For nearly two decades, the Loughborough University Professor has sought ways to apply sports science to Para-athletes who have been training for the international stage.

At Beijing 2008 she led a team of sports scientists and healthcare experts, known as the Beijing Acclimatisation Group, in an attempt to ensure athletes were prepared.

Goosey-Tolfrey, named winner of the prize back in July, also delivered a keynote address at the conference scheduled to conclude today.

Titled "Pushing from Atlanta to Rio: Reflections of my Practitioner and Research Journey", Goosey-Tolfrey reflected on her professional activities since attending Atlanta 1996, highlighting key individuals who have supported the development of her research portfolio since then.

"I am overwhelmed by the award," she said.

"This journey for me has been all about teamwork and sharing knowledge."

Goosey-Tolfrey was a member of the IPC Medical and Scientific Committee from 2005 to 2010 and currently acts as a sport science consultant for both Great Britain wheelchair rugby and triathlon.

First presented in 2005, the biennial IPC Paralympic Scientific Award recognises the work of one academic researcher for their contribution to research in the field of sports for persons with an impairment.

The accolade acknowledges and rewards the work of researchers and serves to promote and encourage further study and enhance the quality of work in this area.

Those who submit nominations are IPC members, IPC Governing Board members, Sport Technical Committees, IPC Standing Committees and Councils. 

The IPC can also accept additional candidates outside of nominations received from its membership, and therefore may call for nominations from the wider academic, scientific community.

The theme of this year’s VISTA Conference - organised through a partnership between the IPC, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario - is "Opportunities and Challenges in Paralympic Sport Science and Sport Medicine Support".

"This is the biggest VISTA ever," Andrew Parsons, the newly-elected President of the IPC, said. 

"The IPC Sport Science Committee has put together a very strong programme and so far it has been absolutely fascinating."