What began as a three-day virtual externship through Rice University’s Owl Edge program grew into a life-changing mentorship, undergraduate research opportunity and a published peer-reviewed journal article for recent graduate Priya Armour.
Armour, who dual-majored in biosciences and sports medicine, credits Owl Edge with introducing her to Rice alumnus Jeff Russell, professor of athletic training and director of Science and Health in Artistic Performance at Ohio University. That connection ultimately led Armour to become second author on a scholarly article examining injuries among dancers in the commercial dance industry.
“I would have never even thought about the world of dance medicine,’ Armour said. “I really didn’t even know that was a thing until I got to know Dr. Russell, and that was all exclusively because of Owl Edge.”
The opportunity arrived in her inbox in 2024.
“I was feeling behind and thought, ‘Might as well give it a shot,’and it kind of just took off from there,” she said.
Russell, a 1981 Rice graduate who has mentored Rice students through externship programs since 2021, said he was drawn to the program because of its potential to help students build meaningful professional connections.
“Here’s an opportunity to do something that seems like it would add value to a bunch of students,” Russell said. “I’m always looking for ways to add value to students and young professionals.”
What impressed him most about Armour was her initiative.
“There’s something different about Priya,” Russell said. “She followed up. A lot of students say they will, but it never happens.”
After the externship ended, Armour stayed in touch. Russell introduced her to professionals in the performing arts medicine field and helped her gain firsthand exposure to healthcare settings that serve dancers.
One of those experiences included a behind-the-scenes visit to the Houston Ballet.
“I got to go to the Houston Ballet, be behind the scenes for a rehearsal of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and work with the athletic trainer on the dancers,” Armour said. “It’s just so interesting to see how much work and dedication they put in.”
The experience sparked a new academic interest.
“Through that, I’ve become interested in dance medicine and in dancers,” Armour said.
Their mentorship eventually evolved into a research collaboration. The resulting manuscript, “Analysing Injuries to Dancers Working in the Commercial Dance Industry,” was accepted for publication in the journal Occupational Medicine,”with Armour listed as second author among five contributors.
“That’s a big accomplishment for an undergraduate student,” Russell said.
Russell said the research provides valuable evidence for performers and health care professionals working in the field.
“This gives them not just ‘what we think is going on,’ but a peer-reviewed, published scientific study that shows what’s actually happening,” he said.
For Armour, the publication is one of many opportunities that grew from a brief externship.
“From that externship, I’ve had all these other amazing opportunities,"”she said. “Those are things that really make me stand out as an applicant and as a professional.”
More importantly, she gained a mentor she expects to have for years to come.
“I would not have him in my life if it wasn’t for Owl Edge,” Armour said. “I consider him my primary mentor, the number one person that I go to when I need advice for everything and anything.”
Russell sees the partnership as an example of what Owl Edge is designed to achieve.
“Owl Edge means you’re giving the Owls the edge,"”he said. “This is really a story of how that process works. And Priya has quickly earned her place in the small handful of the most excellent university students I’ve worked with across more than four decades.”
For Armour, the lesson is simple: seize opportunities when they appear.
“The one that I did was a three-day commitment online,” she said. “And from that, I’ve had all these other amazing opportunities. You might end up participating and realizing that it’s something beyond your wildest dreams.”