Personal Statement Jay Hertel is the Joe H. Gieck Professor of Sports Medicine at the University of Virginia. He directs UVA’s graduate programs in Athletic Training & Sports Medicine and is co-director of the Exercise & Sport Injury Lab. His primary area of research deals with lateral ankle instability which he studies from a multifactorial perspective using diverse methods ranging from laboratory-based assessments of biomechanics and motor control to evidence-based practice principles inherent to clinical epidemiology. Dr. Hertel has authored or co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and presented at numerous national and international sports medicine conferences. His research has been funded by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Research & Education Foundation, American Physical Therapy Association, and the National Football League Charities. Dr. Hertel is a fellow of both the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. In 2011, he received the Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research, the highest career research award in athletic training. Dr. Hertel is a senior associate editor for the Journal of Athletic Training and a member of the international advisory board for Physical Therapy in Sport.