For most elite athletes, the penalty spot is a place of singular focus and immense pressure. For Emily Cabral, it is also a laboratory.
The Nova Southeastern University (NSU) senior and Bermuda Women’s National Team standout is proving that her impact on the game extends far beyond the pitch. A former captain of the Bermuda Under 20 side and a key figure in the island’s 2025 Island Games gold medal success, Cabral is now making waves in the world of sports science.
Majoring in Exercise and Sports Science, Cabral has spent her senior year spearheading groundbreaking research alongside mentor Dr. Pradeep Vanguri. Her study dives into the intersection of sports psychology and neuroscience, specifically examining how individual personality traits influence brain activity and focus during high-stakes penalty kicks.
“Research can open your eyes to entirely new fields and perspectives,” says Cabral. “Understanding the 'why' behind performance is just as important as the 'how' on the field.”
Cabral’s journey into the clinical side of sports wasn’t just academic—it was personal. After navigating a grueling ACL rehabilitation process at NSU’s Sports Medicine Clinic, her perspective on athletic health shifted.
Rather than being deterred by the time away from the pitch, she used the experience as a springboard. Now serving as the President of the Exercise Science Student Organization, she has set her sights on a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, with the goal of helping the next generation of athletes return from injury stronger than before.
Whether she is leading Bermuda in international competition or presenting data in the lab, Cabral’s influence is undeniable. Her ability to balance the rigors of NCAA Division II soccer with high-level academic research has marked her as a true pioneer for Bermudian student-athletes.
The Emily Cabral File:
Academic Major: Exercise and Sports Science (Senior)
Role: President, Exercise Science Student Organization
International Honours: Bermuda Senior & U20 National Team, Island Games Gold Medalist (2025)
Next Goal: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
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