“Injuries obviously change the way you approach the game.”
Brett Favre
My name is Nabeel Mazhar, and I am currently a senior at University High School in Irvine, California. I am deeply passionate about sports medicine and injuries, and have plans to pursue the study of sports rehabilitation and injuries in the future. Throughout the last few years, I have been playing for both my high school varsity team and club team, PSC Combine (UPSL). I also work as a trainer assistant, attending games and practices with the trainer and assisting in wrapping injured athletes and providing ice. In my junior and senior year, I worked as a researcher mentored by Dr. Simin Beg MD, focusing on a holistic approach encompassing nutrition, education, and stress management in preventing and rehabilitating sports injuries.My research extended to investigating new treatments for sports injuries in young teenagers, and, formulating four experiments, I was able to identify two major solutions in nutrition and stress that have the potential to significantly improve injury prevention and recovery strategies. I have additional interests in bioethics and philosophical queries in the medical field. I have taken two college courses at Harvard University on the relevance and application of bioethics, ultimately allowing me to engage with contemporary society in an informed and ethical manner. Also, as an intern at the Chino Vascular and Surgery Center, I explored ethical dilemmas related to resource allocation, amputations, and confidentiality. I witnessed critical decision-making situations where physicians discussed the trade-offs between limb salvage and amputation and the quality of life implications of long-term procedures versus single surgeries. This website, however, is first and foremost a collection of my thoughts and observations about the world of sports injuries and rehabilitation. Thank you for joining me in this endeavor to bridge an athlete’s passion and love for sports with hurdles posed by injuries.
As the Captain of PSC Combine, our achievements in winning the elite bracket of the state cup against 300 teams and securing a remarkable 2nd place position in the national cup, competing against nearly 500 teams, were both momentous and deeply meaningful. These accomplishments were a testament to our collective dedication, hard work, and skill on the field, and my role as Captain allowed me to foster a sense of unity and purpose among our players, which was incredibly rewarding. Furthermore, my qualification for the Developmental Academy Level during my first year with team Pateadores was a challenging and rewarding experience. Continuing into my sophomore, junior, and senior years, I qualified for the United Premier Soccer League with PSC Combine and was selected twice for the ODP (Olympic Player Development) program. In addition to my on-field contributions, my role as Captain of my club team allowed me to take on responsibilities beyond the game. I led warm-ups and organized team meetings, which taught me valuable leadership, teamwork, and communication lessons. Yet, these accomplishments were riddled with challenges. In my Freshman year of high school, I suffered a high ankle sprain, while in my Junior year, I endured a torn patellar tendon. During my freshman year of high school, I encountered a high ankle sprain that tested my resilience, and in my junior year, I faced the daunting challenge of recovering from a torn patellar tendon. These injuries not only tested my physical endurance but also strengthened my determination to overcome adversity. During my time off from soccer, I noticed that several teammates were dealing with minor injuries but were determined to play through the pain, unsure how to alleviate or prevent it, prompting me to design this website in which athletes are able to connect with each other and share their experiences. My passion for sports medicine comes from my experience with soccer and helping other injured athletes. I’ve been fortunate to receive support from my coach, teammates, and medical professionals throughout. I want to give back by learning the human body’s complexities, finding ways to improve athletes’ well-being, and appreciating the beauty and challenges of human physiology and performance.
During my sophomore year, I took part in the Lemelson-MIT program. I had the opportunity to collaborate with Community Lab employees in Boston, engaging in virtual labs and information sessions with professors focused on neurodegenerative diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis. This experience deepened my understanding of these complex conditions and fueled my passion for research in this field. One of the most meaningful aspects of this internship was the independent project I conducted with two classmates on Huntington’s disease. We worked closely with a developer to create an app to assist individuals predisposed to the disease find treatment options and common symptoms. Presenting this project to a diverse audience of 35 Community Lab (Biogen) employees and 4 Ph.D. students was a proud moment, showcasing our commitment to addressing real-world health challenges. In addition to our project, I completed 8 virtual labs that explored biological symptoms and preventive measures related to multiple sclerosis. Moreover, attending three sessions with professors from Boston University and MIT, where we discussed the prevalence and causes of neurodegenerative diseases, broadened my perspective and inspired me to continue my research in this critical area of healthcare. My involvement in researching novel treatments and solutions for various diseases and health issues significantly intensified my desire to enhance athletes’ capacity to recover from their injuries and return to the sports they are passionate about.
