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Auburn University’s Warrior Research Center is committed to serving tactical athletes, with a heavy focus on developing solutions for injury prevention, recovery, nutrition and mental health for the United States military. For the past week and a half, a researcher for that center has been using the skills he’s learned there as well as in the National Guard to help those in southeast Georgia affected by Hurricane Helene.

Daniel Lawson, a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Kinesiology in Auburn’s College of Education, is a member of the Georgia Army National Guard Company B, 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. His infantry battalion was activated Saturday, Sept. 28, to help with clean up efforts.

“It’s surreal to witness a natural disaster unfold on the news and then, within 24 hours, be mobilized into the very areas affected,” Lawson said. “The magnitude of the damage here in southeast Georgia—places like Swainsboro and Soperton—is overwhelming, yet the experience of being part of the response is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career in the Georgia Army National Guard. As Guardsmen, we willingly put our civilian careers, our families and our personal lives on hold to answer the call to serve.”

Lawson said it’s a privilege to give back to communities that truly need assistance and help them on the road to recovery. His work has varied by day depending on the greatest needs.

“Working side by side with local residents and first responders, we’ve cleared roads, ensured access to critical areas and helped displaced families return home after being away since the hurricane,” he said. “It’s the professionalism and relentless dedication of the soldiers in my battalion that makes all of this possible. Their ability to work tirelessly, often under difficult conditions, has been instrumental in restoring these communities.”

He said that while the impact he and his unit have made is substantial, it’s equally important to recognize the gratitude and support they received from the communities they are serving.  

“I’m incredibly proud of our unit and the positive impact we’re having, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside these soldiers in such a meaningful way,” he said. “The bonds formed through this shared experience are a testament to the dedication we all have to our state and our nation.”

As of Oct. 7, Lawson remains deployed and his unit is currently staging for Hurricane Milton, which could take them to Florida depending on the hurricane’s trajectory. 

When Lawson returns to Auburn, he will continue work on developing BOLT, a comprehensive performance initiative for military service members attending Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. That work includes screening more than 500 service members to create the first phase of a plan that can improve service members’ quality of life and professional performance.