdom.

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• Chennapragada, S. & Dillon, S. R. (2016). How Can We Solve India’s Adapted Physical Education Crisis? Presented at Practices and Challenges Encountered in Implementing Related to Special Education, Sports and Adapted Games, Coimbatore, India (Presenter).

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• Chennapragada, S. & Dillon, S. R. (2016). Challenges Facing India's Adapted Physical Activity Programs. National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities National Conference, Washington, District of Columbia.

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• Chennapragada, S., & Weatherford, G. (2016). Immigration Trends in Higher Education and Its Application to Kinesiology Programs. National Association of Kinesiology in Higher Education Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida.

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• Chennapragada., S & Dillon, S. R. (2016). Solving India’s Paralympic Problems: Looking Beyond the Surface. Cultural Connections Leadership Conference. Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas.

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• Chennapragada., S, Griner, K., & Weatherford, G. (2017). Presence of Adapted Physical Activity and Disability Sport in Sport Management Programs within United States. TWU Student Research Symposium. Texas Woman’s University.

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• Chennapragada, S, & Silliman-French, L. (2016). Behavior Management Challenges by Paraeducators in Adapted Physical Education Settings. TWU Graduate Student Research Symposium, Denton, Texas.

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• Chennapragada, S. (2015). Undergraduate Kinesiology Students' Attitudes Towards Service Learning in Special Olympics Certification Programs. National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities, Washington D.C, District of Columbia.

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• Chennapragada, S, & Davis, R. (2014). Comparison of Adapted Physical Education Services for Students with Disabilities in India and USA. Student Creative Arts and Research Symposium, Denton, Texas.

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• 2026 - Moderator: Panel 1: Redefining Systems: Para Sport, Classification, and the Future of Inclusion in India, at Adapted Sports India Conclave 2026, Hyderabad, Telangana, India on October 3, 2026.

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• 2026 - Panelist: Discussion 1: Inclusive Physical Education and the Sustainable Development Goals: Policy, Practice, and Grassroots Implementation, at National Conference on Sports for All, Progress for All, Faculty of General & Adapted Physical Education and Yoga, Rama Krishna Mission Vivekananda University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India on February 26, 2026.

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• Peer Reviewer, Disability and Rehabilitation Journal

• 2023 – Panelist/Presenter: Vinyash’s Webinar on Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy – Diagnosis to Therapeutics, on September 7, 2023.

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• 2021 - Panelist, 2020: Swadhikaar’s Webinar on Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Disability Related Guidelines for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States, September 11, 2020.

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• Moderator, 2020: Podium Presentations, National Conference on National level Conference on “Inclusive Education and Adapted Physical Education: Traditional and New Approaches in Developing 21st Century Skills for Students with Special Needs” on 21st February 2020, Rama Krishna Mission Vivekananda University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India (Moderator).

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• Panelist, 2019: 2nd Indian Congress for Persons with Disabilities, Bangalore, India. Sports for Persons with Disabilities in India.

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• Moderator, 2018: Charcha Series organized by Astha, Bangalore, India. Barriers for Implementing Sports and Physical Activity Programs for Children with Disabilities.

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• Moderator, 2016: Podium Presentation, National Conference on “Practices and Challenges Encountered in Implementing Related to Special Education, Sports and Adapted Games” RamaKrishna Mission Vivekananda University, Faculty of General and Adapted Physical Education and Yoga, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.

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• Panelist, 2015: National Conference on CSR & Sports, by Government of India, Sports Authority of India and FICCI Sports, New Delhi, India. Funding Disability Sport Initiatives.

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• Chennapragada, S., (2026). Lincoln Global Law Chambers, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

• Chennapragada, S., Donepudi, M., & Vangala, K. (2016). Mahila Arogya Vikas Grant, Boston Scientific Corporation.

• 2019: Guest of Honor, Inaugural Annual Sports Day, Mount Banyan Global School, Ameerpet, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India.

• 2019: Alumni Association Student Scholarship, Alumni Association Student Scholarship, Texas Woman’s University.

• 2018: May Helen Lomax Award, College of Health Sciences, Office of the Dean. Texas Woman’s University.

• 2016: Experiential Graduate Student Scholar, Experiential Graduate Student Scholar Program, Quality Enhancement Program. Texas Woman’s University.

• 2015: Travel Grant, Office of Student Life.

• Student Representative on Board of Directors, National Consortium of Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities, 2017 – 2019.

• Peer Reviewer, Global report on assistive technology. Geneva: World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 2022. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.

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• Accessibility and Adapted Sport: Accessibility Audit for Shantivan, A Home for Children with Intellectual Disabilities (India), 2018.

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• Adapted Sports Volunteer, National Wheelchair Basketball Technical Camp, Volunteer, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India, Hyderabad (India), 2016.

• Kidnetics Games, Key Track Official, Annual Kidnetic Games, St. Mark's School, Dallas (Texas), 2013 – 2016.

• Class A Volunteer, Special Olympics Texas, 2013 – 2016.

• Score Recorder, Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament, Special Olympics Texas, 2013.

• Outstanding Student Alumni Awards Committee, Alumni Association, Texas Woman’s University, 2018 – 2019.

• Hallmark Alumni & Distinguished Alumni Award Committee. Alumni Association. Texas Woman’s University, 2018.

• Vice-President, Community, Graduate Student Council. Texas Woman’s University, 2017.

• Student Union Board for the New Union Design. Texas Woman’s University, 2015.

• Photography Services for Department of Kinesiology, 2013 – 2016.

• Student Library Advisory Group (SLAG), Blagg-Huey Library, Texas Woman’s University, 2012 – 2013.

• Organizing Committee, Texas Open Wheelchair Championship, Dallas Wheelchair Tennis Club, May, 2024.

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• Organizing Committee, Mumbai Open 1, All India Tennis Association Ranking Tournament for Wheelchair Tennis, Navi Mumbai Sports Association, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Fall 2022.

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• Disability Sport Consultant, Ektha, Chennai, India, March 2021- December 2021.

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• Organizing Committee, Charminar Open 2, All India Tennis Association Ranking Tournament for Wheelchair Tennis, L B Stadium, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India, Fall 2019.

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• Director, Grant Writing Services, VT Seva USA, Director, Grant Writing Services: Responsible for authoring grant applications to fund women’s cancer screening camps and educational activities at the organization’s blind schools in South India, 2015 – 2016.

• Volunteer Photographer, National Para badminton Championship 2015, India, 2015.

• Guest Moderator at US Screening of Goonga Pehelwan: The Deaf Wrestler. Moderated post- screening discussion between Prateek Gupta (Director/Producer), Virender Singh (Deaf Wrestler), and US audience, 2016.

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• International Federation for Adapted Physical Activity, 2015 – Present.

• National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities, 2015 – Present.

• National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education, 2016 – Present.

• Paralympic Athletics National Classifier Training Course, Phoenix, Arizona. 2017.

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• SafeSport Trained, U.S. Center for SafeSportTM, 2022.

• Certified Disability Sport Specialist, 2015, Atlanta, Georgia.

• CITI Social & Behavioral Researcher, 2023 – 2027.