Dr. Laura Murray is Associate Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences and a Professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Western University. She has taught courses on aging and neurogenic communication disorders. Research interests include examining how cognitive deficits (e.g. attention) interact with language abilities in aphasia, right hemisphere disorders, or progressive neurological diseases as well as developing assessments and treatments that consider these cognitive deficits.

Keren Kankam is a PhD candidate in the Health and Rehabilitation program (Speech and Language Science) at the University of Western Ontario, as well as a Communicative Disorders Assistant. Keren´s research focuses on examining current practices and identifying ways to improve speech and language services for individuals with acquired brain injuries in low- and middle-income African countries.

Hello IBIA attendees! My name is Brooke and I'm an OT by training. I manage the Brain Injury Program at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Lincoln and Omaha Nebraska. I've been treating pediatric and adult survivors of moderate and severe brain injury for 15 years. My passion area of practice is Disorders of Consciousness and participate in the IBIA DoC SIG and ACRM DoC Task Force. I also co-chair the Campaign to Cure Coma Care of the Coma Patient Work Group. Looking for anyone interested in participating in Campaign projects!! Reach out to me if you are interested.

Samantha Trausch, PT, DPT, Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy, Certified Brain Injury Specialist, is a clinical physical therapist and inpatient brain injury program leader at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in Lincoln, Nebraska. Dr. Trausch graduated from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences and began working at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals in 2018, In addition to clinical practice, her professional roles include brain injury program data collection, analysis of program outcomes, and program development and improvement projects. She has clinical interests including brain injury, stroke, disorders of consciousness, as well as pain management, and strives to improve patient care and comfort across diagnoses.

Justine Nadon is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in neuropsychology at the Université du Québec à Montréal under the supervision of Professor Marie-Julie Potvin, neuropsychologist. Her research focuses on practical judgment and problem-solving abilities in the context of everyday life following a moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBIs). Justine is currently working on the validation of a new tool that assesses these abilities. In addition, she is exploring the impact of different variables on practical judgment.

Breanna is a 4th-year PhD candidate in the University of British Columbia's Experimental Medicine Program. Her research has focused on the effects of COVID-19 illness on the brain, cognitive performance, and health outcomes.

Dawn Neumann, PhD, FACRM is a tenured Associate Professor at the University of South Florida in the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair. She has a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from SUNY Buffalo, NY and her MA in Psychology from Rutgers, NJ. Her research aims to advance the understanding and treatment of social cognition and emotion dysregulation deficits after traumatic brain injury. She serves on the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation editorial review board, and has received several recognitions, including the ACRM Deborah Wilkerson Award, ACRM Mitchell Rosenthal Award, and the Joshua Cantor Scholar Award.

I am currently pursuing my Ph.D. Research and Intervention in Neuropsychology at the Université de Montréal. I hold an Honours Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Neuroscience, where my honour thesis focused on the facilitators of digital technology use in pediatric hospital settings and rehabilitation centers.

I am currently conducting my research in the ABCs Laboratory, which specializes in mild traumatic brain injuries in young children and social cognition. For my doctoral thesis, I am investigating the application of virtual reality tools in social cognition.

Derek is a Master's candidate at McGill University in the Integrated Program in Neuroscience. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Behavioural Neuroscience from Concordia University in 2023, where he focused on multimodal neuroimaging techniques to investigate the functional dynamics of the brain. Derek’s research interests include computational and cognitive neuroscience, machine learning, consciousness studies, and philosophy of mind. Derek's research explores fractal properties and critical dynamics of brain networks to develop a diagnostic and prognostic tool for unresponsive patients in coma and individuals with disorders of consciousness. This research leverages high-density EEG technology and machine learning to study the dynamics of general anesthesia and disorders of consciousness to understand brain function and improve patient care in critical medical contexts.

Hùng M. Nguyễn is currently a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences at Laval University (Canada). He completed his PhD at the same university, where his research was on patient and public participation in the decision-making process at a health technology assessment agency. His postdoctoral work focuses on participatory research, using intergenerational activities to support the social participation of individuals aging with traumatic brain injury.

Sophie (she/her) holds a B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Florida and a M.A. in Speech Language Pathology from The Ohio State University. She has worked as a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) in underserved schools and as a research SLP for infants who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sophie is currently pursuing a PhD in Speech and Hearing Science, her research interests include the linkage between language, and behavioral health, as well as long term outcomes of children with cognitive-communication disorders.

Anne Norup is an associate professor at the Department of Neuroscience and is head of Knowledge and Research Centre for Neurorehabilitation, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. Anne Norup has worked as a clinician and researcher within neurorehabilitation for many years. Most of her published research has examined the impact of traumatic brain injury on the family, needs and burdens in the family after brain injury, psychosocial effects of TBI in adolescents and s current and ongoing research interest is fatigue after brain injury and exploring possible interventions.

Setareh Nouri Zadeh - Teharani, is a master of science student in the School of Health and Exercise Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Her research focuses on better understanding the relationship between brain injury and cognitive functions in women experiencing intimate partner violence.

My research takes a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of exercise on cognitive, brain, and general health outcomes, following a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), across the lifespan. I aim to identify novel interventions utilizing exercise, and potentially cognitive training, to enhance cognitive function, such as executive function and memory, in individuals who’ve been cognitively impaired as a result of mTBI. My background in athletics, neuroscience, psychology provides a basis for my interdisplinary research focus. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, I pursued a professional basketball career where I played overseas for two years. Upon retirement, I pursued a Master of Science degree in neuroscience that focused mainly on the physiology and anatomy of the brain, in addition to clinical neurology, neuroimaging, and ethics. I would later become a research technician in the Cognitive and Brain Health Lab at Northeastern University, where I administered cognitive batteries, MRI protocols, physical function tests, cardiorespiratory fitness tests, and electroencephalography (EEG) in children and older adults. Currently, I am involved in two funded clinical trials investigating how aerobic exercise interventions changes cognitive and brain health following a traumatic brain injury. My comprehensive background provides an interdisciplinary perspective across several research questions on brain structure and function as well as cognition. As a young researcher this provides the necessary foundation for my exploration of the mechanisms underlying mTBI rehabilitation with the goal of improving quality of life and executive function across the lifespan.

Katy O’Brien, PhD CCC-SLP, is a Senior Scientific Advisor with the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Georgia in the department of Communication Sciences and Special Education. As a speech-language pathologist, she has clinical experience with people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) across the spectrum of recovery, from intensive care through outpatient rehabilitation and community re-entry. Her research addresses cognitive rehabilitation, psychosocial adjustment, and return to productivity after brain injury, with a particular focus on how communication and written language impact participation across settings. She also examines knowledge translation and implementation of clinical practice guidelines for management of communication and cognitive changes following brain injury. Dr. O’Brien served on the Commission for the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International Standards Advisory Committee to develop accreditation guidelines for Concussion Management programs. She is also a member of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, serving as faculty for their Cognitive Rehabilitation Training as well as their Neuroplasticity and Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System Task Forces.

Nikoleta is a second-year PhD student at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto in Canada. Nikoleta's PhD research focuses on the return to play experiences for younger children following concussion. Nikoleta is also an occupational therapist who practices clinically in the emergency department of a trauma centre.

Dr. Therese O’Neil-Pirozzi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northeastern University and is research faculty in the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Harvard Medical School Traumatic Brain Injury Model System in Boston Massachusetts. Dr. O’Neil-Pirozzi is a skilled and experienced speech-language pathologist and clinical researcher who has worked with individuals with neurological disorders for more than 25 years. She is known internationally as the author/co-author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, spanning a broad range of topic areas including assessment and treatment of cognitive-communication deficits post-acquired brain injury, care for caregivers, neuroplasticity, and brain health. Dr. O’Neil-Pirozzi has contributed to a number of evidence-based practice guidelines supported by the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders & Sciences, is a frequent collaborator of the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, and is a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Brain Injury Council member.

Josh Orson is a Peer Support Specialist with St. Michael's Hospital working in the Mental Health Unit. He has worked alongside reputed clinicians Dr. Shree Bhalerao, Dr. Shweta Aswani and Dr. Anil Dosaj. Their first collaboration looked at Educating and Implementing a Music Therapy Program for an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit: A quality improvement approach by a peer support worker - which was accepted at Donald Wasylenki Education Day 2024 and RTC Research Day 2024. Josh has joined them in their work in the St. Michael's Head Injury Clinic for their study on women with traumatic brain injury to create a repository of themes for future knowledge translation activities.

I am a dedicated third-year medical student at the University of Montreal, with a strong focus on research, training, and academic mentorship. Throughout my medical studies, I have actively contributed to research projects aimed at advancing medical knowledge, while simultaneously engaging in teaching initiatives to foster the growth of fellow students. With great enthusiasm, I am looking forward to presenting my findings at the International Brain Injury Association in the upcoming year, where I aim to spark meaningful dialogue.

Berno Overbeek is elderly care physician and working as PhD candidate with focus on diagnosis, prevalence, and characteristics of in a Minimally Conscious State the Netherlands. He is also consultant for the mobile expert team patients with a PDOC on a regular basis.

Berno Overbeek is elderly care physician and working as PhD candidate with focus on diagnosis, prevalence, and characteristics of patients in a Minimally Concious State in the Netherlands. He is also consultant for the mobile expert team for patients with a prolonged disorder of consciousness (PDOC) on a regular basis.

Adrian M. Owen OBE, FRS, FRSC, FCAHS, PhD is currently a Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging in the Departments of Physiology & Pharmacology and Psychology at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He has just completed his term directing the Brain, Mind, and Consciousness program funded by the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and is on the Executive Committee of the CFREF funded initiative BrainsCAN at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Dr. Owen was previously the Assistant Director of the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at Cambridge University and the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at Western University. His research combines structural and functional neuroimaging with neuropsychological studies of brain-injured patients and has been published in many of the world’s leading scientific journals, including Science, Nature, The New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet. Dr. Owen has played multiple editorial roles, including 8 years as Deputy Editor of The European Journal of Neuroscience. He has published over 400 peer-reviewed articles and chapters and a best-selling popular science book ‘Into the Gray Zone: A Neuroscientist Explores the Border Between Life and Death. Dr. Owen was awarded Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Honors List, 2019, for services to scientific research. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (FRSC) in 2022, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2023 and a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2024.

Dimitri is a postdoctoral fellow at the Montreal Neurological Institute at McGill University. He previously completed his doctoral training in neuroscience at Western University, under the supervision of Prof. Paul Gribble. His research has focused primarily on understanding the neural basis of adaptive motor control and motor learning using behavioral, electrophysiological, pharmacological, and human lesion methods. Recently, his work focuses on the development of technological tools to augment motor learning and motivation during motor neurorehabilitation.

Dr. Panchik is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at Elizabethtown College. He holds a Doctor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (Hand Rehabilitation Tract) from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and an MS degree in Occupational Therapy from the Medical College of Virginia. He is certified in Adult Neurodevelopmental Techniques and a Lymphedema Therapist by the Lymphology Association of North America. Dr. Panchik is co-author of the Hand Assessment Tool (HAT) published in the Journal of Hand Therapy. He works on motor control assessment and intervention using real-time motion capture technology with the Engineering Department at Elizabethtown College.

Monique R. Pappadis, MEd, PhD, FACRM, is a tenured Associate Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Population Health and Health Disparities at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston. Dr. Pappadis is also an Investigator and the Director of Dissemination and Cultural Humility at TIRR Memorial Hermann’s Brain Injury Research Center in Houston, Texas. Her research aims to advance health equity and decrease ethnic minority health disparities, particularly among persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or stroke, as well as improve care transitions and continuity of care following acute and post-acute care. Her recent work aims to improve screening for elder mistreatment with emphasis on vulnerable, older adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, as well as the intersection between elder mistreatment and TBI. She has a continued interest in minority aging, gender/sex disparities in rehabilitation, health literacy of patients and caregivers, and psychosocial adjustment to disability. She serves on a number of national committees and working groups, such as the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), Pink Concussions, the Moody-Galveston Brain Injury Conference - Social and Health Disparities, the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke (NINDS), and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). She is recognized nationally for her professional service, contributions to the medical rehabilitation field, and mentorship of scholars in the US and abroad.

Dr. Parrott is an Associate Professor for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Indiana University School of Medicine specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury research.

Bianca Perry is a master's student in Dr. Chantel Debert's Brain Neurorehabilitation Lab. Bianca graduated from Toronto Metropolitan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Biology where she completed a research practicum at the Hull-Ellis Concussion Rehabilitation and Research Clinic under Dr. Paul Comper's supervision. Her research interests include examining prognostic indicators of returning to work in adults presenting to the emergency department with a concussion.

Dr. Peters is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He holds dual appointments in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neurology. He completed his medical school training, psychiatry residency, and neuropsychiatry fellowship at Hopkins before joining the faculty. He is the Director of Clinical Services for Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

An active clinician, teacher, and researcher, Dr. Peters sees patients in the Acquired Brain Injury Clinic and Memory and Alzheimer’s Treatment Center at Johns Hopkins Bayview. He has been internationally recognized for his research work and has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. His research focuses on cognitive and other neuropsychiatric symptoms following traumatic brain injury with a specific focus on traumatic brain injury in older adults, neuroimaging-based biomarkers, and non-pharmacologic treatment approaches.

I am currently in my third year of a PhD in Neuropsychology, with a research-intervention focus, at the Université du Québec à Montréal, under the supervision of Dr. Marie-Julie Potvin. My journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, which deepened my passion for research and prepared me for graduate studies.

In 2020, I joined the competitive Honours Thesis program, developing a research project under Dr. Marie-France Marin’s guidance, and soon after joined her STEAM Lab, contributing to studies on anxiety and cognitive correlates in youth. I continued building my expertise through a NSERC undergraduate research grant in psychoneuroendocrinology, inspiring my current project on stress hormones and brain injury recovery. Today, as a member of Dr. Potvin’s lab, I’m dedicated to advancing my skills and pursuing a research career in neuroscience. Because of my hard work I received doctoral scholarship from FRQ-S and SSHRC, with the goal of conducting research on the influences of stress and sex on recovery following traumatic brain injury.

Clinical psychology doctoral student focused on health, rehabilitation, and neuropsychology, with a particular emphasis on the complex associations between physical injury, psychological trauma, and the adjustment and coping processes. Primary interests include positive psychological interventions, resilience, and post-traumatic growth as pathways to recovery, holistic well-being, and enhanced quality of life.

Dr. Pinto is an Associate Professor in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and O’Donnell Clinical Neuroscience Scholar at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX, USA. She completed her medical education at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School as part of the Physician Scientist Training Program. She completed residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) in 2016, where she received the Excellence in Brain Injury Medicine award, followed by fellowship in Brain Injury Medicine at UPMC in 2017. She received her Masters of Science in Clinical Science from University of Texas Southwestern in May 2024. She serves as co-project director for the North Texas Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems site, and she is funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to study the link between autonomic nervous system dysfunction, cerebrovascular autoregulation impairments, and outcomes after traumatic brain injury.

Frédérique Poncet, PhD, occupational therapist, is an institutional researcher at the Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay of the CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'île-de-Montréal (CCOMTL). She is affiliated with the School of Optometry at Université de Montréal and the School of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy at McGill University.
Her research interests focus on (i) ecological assessments of people with acquired brain injuries who have cognitive (executive function) and/or neurovisual (e.g. visuo-spatial hemineglect) disorders (ii) the development, documentation and evaluation of innovative interventions aimed at improving activities and participation, particularly in the area of food literacy. She also supports research projects initiated by CCOMTL clinicians and managers.

Jennie Ponsford, AO, BA(Hons), MA(Clin Neuropsych), PhD, MAPsS, FCCN is Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor of Neuropsychology in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University. She is Director of the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre at Epworth Healthcare. Over 44 years she has conducted clinical work and research with individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), investigating outcomes and the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions, with over 500 publications, including two books. She is Past-President of the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), International Association for Study of TBI and Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment. She has received the Robert Moody prize for Distinguished Initiatives in Brain Injury and Rehabilitation (2013), INS Paul Satz Career Mentoring Award (2015), IBIA Jennett Plum Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement in Brain Injury Medicine (2023) Australian Psychological Society Award of Distinction in Psychological Science. and in 2017 was made Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished contributions to neuropsychology and diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of TBI. In 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 she was named as Australia’s leading researcher in Rehabilitation Therapy. She serves on editorial boards of seven journals and is an Associate Editor of Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Jennie Ponsford, AO, BA(Hons), MA(Clin Neuropsych), PhD, MAPsS, FCCN is Professor of Neuropsychology in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University, where she established and directed the doctoral training program in Clinical Neuropsychology 2000-2019. She is Director of the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre at Epworth Healthcare. Over 42 years she has conducted clinical work and research with individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), investigating outcomes and the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions, with over 500 publications, including two books. She is Past-President of the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), International Association for Study of TBI and Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment. She has received the Robert Moody prize for Distinguished Initiatives in Brain Injury and Rehabilitation (2013), INS Paul Satz Career Mentoring Award (2015), IBIA Jennett Plum Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement in Brain Injury Medicine (2023) and in 2017 was made Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished contributions to neuropsychology and diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of TBI. In 2020, 2022 and 2023 The Australian’ named her as Australia’s leading researcher in the field of Rehabilitation Therapy. She serves on editorial boards of seven journals and is an Associate Editor of Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Jennie Ponsford, AO, BA(Hons), MA(Clin Neuropsych), PhD, MAPsS, FCCN is Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor of Neuropsychology in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University. She is Director of the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre at Epworth Healthcare. Over 44 years she has conducted clinical work and research with individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), investigating outcomes and the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions, with over 500 publications, including two books. She is Past-President of the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), International Association for Study of TBI and Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment. She has received the Robert Moody prize for Distinguished Initiatives in Brain Injury and Rehabilitation (2013), INS Paul Satz Career Mentoring Award (2015), IBIA Jennett Plum Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement in Brain Injury Medicine (2023) Australian Psychological Society Award of Distinction in Psychological Science. and in 2017 was made Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished contributions to neuropsychology and diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of TBI. In 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 she was named as Australia’s leading researcher in Rehabilitation Therapy. She serves on editorial boards of seven journals and is an Associate Editor of Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Jennie Ponsford, AO, BA(Hons), MA(Clin Neuropsych), PhD, MAPsS, FCCN is Professor of Neuropsychology in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University. She is Director of the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre at Epworth Healthcare. Over 44 years she has conducted clinical work and research with individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), investigating outcomes and the efficacy of rehabilitative interventions, with over 500 publications, including two books. She is Past-President of the International Neuropsychological Society (INS), International Association for Study of TBI and Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment. She has received the Robert Moody prize for Distinguished Initiatives in Brain Injury and Rehabilitation (2013), INS Paul Satz Career Mentoring Award (2015), IBIA Jennett Plum Award for Outstanding Clinical Achievement in Brain Injury Medicine (2023) Australian Psychological Society Award of Distinction in Psychological Science. and in 2017 was made Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished contributions to neuropsychology and diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of TBI. In 2020, 2022 and 2023 The Australian’ named her as Australia’s leading researcher in the field of Rehabilitation Therapy. She serves on editorial boards of seven journals and is an Associate Editor of Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society.

Emilie Potts is currently completing her PhD in Biomedical Engineering, with a focus in impact biomechanics, specifically examining head impacts in mice and their applicability to human applications. Her research aims to enhance our understanding of how engineering properties involved in impacts affect the post injury biological repercussions, with a particular interest in the effects of sex differences. Emilie earned her Master of Engineering (MEng) in Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) from Western University, specializing in Engineering in Medicine, and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Guelph.

I was a widely experienced clinician with an extensive and varied career, training in nephrology, general medicine, anesthesia and critical care, before becoming Head of Intensive Care Unit in 2008. I had a wide-ranging portfolio of publications over a breadth of topics and authored original collaborative international research. In 2018, I suffered a near fatal head injury while cycling. In the past five years, I have worked across a broad range of mentorship and patient advocacy roles while recovering from my trauma. While my injuries preclude me from working clinically, I am now a research fellow at Monash University, Melbourne where I provide a patient's perspective on many aspects of the rehabilitation work undertaken by Professor Jennie Ponsford and her team. I have authored newspaper, medical journal and blog posts covering many aspects of my journey and have produced podcasts that address some of the experiences of brain injury patients. I am also involved with Headway, the brain injury association in the UK and will be speaking at their annual fund-raising event in September. I am a committed, enthusiastic, experienced speaker who undertakes regular radio work and social media commentary.

Kyla is a fifth year PhD Candidate in Exercise Science at the University of Toronto. She is also the Lab Manager of the Centre for Sport-Related Concussion Research, Innovation, and Knowledge where she has studied and researched various populations following concussion. Kyla also completed her Master of Science degree at the University of Toronto. Kyla’s current research focus is on the physiological effects, management/rehabilitation, and prognosis of sport-related concussions.

Enrico is a postdoctoral fellow at Baylor Scott & White Health who completed his PhD in the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto and Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, where he co-created, implemented, and evaluated a community-based physical activity program for adults with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) that was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). He obtained an MA in Adapted Physical Activity from McGill University and a BEd from Concordia University. Enrico has been working as an advocate for TBI awareness and health since 2008, and was featured as a global hero in 2020, winner of the 2019 SSHRC Storyteller Competition, and 2018 Change-Maker Award by the Neurological Health Charities of Canada.

Jana Quinting is a lecturer and researcher specializing in acquired language and communication disorders, with a full-time academic role at the University of Cologne. She is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with expertise in acquired brain injury (ABI) and neurorehabilitation, particularly in the areas of social cognition and pragmatics/communication. Her current research focuses on digital health solutions, with a focus on virtual reality (VR) applications, including co-design/PPIE.

Jana Quinting is a lecturer and researcher specializing in acquired language and communication disorders, with a full-time academic role at the University of Cologne. She is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist with expertise in acquired brain injury (ABI) and neurorehabilitation, particularly in the areas of social cognition and pragmatics/communication. Her current research focuses on digital health solutions, with a focus on virtual reality (VR) applications, including co-design/PPIE.

Petra Avramović is a lecturer, early career researcher, and certified practicing speech pathologist. She has experience in clinical and research settings with a variety of populations, with particular focus in working with people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Her PhD research aimed to collaboratively develop a novel digital health communication partner training program with people with TBI. Her research in co-designing cognitive-communication interventions with key stakeholders, has laid the groundwork for the development of the Social Brain Toolkit, a suite of tools to support people with ABI and their communication partners have positive and successful conversations and social media experiences.

Dr. Sandra Rakers is a Health care psychologist specializing as a Clinical Neuropsychologist and postdoctoral researcher at the Neuropsychology department of the University Medical Center Groningen. She combines this with her work as an assistant professor at the University of Groningen.

Amy E. Ramage's research, teaching, and clinical interests center on the neurologic bases of cognition and emotion as they interact with communication competence. Her research group, the Cognition, Brain and Language Team (CoBALT) studies the association between impairments of cognition, emotion & language in acquired brain injury and the brain systems that underlie them. The objective is to identify variables (biomarkers or behaviors) that contribute to the dysfunction of brain systems and to determine their value as predictors of outcomes. The long-term goal of this work is to understand whether these predictors may be targeted and optimized in treatments effecting change in these neural systems.

Hannah Wright is a student physical therapist. Hannah is a second year in Elon University's Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, located in North Carolina.

Dr. Ransom is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and subspecialist in pediatric neuropsychology in the Institute for Brain Protection Sciences at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Dr. Ransom leads the inpatient and ambulatory traumatic brain injury neuropsychology consultation service and co-leads the Multidisciplinary Concussion Clinic. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Ransom co-leads the Concussion Initiative Lab at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Her multidisciplinary research investigates precision health paradigms to optimize recovery from concussion. Dr. Ransom is a fellow of the Sports Neuropsychology Society, where she also serves on the Executive Board. She is a neuropsychological consultant to the National Hockey League and the National Football League and is a lead investigator with the Johns Hopkins/INDYCAR research collaboration. As a former collegiate varsity athlete who now chases around two kiddos in her free time, Dr. Ransom is an advocate for safe play and lifelong participation in sport.

Mari Storli Rasmussen is a physical therapist and researcher at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Oslo University Hospital. Additionally, she holds an associate professorship at the Department of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology at Oslo Metropolitan University. Her primary research focuses on rehabilitation following trauma, encompassing functional outcomes, quality of life, and coping mechanisms post-trauma. She also investigates rehabilitation needs and the associated costs of health and rehabilitation services.

Johanne Rauwenhoff is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Psychology at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway. She is a member of the Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (CNL), the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) group, and the Norwegian Centre for Headache Research. She completed her doctoral research at Maastricht University, the Netherlands in the Limburg Brain Injury Expertise Centre. Her research focuses on the consequences of acquired brain injury and concussion. She studies psychological interventions to improve outcomes for individuals affected by such injuries.

Johanne Rauwenhoff is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Psychology at NTNU in Trondheim, Norway. She is a member of the Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory (CNL), the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) group, and the Norwegian Centre for Headache Research. She completed her doctoral research at Maastricht University, the Netherlands in the Limburg Brain Injury Expertise Centre. Her research focuses on the consequences of acquired brain injury and concussion. She studies psychological interventions and mHealth solutions to improve outcomes for individuals affected by such injuries.

Mike Redgers holds a diverse and robust academic background, with degrees in Psychology and Sociology, a Master's degree in Education, and an mMBA. With extensive experience in the mental health field, Mike has developed a unique expertise in addressing complex health needs, particularly in the realm of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) rehabilitation. His multidisciplinary approach allows for a deep understanding of both individual psychological needs and the broader societal factors affecting health outcomes. In his professional role, Mike has been instrumental in advancing healthcare policies and developing community-based programs that integrate brain injury services, mental health, and addictions. Known for his strategic vision, collaborative spirit, and commitment to improving public health, Mike continues to make significant contributions to Ontario's healthcare landscape.

of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto, and an adjunct scientist with the Bloorview Research Institute at Holland Bloorivew Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. He currently holds the Canada Research Chair (Tier 2) in Pediatric Concussion.

His research focuses on developing, evaluating and implementing clinical and educational programming to best support children and youth with concussion, along with those involved in their lives.

In addition to his research and clinical work, Dr. Reed has lived a life immersed in competitive sport, and more specifically, competitive contact sport. Playing competitive lacrosse from the age of five, he has participated at all levels of the sport and has spent 12 years coaching minor lacrosse within the Toronto area.

Dr. Reed’s passion is helping kids do the things they need, want and love to do.

Jennifer has a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa. As a Research Associate at the CHEO-Research Institute in Ottawa, Canada, and the Guideline Developer for the Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion, Jennifer works with a team of over 45 concussion experts from Canada and the US to ensure that all recommendations and tools within the Living Guideline are up to date and reflect expert consensus. Jennifer also co-leads the new patient engagement committee for Dr. Roger Zemek's TRANSCENDENT Concussion Research Program and specializes in knowledge translation and mobilization.

Zane Grossinger is a second-year medical student at the University of Galway in Ireland. He received his Master of Science at the Rehabilitation Science Institute at the University of Toronto and graduated from Queen's University with an honours bachelor of science degree in kinesiology with distinction. Zane was introduced to research through his completion of a research internship and an undergraduate thesis during his undergraduate degree. Zane completed his master's degree as a member of the Oak Concussion Lab under the supervision of Dr. Nick Reed. His research involved exploration of the experiences of youth facing barriers to positive development who have sustained a concussion to understand what constitutes meaning social support during recovery. Zane's research was supported through the Ontario Graduate Scholarship which he received in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic school years. Zane has a passion for understanding the psychosocial aspects of concussion and ensuring all individuals have a successful recovery from a concussion injury.