My Research My key areas of expertise.

Traumatic brain injury

My work focuses on understanding the chronic cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial outcomes following traumatic brain injury (TBI) – with an emphasis on exploring both healthy aging and dementia and neurodegeneration after TBI.

This has included work characterizing the living experience of TBI decades after injury, as well as quantifying trajectories of cognitive and emotional outcomes. I have also explored factors that may shape these trajectories over time, providing evidence for the importance of age, psychological and medical health, resilience, cognitive reserve, and genetic factors. I am now further expanding this work to also include epigenetic factors, as well as environmental and systemic factors to investigate how these may influence variation in long-term outcomes.

A second stream of research has explored biological signatures of long-term outcomes using MRI and PET imaging modalities, and more recently, blood-based protein biomarkers in chronic TBI.

In addition to these major streams of research, I have been fortunate to collaborate on a large scope of diverse research in TBI, providing me with a unique and impressive knowledge base including: characterization and management of post-traumatic amnesia; neurobehavioral disturbance focusing on challenging behaviors; pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of neurobehavioral disturbance and psychological health; and acute cognitive and psychological outcomes.

Clinical Research

I have developed several clinical research projects from the ground-up. This includes cross-sectional and longitudinal observational studies as well as clinical trials. I have led all aspects of these studies from recruitment to project management through to data analysis and dissemination. I have expertise in IRB/HREC submissions and modifications, trial design, survey design, recruitment and retention strategies, development of study materials including consent forms, data collection, and analysis. My projects have involved MRI, PET, blood collection, neuropsychological and psychological assessments.

I pride myself on providing all research participants with an enjoyable and meaningful research experience. I have co-developed a suicidality risk management assessment to provide participants with needed resources.

I have recently incorporated co-design methodologies into my work, and am passionate about including TBI survivors as partners in my research.

Academic Skills

I have developed several clinical research projects from the ground-up. This includes cross-sectional and longitudinal observational studies as well as clinical trials. I have led all aspects of these studies from recruitment to project management through to data analysis and dissemination. I have expertise in IRB/HREC submissions and modifications, trial design, survey design, recruitment and retention strategies, development of study materials including consent forms, data collection, and analysis. My projects have involved MRI, PET, blood collection, neuropsychological and psychological assessments.

I pride myself on providing all research participants with an enjoyable and meaningful research experience. I have co-developed a suicidality risk management assessment to provide participants with needed resources.

I have recently incorporated co-design methodologies into my work, and am passionate about including TBI survivors as partners in my research.