Ashley Troutman is preparing to graduate and finish her Dual Doctorate of Physical Therapy & Ph.D. in Health Sciences & Rehabilitation Sciences this month. She defended her dissertation, which explores intervention effects on musculoskeletal health and physical function in CKD-MBD using a rat model, in October.
This time is especially significant for Troutman, who began her undergraduate educational career studying exercise science with the School of Health & Human Sciences (SHHS) in 2013. Troutman went on to earn her M.S. in kinesiology with SHHS, demonstrating the value of her education, commitment to her field and multidisciplinary expertise.
More than a decade later, Troutman now reflects on the people, opportunities and support that allowed her to grow her knowledge and pursue her research.
“When I started my undergraduate career at IU Indianapolis, I never expected to work in research,” Troutman noted. “I knew I wanted to attend PT school and that I needed to find opportunities to make myself stand out when I applied. The life health sciences internship provided me with an opportunity to work with a PT faculty member in their research lab, which ultimately lead to a newfound passion for research.”
“I was always encouraged to do research but was nervous to apply to a research position,” she continued, “and all my undergraduate professors encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone. My decision to apply was a pivotal moment that eventually led me to pursue the dual-degree program.”
A few faculty members helped motivate Troutman. “Former professor Mary Beth Brown and associate professor Keith Avin gave me the confidence to pursue research,” she shared. Both Avin and Brown have been supportive of my research interests and instrumental in developing the necessary research skills while fostering my confidence to do so.”
As Troutman thinks about her time at SHHS, the word community consistently comes to the forefront. She believes the SHHS community played a crucial role in her success, particularly the support and resources she received from faculty.
When asked why she continued to pursue not one, but four degrees with SHHS, Troutman shared, “The faculty—at each stage of my educational career, the faculty at SHHS have been extraordinarily supportive.”
Troutman graduates this month and will continue her journey within IU in a post-doctoral position in the IU School of Medicine, Division of Nephrology & Hypertension. The post doc will develop experience needed for her to become a faculty member in a DPT program—Troutman’s long-term career goal.
SHHS faculty and staff celebrate Troutman’s educational milestone and thank her for being an exemplary member of the SHHS community—particularly her work as a graduate assistant, where she made a tremendous impact on other students. We’re confident she will extend her legacy as a future educator and researcher.