Awards of Distinction

Dr. Alan Needle is an associate professor in App State's Department of Public Health and Exercise Science and Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. He has taught at the university since 2013.

Needle has been awarded nearly $200,000 in internal and external grant funding for research in sports medicine — particularly the impacts of ligament injuries on the nervous system. He aims to apply his findings toward therapies that clinicians can use to reduce reinjury risks and improve quality of life. Needle has published over 50 manuscripts at App State and has presented 60 scientific and invited presentations at regional, national and international conferences.

One of Needle's nominators said, "Dr. Needle has established himself as a nationally and internationally known scholar in his field" who is "sought out by professional journals and organizations," which "speaks to the sustained and high-quality work that Dr. Needle produces."

Needle's other accolades include a 2020 UNC Board of Governors School/College Award, the 2021 Beaver College of Health Sciences Research and Scholarly Endeavors Award and the 2024 Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award from the Williams Graduate School.

Needle holds a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Boston University, as well as a master's degree in exercise science and a doctorate in biomechanics and movement science from the University of Delaware.