The SNS Dissertation Award is granted on an annual basis to an SNS member in good standing who is a student in, or an early career graduate of, a psychology doctoral program. The dissertation must have been completed within two years prior to the nomination and the topic must be relevant to sports neuropsychology.
Dr. Riegler was recognized for her dissertation entitled, Understanding the Influence of Sleep, a Modifiable Behavior, in Different Neuropsychological Populations," which explored the relations among insufficient sleep in athletes at baseline and its association with symptom reporting and neurocognitive performance at baseline, as well as its association with risk of sport-related concussion and its outcomes. Dr. Riegler found that, following SRC, sleep disturbed athletes reported more overall symptoms, were more likely to be symptomatic, and were marginally more likely to experience clinically significant depression compared to not sleep disturbed athletes. Results of her dissertation research will provide clinicians with information that can be used to better understand the cumulative impact of poor sleep in the context of concussion.
Dr. Riegler received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Neuropsychology from the Pennsylvania State University. Her dissertation chair and mentor was SNS member, Dr. Peter Arnett. Dr. Riegler completed her doctoral internship in the neuropsychology track at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. She joined Princeton Neuropsychology and the Sports Concussion Center of New Jersey in August 2023 as a post-doctoral fellow in neuropsychology.
The SNS is delighted to recognize Dr. Riegler’s contributions to sports neuropsychology at the level of her dissertation and looks forward to her future success.