UT Arlington kinesiology professor honored with young investigator award

The National Association for Sport and Physical Education has chosen University of Texas at Arlington assistant professor Priscila Caçola to receive its Lolas E. Halverson Motor Development Young Investigator Award. The award honors researchers who received their doctorate within the past five years and have already made significant contributions to the field of motor development.

In 2011, Caçola established the Developmental Motor Cognition Lab at UT Arlington’s College of Education and Health Professions. Her research focuses on the cognitive links that may exist to low motor skills in children. This fall, she started the Little Mavs Movement Academy, an interactive motor skill intervention program to help children and adolescents with movement and coordination difficulties.

“In the short time she's been here, Dr. Cacola has established an active research laboratory, become a mentor to undergraduate and graduate students and made connections in the community that have resulted in real change for children and their families,” said Louise Fincher, chair of the UT Arlington kinesiology department. “We expect to continue to see great things from her in the years to come."

Caçola said she appreciates the recognition of her work.

“I love what I do and look forward to expanding the lab's current work and the field of motor development," she said.

The Halverson award will be presented to Caçola in April at the national conference of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Priscila Caçola is one of the outstanding faculty at The University of Texas at Arlington, a comprehensive institution of more than 33,800 students and more than 2,200 faculty members in the heart of North Texas. Visit www.uta.edu to learn more.

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