Seeking Support Through The Pain: Injured Athletes' Transparasocial Relationship with Social Media Influencers During Extraordinary Times.

In March of 2025 I had the privilege of traveling to Buffalo, NY for the Eastern Communication Association Conference (ECAC).

The year leading up to this event was spent alongside my co-researcher, Lucy Kratman, and advisor, Professor Melissa Yang.

Lucy and Professor Yang had approached me about a project they were looking to undertake regarding athlete mental health following an injury and their relationship with social media influencers. Knowing my background with injured athletes and my involvement with The Hidden Opponent, Lucy and Professor Yang invited me on board.

We spent over a year researching, drafting, writing, and planning. At the end of the year, we concluded our literature review, titled Seeking Support Through The Pain: Injured Athletes' Transparasocial Relationship with Social Media Influencers During Extraordinary Times.

The literature review was presented at ECAC in 2025.

The project is now in its final stages, and has been passed on to the next cohort of Endicott students to conduct primary research.

This project taught me about hard work, teamwork, dedication, and passion. I would not have traded this experience for anything.