Exercise Science Student Marine Brissot Wins National Scholar Award
The American Kinesiology Association (AKA) gives a national scholar award to a handful of individuals who are recommended by department faculty. These students show exceptional academic excellence and leadership skills. It’s no wonder that Kinesiology student Marine Brissot was selected for this prestigious honor for CSULB.
Brissot will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Biology this spring. She will be attending Northwestern University’s School of Medicine to pursue her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree starting in the fall. Brissot was a research assistant in the Physiology and Sport Lab while at The Beach, working under Dr. Kurt Escobar, who nominated her for the AKA award.
“Prof. Escobar has helped open so many doors for me; he’s done so much to help and guide me through every single step of everything I do, and I’m super grateful for that,” Brissot says. "I truly think that this award, beyond just reflecting the work I put in, is reflective of all the opportunities the Department of Kinesiology have given me.”
A big takeaway for Brissot during her time at CSULB is that if you want help, and you want to do something big, you will find those opportunities, and you will find people who will support you along the way.
“Every single professor I’ve had in every single class – every kinesiology and biology class and every course I’ve taken -- people have had their doors open to me, and have met me with open arms, and for that I am super grateful.”
Brissot’s first research experience was with biology professor Dr. Rourke in his Comparative Physiology lab, looking at myoglobin in rodent muscles.
“I would say that was kind of my introduction to research – that stuff was fascinating, but I was more interested in human subjects,” Brissot says with a smile. “That’s when I started working with Dr. Escobar.”
Among Brissot’s academic exploits, she was a first author on an abstract published in the International Journal of Exercise Science. She also presented her poster at the 2025 Southwestern American College of Sports Medicine conference. Most recently, she led a study and submitted a thesis on analyzing the effects of creatine supplementation and exercise on glycemic regulation.
The accolades Brissot has accumulated while at The Beach, including being a recipient of the AKA National Scholar Award, recognizes the importance of her contributions to the field of kinesiology as a whole.
“I feel incredibly grateful to be part of an institution who truly cares about supporting students in these ventures,” she said.
When she’s not in the research lab or writing a paper, Brissot finds time to work out at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center and enjoys being active and physically fit. She is also well traveled, speaks French, and is poised to do great things in the physical therapy world. Congratulations, Marine! Bien joué!
