Elbin Named to Distinguished Alumni Group at University of New Orleans

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R.J. Elbin

R.J. Elbin, assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Arkansas, was selected as one of 50 alumni of the University of New Orleans honored recently during the 50^th anniversary of the College of Education and Human Development there.

Ann O’Hanlon, a departmental chair in the college, said the faculty chose 50 alumni from the five programs within the college based on their significant professional achievements. The college considers these alumni to be ambassadors of the college because of their good work, she said.

The alumni were honored at a celebration last month in New Orleans.

“R.J. Elbin was a clear choice for one of these awards,” O’Hanlon said. “We are proud to call him one of our graduates.”

Elbin joined the faculty of the College of Education and Health Professions last fall. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of New Orleans. His doctorate is from Michigan State University, and he came to the University of Arkansas after completing a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.

Elbin studies the neurocognitive, physical, and psychosocial effects of sport-related concussion in youth and college-age athletes. He directs the new Office for Sport Concussion Research. It focuses on teaching people involved in youth sports how to recognize concussions, and he and two graduate students are working with medical personnel to collect data about young athletes’ recovery from concussions.