Rick Cherwitz and Stefanie Sanford, Office of Graduate Studies

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Editor's note: Arete is an ancient Greek word for virtue, describing the quest for individual excellence. In this regular feature of On Campus, the University salutes its graduate students--whose considerable contributions to the academy and larger community are truly virtuous. These features will be framed and posted in the lobby of the Office of Graduate Studies, Main 101.

She received her professional degree in physical therapy in 1994 from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio and her master's degree in exercise physiology at UT Austin in 1997. She currently is a doctoral candidate in kinesiology and health education with a focus on motor control and learning.

Her dissertation research includes a computer model of human standing balance, which will aid rehabilitation techniques used with the elderly. She has presented her work at a number of professional conferences around the country and has been the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships including, a 1998 AASAP scholarship, the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, the National Minority Scholarship for Excellence, and the Academic Excellence Scholarship.

Gobert has taught a number of courses, including biomechanics and applied exercise physiology at UT and several continuing education courses for health care professionals in the Austin community. Along with her research and teaching, Gobert also maintains a physical therapy practice, which mirrors her research interest in balance disorders, and was instrumental in establishing one of the first clinical balance centers in Austin.

In addition to serving as co-chair of the Graduate Student Assembly for the 1998-99 school year, Gobert has been tapped to serve on a number of campus committees, including the Presidential and Provost Search committees.

NOTE: Nominations (including self-nominations) for ARETE should be sent to Stefanie.Sanford@bus.utexas.edu (232-1613).