Rebecca Lopez, PhD, ATC, CSCS – Associate Professor & Assistant School Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was recently designated a 2022 National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Fellow. NATA Fellow status recognizes members of the association who have demonstrated outstanding professional scholarly achievement in combination with service to the profession. Only the most accomplished scholars in the athletic training profession earn this honor and distinction and are allowed to use the prestigious designation of “FNATA”.

At a minimum, Fellow’s candidates need to clearly demonstrate in their application materials having met the following requirements:

• NATA member in good standing.
• 10 years BOC certification.
• 10 years membership in NATA.
• Have held a terminal degree for ten or more years.
• Sustained involvement in the dissemination of research through free communications and / or general program presentations at NATA annual meetings during the 10 years preceding application.
• Demonstrated development and leadership of a research agenda, extending beyond serving as a contributor, resulting in the scholarly dissemination of work resulting in noteworthy impact on the Athletic Training profession.

Dr. Lopez has been a member of NATA for 26 years and has been involved in the following areas/committees.

• Co-Chair, NATA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Access Task Force (2021 – present)
• Chair, NATA LGBTQ+ Advisory Committee, (2020 – present)
  • Committee Member of LGBTQ Advisory Committee (2017 – 2020)
• NATA’s Pronouncements Committee, Committee Member (2017-2020)
• Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (SEATA) Research & Education Committee, Committee Member (2014-2017)
• Secretary, Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida (2015-2017)
• NATA Research & Education Foundation, State Representative (Florida), 2013 – 2018
• NATA Position Statement on Exertional Heat Illnesses, Working Group Member, 2013-2015

Her research interests include exertional heat illness, hydration, cooling in athletes, and preventing death from exertional heat stroke and similar conditions (i.e. concussions, exertional sickling). Some of her recent peer-reviewed publications and presentations have focused on LGBTQ+ issues and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Lopez has published 59 peer-reviewed publications, 14 book chapters, and edited a book on hydration and heat-related illness. She has delivered over 150 presentations at local, state, national, and international levels.

To learn more about NATA Fellows visit: https://www.nata.org/membership/honors-and-awards/fellows