We are pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Fred Nelson Scientific Communication Award:
John Drazan, PhD
Dr. John Drazan is an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Fairfield University where he directs the Community Situated Biomechanics Lab. His multidisciplinary research focuses on orthopedic biomechanics, muscle mechanics, and STEM Education through sports. In addition to his technical research, Dr. Drazan serves as STEM Director for 4th Family Incorporated, a grassroot non-profit based started by his college basketball teammate, John Scott. Since 2013, Dr. Drazan’s programs at 4th Family have engaged tens of thousands of youth athletes STEM learning across the country at venues such as the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, The NBA Rookie Combine, and NBA All-Star Weekend. In recognition of this work, Dr. Drazan has won multiple awards including 2nd Place in the 2016 ORS Video Competition, Best Research Paper at the 2017 MIT-Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and the 2020 Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
About the Award
Fred Nelson was a tireless advocate for promoting the basic science research of the ORS for multiple decades. His promotion of the important work performed by ORS members undoubtedly increased the exposure of this research to countless practicing clinicians. Over several decades, Fred wrote and compiled more than 500 Basic Science Tips. Fred was active as an ORS member beginning in 1973, and remained active until his death. This is an impressive achievement for a practicing orthopaedic surgeon. In compiling these tips, he communicated with the authors by phone and email to understand the importance of these basic science studies. Fred felt it was incredibly important that practicing clinicians stay grounded in basic science, and in developing his library of tips he provided an outstanding example of scientific communication.
With the seemingly constant noise of multiple media platforms (traditional, social, etc.), it is important that the ORS recognize excellence in scientific communications. Due to Fred’s lengthy and outstanding record on this, the Scientific Communications Committee (SCC) proposes to name this service award in his memory.
Recognition
A plaque presented to the recipient at the Annual Meeting.
Submission
The type of nomination is in the form of a letter provided by either the candidate, or by a third party nominating the candidate.
Eligibility /Nomination
The nominee must be an ORS member in good standing. Proven record of scientific communication with an emphasis on the previous 3 years.
- A single nomination letter with special emphasis on the nominee’s substantive contributions to Scientific Communication in the general field of orthopaedic research, as well as detail how the candidate meets each of the specific evaluation criteria (2-page limit).
- The nomination letter must include letters of recommendation from at least 2 additional scientists (1-page limit/recommendation letter) describing the breadth and impact of the scientific communication. Bibliographic details and URLs with evidence of the scientific communication must be included within the nomination letter.
Evaluation Criteria
Scientific communication is defined as written or verbal communication of research results beyond the original work. For example, a published abstract or paper would not count as scientific communication, but a podcast or other interview discussing the results of a publication would count as scientific communication. Similarly, written summaries that are disseminated to the broader public would also count as scientific communication. Also, social media dissemination of publications in a manner that both educates and engages a broader audience are also defined as scientific communication.
- Quantity of Scientific Communication
- Letters of recommendation
- Clarity of Scientific Communication
- Breadth of communication
For more information, please contact [email protected].
The Call for Nominations Deadline was October 1, 2024.
*For those submitting nominations who are not ORS members please contact Karey Hyland at [email protected]*
