Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series of notable alumni profiles for Spring 2023.
Pursuing higher education is one of the most unpredictable yet challenging paths. For some people finding what they want to do is the process, for others their interests are clear from the start. For spring graduate Andrew Monaghan, his experience was the latter. His interest in sports, exercise and kinesiology has always been at the center of his life.
A native of Northern Ireland, Andrew Monaghan graduates with a Diploma and Master of Excellence Medallion to graduate with a cumulative 4.0 GPA, plus a PhD in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences.
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Originally from Rusfriland, Northern Ireland, Monahan felt moving to the United States was the right choice.
“I am passionate about sports and enjoy a variety of sporting activities. Running is my personal favorite and I have completed three marathons so far. In addition to running, I enjoy playing football (or football as it is known in some parts of the world) with a group from Ireland here in the Valley. We are zygotic twins, and my twin brother also did a PhD on a very similar subject from Auburn University,” he said.
Supported by a full-ride sports scholarship, Trackster attended Mississippi State University and competed while earning his degree. In 2016, she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a focus on Clinical Exercise Physiology.
Monaghan continued her education at Colorado State University, where she was a graduate teaching and research assistant and earned a master’s degree in health and exercise science. He worked closely with Brett Fling at the Sensorimotor Neuroimaging Lab. This is when his career trajectory began to take shape.
The “haha” moment is thanks to Dr. Brett Fring, who I worked with at Colorado State University. One of his early research projects was to study how the left and right hemispheres of the brain interact using a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation. This involved administering electromagnetic pulses to the scalp and observing the resulting response,” he explained.
Motivated and inspired by what he learned, Monahan knew that working in neurorehabilitation research was his calling.
“I was fascinated by this experience and wanted to delve deeper into the mechanisms behind how our brains control our ability to walk and maintain balance,” he said.
Fueled by my experience as an athlete and my qualifications in kinesiology and sports medicine, I felt the decision to pursue this career path was appropriate.Arizona State University was the ideal place to establish my roots.
“I moved to Arizona to work with ASU’s Daniel Peterson, PhD, who has been with us since 2019,” Monaghan said.
Fueled by programs and opportunities from the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), the Graduate College, and the College of Health Solutions, Monogan feels ready to tackle the next chapter.
Monaghan graduates with a PhD in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences. In addition to diploma notation, Graduates with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 will be awarded the Master’s Distinguished Medallion. W.e asked some questions about his experience at ASU and his future plans.
Question: What did you learn while at ASU (in the classroom or elsewhere) that surprised you or changed your perspective?
answer: My experience working with individuals suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease has given me a deep understanding of the importance of mobility and the complexity of neuroregulation for gait and balance. Mobility is a fundamental component of independence, and impairment of this ability can have a severe impact on an individual’s quality of life. My involvement in neurorehabilitation research focused on enhancing gait and balance in these people has been incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: The main reason I chose ASU was the exceptional research done here. I was particularly drawn to Peterson’s work studying balance in people with Parkinson’s disease. When I learned that Dr. Peterson was looking for his PhD student, I jumped at the chance to work with him.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson at ASU?
A: With so many valuable insights, it is difficult to pinpoint a single key lesson learned from mentor Peterson. The importance of continuing.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you give students?
A: Take advantage of the breadth of expertise offered by ASU’s highly talented and diverse faculty. Here in the Valley we have world-renowned experts in a variety of fields. If you want to know about their research, feel free to contact them, even if you feel like an impostor. In most cases, these faculty are happy to help.
Q: Where is your favorite place on campus?
A: One of my favorite spots on campus is the Hayden Library. When I was in class, I would often find myself working on projects and assignments in the courtyard outside the library. If I need to concentrate more, find a private study room and go there immediately. I also like coffee shops, so I used to drink coffee at Memorial Union and chat with my friends.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: After graduating in May, I am excited to embark on a new journey as a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. My research focuses on how the brain controls balance in Parkinson’s disease. Ultimately, my long-term goal is to become a professor and lead a lab. I am passionate about contributing to neurorehabilitation and equally passionate about teaching students. We aim to
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on earth, what would you do?
A: I may be biased because of my research interests, but I would like to direct these funds to efforts to identify the root causes of Parkinson’s disease, with the ultimate goal of preventing Parkinson’s disease entirely. .